Z06 shocks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 7
Z06 shocks
First things first: I'll try to keep the car as close to stock (looking) as possible so coilovers are out of the question.
So,
I have a 2002 with 65k miles (bought almost 2 years ago)
I take it to the track once a month or so (HPDEs, nothing fancy) but I also drive it on the street, sometimes through Baltimore city where the pavement isn't perfect (to put it mildly)
As I get to push it more and more (on the track), the shocks question popped up in my mind:
Is it time to change the shocks? I'm thinking they're old (20 years old) and even if they're still close to spec, maybe the aftermarket is better?
Basically I don't even know where to start (reading about it).
Help?
So,
I have a 2002 with 65k miles (bought almost 2 years ago)
I take it to the track once a month or so (HPDEs, nothing fancy) but I also drive it on the street, sometimes through Baltimore city where the pavement isn't perfect (to put it mildly)
As I get to push it more and more (on the track), the shocks question popped up in my mind:
Is it time to change the shocks? I'm thinking they're old (20 years old) and even if they're still close to spec, maybe the aftermarket is better?
Basically I don't even know where to start (reading about it).
Help?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
You're going to want the 2004 Z06 shocks, unless they superseded all Z06 shocks. Could also get the Johhny O'Connel shocks from AFE. I have them and JOC sways on my Z06 and it tightened it up nicely from stock. I'm sure some will chime in about C6 Z06 shocks, but from what I understand they're not exactly the right tool for the job here. But they're still better than 20 year old blown out junk, and I'm assuming this is why people rave over them. That and the price.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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Likes: 3,468
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
The '04 Z06 got the best valving out of all the C5 Z06's, but im not sure how they compare to a performance shock. I have tried the C6 Z06 shocks and they are absolute garbage on track. The C6Z uses taller shocks in the rear so on a lowered C5 they spend all their time in the bump stops and do no actual damping. The rear just bounces all over.
For a good budget friendly performance shock I would recommend the Doug Rippie valved Bilstein shocks. They are an excellent value.
DRM Valved Bilstein Shocks C5 (dougrippie.com)
For a good budget friendly performance shock I would recommend the Doug Rippie valved Bilstein shocks. They are an excellent value.
DRM Valved Bilstein Shocks C5 (dougrippie.com)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 7
The '04 Z06 got the best valving out of all the C5 Z06's, but im not sure how they compare to a performance shock. I have tried the C6 Z06 shocks and they are absolute garbage on track. The C6Z uses taller shocks in the rear so on a lowered C5 they spend all their time in the bump stops and do no actual damping. The rear just bounces all over.
For a good budget friendly performance shock I would recommend the Doug Rippie valved Bilstein shocks. They are an excellent value.
DRM Valved Bilstein Shocks C5 (dougrippie.com)
For a good budget friendly performance shock I would recommend the Doug Rippie valved Bilstein shocks. They are an excellent value.
DRM Valved Bilstein Shocks C5 (dougrippie.com)
SHOCKS ARE OUT OF STOCK. ETA COMING SOON.
So ... ETA is coming soon. Shocks ... who knows?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,698
Likes: 3,468
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I missed that note, sorry. I would still check in with Randy and see if he has an idea when they will be available.
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Safety Car
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From: Da U.P.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
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If yes, are they really worth it (based on your comments, I guess not)?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
First things first: I'll try to keep the car as close to stock (looking) as possible so coilovers are out of the question.
So,
I have a 2002 with 65k miles (bought almost 2 years ago)
I take it to the track once a month or so (HPDEs, nothing fancy) but I also drive it on the street, sometimes through Baltimore city where the pavement isn't perfect (to put it mildly)
As I get to push it more and more (on the track), the shocks question popped up in my mind:
Is it time to change the shocks? I'm thinking they're old (20 years old) and even if they're still close to spec, maybe the aftermarket is better?
Basically I don't even know where to start (reading about it).
Help?
So,
I have a 2002 with 65k miles (bought almost 2 years ago)
I take it to the track once a month or so (HPDEs, nothing fancy) but I also drive it on the street, sometimes through Baltimore city where the pavement isn't perfect (to put it mildly)
As I get to push it more and more (on the track), the shocks question popped up in my mind:
Is it time to change the shocks? I'm thinking they're old (20 years old) and even if they're still close to spec, maybe the aftermarket is better?
Basically I don't even know where to start (reading about it).
Help?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 7
I have a set of the Bilstein B8s on my 02 Z06. They are more than adequate for the intended use you describe. Read the post in the attached link for additional information: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-shorter.html
"The Bilstein B8's are an improvement over the C6Z shocks. I ran the Bilstein's on my C5Z, and again now on my C6Z. The only thing I would pick over the B8's in the price range would be the DRM-valved Bilsteins."
If only they were in stock (or answer their emails about having them in stock; or answer their phones ...). If not, I'll have the get the B8s.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
From that thread, I got this (which seems to be confirmed by other people):
"The Bilstein B8's are an improvement over the C6Z shocks. I ran the Bilstein's on my C5Z, and again now on my C6Z. The only thing I would pick over the B8's in the price range would be the DRM-valved Bilsteins."
If only they were in stock (or answer their emails about having them in stock; or answer their phones ...). If not, I'll have the get the B8s.
"The Bilstein B8's are an improvement over the C6Z shocks. I ran the Bilstein's on my C5Z, and again now on my C6Z. The only thing I would pick over the B8's in the price range would be the DRM-valved Bilsteins."
If only they were in stock (or answer their emails about having them in stock; or answer their phones ...). If not, I'll have the get the B8s.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
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DRM are $575 with their "special" bushings or $545 with regular bushings
Tirerack has "regular" B8s for $521 or $492 if I drive an hour and pick them up (and get them sooner)
B6s are $425 (rockauto) but I can only get them in like 10 days
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
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I just talked to someone at BRM and he said he'll have them back in stock in "a few weeks"
I asked about the "ETA COMING SOON." and he explained that the information goes through a few people regarding availability but he'll try to update the website as soon as he knows anything
I asked about the "ETA COMING SOON." and he explained that the information goes through a few people regarding availability but he'll try to update the website as soon as he knows anything
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 110
From: Switzerland
dont get too worked up about the shocks. their importance is generally overestimated. work on the sways, bushings, links and geometry. i have 04zo6 and drm shocks and cant say they make any obvious difference on street/track on an intermediate level (even compared to the originals that were 20 years old also). as long as they dont leak or have other obvious problems i would keep them. iv had enough adjustable shocks on other cars and i would not want to ever get into that again. huge effort w/o any real effect.
(i hate the bi-annual tech inspections over here but at least they check your shocks. as long as they come out o.k. i leave them alone.)
(i hate the bi-annual tech inspections over here but at least they check your shocks. as long as they come out o.k. i leave them alone.)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 7
dont get too worked up about the shocks. their importance is generally overestimated. work on the sways, bushings, links and geometry. i have 04zo6 and drm shocks and cant say they make any obvious difference on street/track on an intermediate level (even compared to the originals that were 20 years old also). as long as they dont leak or have other obvious problems i would keep them. iv had enough adjustable shocks on other cars and i would not want to ever get into that again. huge effort w/o any real effect.
(i hate the bi-annual tech inspections over here but at least they check your shocks. as long as they come out o.k. i leave them alone.)
(i hate the bi-annual tech inspections over here but at least they check your shocks. as long as they come out o.k. i leave them alone.)
The good part in all of this is that I'm in no rush. There aren't too many events left this year so I have around 6 months until next spring to settle on something.
Thank you all for all the advice, now I have to "digest" it.
As a last question, does anyone have any opinion about the Konis? I understand they are adjustable but they're almost 3x more expensive compared to Bilsteins. Are they so much considered so much better or are you just paying for the adjustability and/or "the brand"?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
If you are a competitive autocrosser or HPDE junkey, the shocks will not make too much difference in an autocross/HPDE. If you came in third place in an autocross, where you had to have non-adjustable shock by 0.14 seconds then it matters. For HPDE drivers, the added rebound the the DRM would be noticeable. Remember, GM made the 04Z shocks with tighter rebound than the standard (01-03) Z shocks to brake the 7 minute mark at Nuremburg
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 7
If you are a competitive autocrosser or HPDE junkey, the shocks will not make too much difference in an autocross/HPDE. If you came in third place in an autocross, where you had to have non-adjustable shock by 0.14 seconds then it matters. For HPDE drivers, the added rebound the the DRM would be noticeable. Remember, GM made the 04Z shocks with tighter rebound than the standard (01-03) Z shocks to brake the 7 minute mark at Nuremburg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
Since you are not running time trials, Lap times are not as important and a few seconds one one or another is immaterial. Regular Bilsteins, 04Z, JOC, etc are all good shocks, the C6Z shocks are a good economy shock, but shocks alone are not the end-all, it is the balance of the sway bars, alignment, etc that improve handling.