Best C5 Shocks
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I really like my PFADT race engineering shocks. I've ran them for almost a year and regularly push the car. No issues, awesome customer service too.
I'm also running their sways, also great. Hyperco springs next.
I'm also running their sways, also great. Hyperco springs next.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
My next shocks will be Viking coilovers but they make double adjustable non-coilover shocks that you can adjust from Grandma ride to Mario Andretti to John Force. Do yourself a favor and look em up. Price is very good for this kind of shock. The Viking brand started in 2009 and they're ex-QA employees. USA made (Minnesota), billet shocks. Good stuff and a very good product. There is some reviews of them here on CF as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
If the shocks are rattling something isn't right. As I said before, my Bilstein sports have been on my car for 8+ years now actually (went in spring of 2007) and have never rattled.
Koni's are probably the best you can get without going coil over. That comes at a price premium however.
Koni's are probably the best you can get without going coil over. That comes at a price premium however.
I think the Bilstein Sport shocks are too harsh for the street. At least on my car. It's great on the freeway or really smooth roads, but anything slightly rough and the suspension feels harsh. On big rises in the road, my butt has actually lifted off the seat. I really don't like these shocks for daily driving.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Santa Ana CA
Alright gents,
First I want to say thanks to all of the commentors. You guys are the best. I have been away and dealing with some personal stuff.
Unfortunately my car does have the Selective Ride. So what are my options then? I have Hotchkis sways, poly bushings, metal endlinks and I am also going to install poly motor and tranny mounts. Plus a good set of tires. I'm looking for best route to go with the big PITA that Selective Ride is. Can you just turn it off and go with the Bilsteins? I don't need adjustability. I just need a FLAT ride in the corners.
Thanks again, you all make a new member feel special haha
First I want to say thanks to all of the commentors. You guys are the best. I have been away and dealing with some personal stuff.
Unfortunately my car does have the Selective Ride. So what are my options then? I have Hotchkis sways, poly bushings, metal endlinks and I am also going to install poly motor and tranny mounts. Plus a good set of tires. I'm looking for best route to go with the big PITA that Selective Ride is. Can you just turn it off and go with the Bilsteins? I don't need adjustability. I just need a FLAT ride in the corners.
Thanks again, you all make a new member feel special haha
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
f45 selective ride
Yes it can be turned off with a Tech 2 scanner. Here is a good link describing the procedure:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-tech2.html
A Chevrolet dealer most likely will not do this due to the safety liability, but there are a lot of shops and individuals with Tech 2s. Hope this helps and good luck with your mods.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ing-tech2.html
A Chevrolet dealer most likely will not do this due to the safety liability, but there are a lot of shops and individuals with Tech 2s. Hope this helps and good luck with your mods.
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 669
Likes: 14
From: Santa Cruz CA
Do yourself a favor and don't waste money on another set of OEM shocks that you will have to replace in another 10-15k miles if you want your ride and handling to last. Ridetech offers anything from single to triple adjustable options, both in coilover and stock replacement shocks designed specifically to improve and surpass any of the OEM or other low cost options out there, plus a very favorable warranty program if anything would happen.
I would highly recommend giving them a call to discuss your suspension needs, they can walk you through all the pro's and cons about other products as well.
And btw, it's not dampening, (which means making something wet). It's damping
I would highly recommend giving them a call to discuss your suspension needs, they can walk you through all the pro's and cons about other products as well.
And btw, it's not dampening, (which means making something wet). It's damping
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
No love for the Doug Rippie valved Bilsteins?
I have a set with C6 Z51 bars. MAN! did that ever
make a difference!
Corners flat. Does ride a touch stiffer but, It isn't bothered by
the square edged stuff the stock stuff hated.
I call it a win win.. cheap too!!!
I have a set with C6 Z51 bars. MAN! did that ever
make a difference!
Corners flat. Does ride a touch stiffer but, It isn't bothered by
the square edged stuff the stock stuff hated.
I call it a win win.. cheap too!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 239
From: Redondo Beach CA
when considering Bilstein shocks, note the sport is a track part and the HD is the street shock.
I run the Bilstein Hd , but can offer no advice, having no frame of reference, other than they work well. They were installed and selected for the previous owner by a successful corvette shop . The old electronic stuff is gone, no simulators, no messages.
I run the Bilstein Hd , but can offer no advice, having no frame of reference, other than they work well. They were installed and selected for the previous owner by a successful corvette shop . The old electronic stuff is gone, no simulators, no messages.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
He probably means the interior is rattling. I gained several new interior rattles (especially from the targa top) after switching to Bilstein Sport shocks on my Z51 coupe.
I think the Bilstein Sport shocks are too harsh for the street. At least on my car. It's great on the freeway or really smooth roads, but anything slightly rough and the suspension feels harsh. On big rises in the road, my butt has actually lifted off the seat. I really don't like these shocks for daily driving.
I think the Bilstein Sport shocks are too harsh for the street. At least on my car. It's great on the freeway or really smooth roads, but anything slightly rough and the suspension feels harsh. On big rises in the road, my butt has actually lifted off the seat. I really don't like these shocks for daily driving.
Just installed Bilsteins HD's on my 2003, perfect ride and handling.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
I just posted this on another "shock" thread, and I can say this only applies to my experience (and the experience of knowledgeable experts I talked to prior to making the change) regarding alternative shocks for the F55 Magnetic Selective Ride option:
If you previously kept the Magnetic Ride switch in the "Tour" position, then the Bilstein HD shocks were the best alternative.
I normally kept the Mag Ride switch in the "Sport" position for a firmer ride, and was advised to use the Bilstein Sport shocks, and I confirm that I really can't tell the difference!
Bilstein offers the B6 HD shocks, and the B8 SP (Sport) shocks for the C5 Vettes.
See listing here (scroll down mid page, or filter by brand for Bilstein):
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/S...3&autoModClar=
The Sport shocks in my 03 are by no means "too harsh" (we drove a 2000 mile trip last summer, and were able to ride all day - not bad for 70 year old, with a touchy back)! And rattles are non existant in our 03 convertible.
Plasticman
If you previously kept the Magnetic Ride switch in the "Tour" position, then the Bilstein HD shocks were the best alternative.
I normally kept the Mag Ride switch in the "Sport" position for a firmer ride, and was advised to use the Bilstein Sport shocks, and I confirm that I really can't tell the difference!
Bilstein offers the B6 HD shocks, and the B8 SP (Sport) shocks for the C5 Vettes.
See listing here (scroll down mid page, or filter by brand for Bilstein):
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/S...3&autoModClar=
The Sport shocks in my 03 are by no means "too harsh" (we drove a 2000 mile trip last summer, and were able to ride all day - not bad for 70 year old, with a touchy back)! And rattles are non existant in our 03 convertible.
Plasticman
Last edited by Plasticman; Jan 1, 2016 at 09:46 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 182
Likes: 15
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,473
Likes: 717
From: Black Forest CO
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 265
Likes: 24
From: San Antonio
CULTRAG Performance is where I got mine:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rformance.html
2013 C6 Z06 Shocks!
We sell the 2013 C6 Z06 shocks for $294.94 Many C5 customers ask us why we don’t recommend the 2004 shocks over the 2013. Many people also say that the C6 shocks are only developed for the C6. If you look at all of the basic suspension components between the C5 and C6, they are very much the same. The reason we don’t recommend the 2004 Z06 shocks over the 2013 C6 Z06 shocks is simply because of the price and customer feedback. We have many customers who have tried both sets of shocks and cannot tell the difference between the two, so why not purchase the lesser expensive set!
For the C5, not C5 Z06, we also recommend the C6 Z51 sway bar kit. The C6 Z51 sway bar kit coupled with the 2013 C6 Z06 shocks is our most popular suspension and handling upgrade for the C5.
To order, please call 484-949-2099 or go to the link below to order!
http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/c...t/c6z06shocks/
--Genuine GM 2013 C6 Z06 Shocks--
10313647 – Z06 Front Shocks
25819268 – Z06 Rear Shocks
Both sets of front and rear shocks (4) $294.94 total.
For the shocks on our website, use part number c6z06shocks.
The C6 Z06 shocks will work on stock C5’s and C6’s without modification.
Thank you,
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rformance.html
2013 C6 Z06 Shocks!
We sell the 2013 C6 Z06 shocks for $294.94 Many C5 customers ask us why we don’t recommend the 2004 shocks over the 2013. Many people also say that the C6 shocks are only developed for the C6. If you look at all of the basic suspension components between the C5 and C6, they are very much the same. The reason we don’t recommend the 2004 Z06 shocks over the 2013 C6 Z06 shocks is simply because of the price and customer feedback. We have many customers who have tried both sets of shocks and cannot tell the difference between the two, so why not purchase the lesser expensive set!
For the C5, not C5 Z06, we also recommend the C6 Z51 sway bar kit. The C6 Z51 sway bar kit coupled with the 2013 C6 Z06 shocks is our most popular suspension and handling upgrade for the C5.
To order, please call 484-949-2099 or go to the link below to order!
http://www.cultragfactoryparts.com/c...t/c6z06shocks/
--Genuine GM 2013 C6 Z06 Shocks--
10313647 – Z06 Front Shocks
25819268 – Z06 Rear Shocks
Both sets of front and rear shocks (4) $294.94 total.
For the shocks on our website, use part number c6z06shocks.
The C6 Z06 shocks will work on stock C5’s and C6’s without modification.
Thank you,