Suspension upgrade question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 172
Likes: 10
From: The Woodlands Texas
Suspension upgrade question
I am soon to replace the original dampeners with some Bilstein sports and the sway bar with a C6Z-equivalent and solid end-links. My question is should I upgrade the mono-springs as well? It is a 2000 base model with 85k on it and has always felt very squishy to me even when I ran the original F1 tires. I do not mind a hard ride but it is a daily driver so it has to be safe going into corners on normal roads. Thank you for reading!
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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if you're considering doing springs as well you might look into doing coilovers instead... personally I hated how the car felt connected side to side in corners when going over bumps and coilovers will eliminate that and give you a true independent suspension
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 172
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From: The Woodlands Texas
Suggestions on brands?
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
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GT2 adjustable coilovers. I did mine 4 or 5 years ago and love them. I've got them set a bit to tight and next time I'm under the car and need to take out the suspension (rear) like when I do the clutch will dial them back a couple of points. the fronts are easy to adjust the rears have to be removed and replaced to adjust.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
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From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
Yeah get the C5 Z06 springs at least if you have the base suspension. Also- I don't have experience with this but some users report using the C6Z sways with stockish tires is a recipe for potential oversteer. I did something similar- went from the base suspension to Z06 springs, Bilstein sports (now have Koni FSC) and Hotchkis sways. Realize everything is a compromise- the stiffer the suspension the harsher it will ride but sounds like you don't mind that 
Last edited by ericdwong; Nov 9, 2018 at 04:49 PM.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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I have gt2's as well, on the rears I drilled a small hole through the shock towers and carpet and have the adjusters in the trunk area... I have mine set near full firm and don't really mess with them but the adjusters are easily accessible if I need them... I know a couple of people with viking coilovers and they are really pleased with them
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 203
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From: Baltimore MD
Yeah get the C5 Z06 springs at least if you have the base suspension. Also- I don't have experience with this but some users report using the C6Z sways with stockish tires is a recipe for potential oversteer. I did something similar- went from the base suspension to Z06 springs, Bilstein sports (now have Koni FSC) and Hotchkis sways. Realize everything is a compromise- the stiffer the suspension the harsher it will ride but sounds like you don't mind that
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: DFW TX
Recommend going with DRM-valved Bilsteins
http://dougrippie.com/products/c6-co...hocks-for-c6z/
best bang for the buck by far. Those, plus greasable Moog links and good condition bushings, will make the ride a million times better, excellent for a daily driver.
Do shocks first then only think about sways if you're still not happy. GT2 coilovers are nice but spendy.
I have high-rate leafs and spoke to Sam Strano of Strano Parts, he suggested Koni Sports. They are spendy, $1300. He sells but was not a big fan of the Viking, Ridetech, etc parts. Built to a budget. I have a thread going here.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1598017462
I just got the Konis the other day and don't have them on yet.
http://dougrippie.com/products/c6-co...hocks-for-c6z/
best bang for the buck by far. Those, plus greasable Moog links and good condition bushings, will make the ride a million times better, excellent for a daily driver.
Do shocks first then only think about sways if you're still not happy. GT2 coilovers are nice but spendy.
I have high-rate leafs and spoke to Sam Strano of Strano Parts, he suggested Koni Sports. They are spendy, $1300. He sells but was not a big fan of the Viking, Ridetech, etc parts. Built to a budget. I have a thread going here.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1598017462
I just got the Konis the other day and don't have them on yet.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 172
Likes: 10
From: The Woodlands Texas
I might be interested. Are Z51 springs that much different than Z06 springs? I was hoping for a set of Z06 springs or just spending some extra for a Hyperco set.
Also I am not 100% sure it is a base. How does one tell? Power steering cooler? I'm pretty sure it's a base though, it's super squishy.
Recommend going with DRM-valved Bilsteins
http://dougrippie.com/products/c6-co...hocks-for-c6z/
best bang for the buck by far. Those, plus greasable Moog links and good condition bushings, will make the ride a million times better, excellent for a daily driver.
Do shocks first then only think about sways if you're still not happy. GT2 coilovers are nice but spendy.
I have high-rate leafs and spoke to Sam Strano of Strano Parts, he suggested Koni Sports. They are spendy, $1300. He sells but was not a big fan of the Viking, Ridetech, etc parts. Built to a budget. I have a thread going here.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1598017462
I just got the Konis the other day and don't have them on yet.
http://dougrippie.com/products/c6-co...hocks-for-c6z/
best bang for the buck by far. Those, plus greasable Moog links and good condition bushings, will make the ride a million times better, excellent for a daily driver.
Do shocks first then only think about sways if you're still not happy. GT2 coilovers are nice but spendy.
I have high-rate leafs and spoke to Sam Strano of Strano Parts, he suggested Koni Sports. They are spendy, $1300. He sells but was not a big fan of the Viking, Ridetech, etc parts. Built to a budget. I have a thread going here.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1598017462
I just got the Konis the other day and don't have them on yet.
My sway bar ends and end links are utterly annihilated from road salt since it was an Ohio driven car. I should take pictures and upload them so you guys can cringe at how bad they are. I was thinking of upgrading to a set of Steinjager sways.
Opinions on these? I have read some posts and they seem to be of good quality.
Yeah get the C5 Z06 springs at least if you have the base suspension. Also- I don't have experience with this but some users report using the C6Z sways with stockish tires is a recipe for potential oversteer. I did something similar- went from the base suspension to Z06 springs, Bilstein sports (now have Koni FSC) and Hotchkis sways. Realize everything is a compromise- the stiffer the suspension the harsher it will ride but sounds like you don't mind that
Yeah I don't mind the harsh ride, I very much prefer to be able to dodge texters. Your set up is right in line with what I was wanting to do. How harsh is the ride? I know that's hard to describe. Are you still using the F1 run-flats?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: The Woodlands Texas
Team Owner
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,959
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From: Avon Lake OH
When the PO of my '99 FRC upgraded the suspension, he left the Z51 springs alone. Right now she is running a set of '04 Z06 shocks, but I have a set of DRM valved Bilstein Sports that will be installed before next year's driving season. I also plan to raise the ride height up a bit because somewhere alone the line someone slammed her into the weeds - looks great but there is just not much compression travel left in the setup. Personally I am glad the PO left the slightly softer Z51 rear spring in there rather than upgrade to the Z06 rear spring. The car rides on Z06 wheels/tires sizes so there is plenty of rear grip in the corners and the larger diameter sway bars are not a problem. What I like is that the slightly softer Z51 rear spring helps to keep the rear tires planted on rougher pavement, so that is helpful on the street. Plus the slightly softer rear spring allows the rear a tad more squat and she can put the power down a just bit easier as well. Its all a matter of taste, driving style and what you plan to do with the car.
Here are the C5 spring rates;
C5 base: 440# Front, 577# Rear
C5 Z51: 526# Front, 634# Rear
C5 Z06: 526# Front, 714# Rear
Here are the C5 spring rates;
C5 base: 440# Front, 577# Rear
C5 Z51: 526# Front, 634# Rear
C5 Z06: 526# Front, 714# Rear
Last edited by JHrinsin; Nov 18, 2018 at 01:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7,373
Likes: 1,128
From: cold & windy
i ended up running a C6 ZR1 front sway with a C6 Z51 rear, and the steering feels real neutral while still better-planted through turns. since i'm only running 295s out back, i didn't want to make the rear squirrely with the Z06 or ZR1 rear sways (designed for a lot more contact patch).
hadn't checked on shocks in a good while, but my plan's to keep my C5 Z51 springs to help the ride on these terrible roads.
hadn't checked on shocks in a good while, but my plan's to keep my C5 Z51 springs to help the ride on these terrible roads.