Shocks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 41
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Shocks
Guys, I just bought a 03 anniversary corvette and I am going to be changing the shocks. I’ve read that Bilstein is the way to go (I know that you have to reprogram) I have a bunch different ones that I’ve seen mentioned, I know that it should be the HD and not the sport ones, what I don’t know is B6, monotone, 46mm. I’ve seen shocks for this car that could cause me to take a second mortgage out. Suggestions please? Geez this wasn’t as complicated as shocks for my 65 fuelie (which I sold about 20 years ago) I know I should have kept it.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
The Bilstein shocks are are great product; they are reasonably priced and available from multiple outlets. I've used them on two C5s; I had a set of B6s (HD shocks) on an 01 coupe I had years ago, and I'm running a set of B8s (sport shocks) on my current 02 Z06.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 181
Likes: 110
From: Highland Village, TX
I replaced the leaking shocks on my 2003 AE with the Bilstein B6 (HD) shocks and love them. This is my DD and long road trip car, so the HDs were the appropriate choice for my use case.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 41
Likes: 8
Shocks
Thanks, I think I’m going with the b6 HD, That would be the 4600 correct? Also what did you do with the electric, resistor ? Or delete or do you have to do both?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
My cars did not have the selective ride control. The Bilstein 4600 is a coil over shock, are you planning on removing the transverse leaf springs? Bad idea in my opinion.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 181
Likes: 110
From: Highland Village, TX
Also what did you do with the electric, resistor ? Or delete or do you have to do both?
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 41
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Shocks
Thanks ipuig, went to Rock and the ones I saw are saying without electronic suspension,b6 performance, stock ride height, part number 24029759. Would this be them even though it is with electronic suspension and are these HD?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
I'm not comfortable in telling you which shock to order but you must realize that a non selective ride suspension shock is not the replacement part for your vehicle. As I indicated, my cars did not have the selective ride suspension, so the Bilstein shocks are considered a direct replacement for the OEM shocks. Many on this forum claim to have replaced their magnetic ride shocks with standard shocks, I do not have direct knowledge of this part swap so I'm reluctant to give an opinion on it. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 41
Likes: 8
Shocks
I'm not comfortable in telling you which shock to order but you must realize that a non selective ride suspension shock is not the replacement part for your vehicle. As I indicated, my cars did not have the selective ride suspension, so the Bilstein shocks are considered a direct replacement for the OEM shocks. Good luck.
Maybe someone else here who has or had the selective ride could chime in with some advice
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 181
Likes: 110
From: Highland Village, TX
Let's start this from the beginning. All the 2003 AE cars were equipped with RPO F55 "Chassis Continuously Variable Real Time Damping Magneto Rheological" (or simply magnetic ride) shocks. To replace these with ANYTHING other than the OEM mag ride shocks, you MUST have the F55 program deleted from your car's computer. Someone with a TECH II, HP Tuner or equivalent MUST delete the program. Then you can replace the OEM shocks with Bilsteins or some other solution.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
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there looks like there’s a few BilsteinB6s that fit the 03 ae . Would you know the part number or the exact shock that you used and what did you do to the magnetic deal ? Thanks very much
Last edited by Yankee Jim; Oct 6, 2024 at 12:14 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 181
Likes: 110
From: Highland Village, TX
If you have the car at the normal height, there is only one set of B6 shocks that fit. Front is 24-029759, rear is 24-029766. Before these can be installed, you must have the F55 program deleted. I took my AE roadster to a Corvette specialist shop here in DFW and they deleted the mag ride shock program from my car's computer. I personally do not own a TECH II and don't feel the need (yet) to invest in and learn the HP Tuner system, so I rely on experts to handle issues such as this,
Again, the program must be deleted before you change out the shocks.
Again, the program must be deleted before you change out the shocks.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 41
Likes: 8
Shocks
If you have the car at the normal height, there is only one set of B6 shocks that fit. Front is 24-029759, rear is 24-029766. Before these can be installed, you must have the F55 program deleted. I took my AE roadster to a Corvette specialist shop here in DFW and they deleted the mag ride shock program from my car's computer. I personally do not own a TECH II and don't feel the need (yet) to invest in and learn the HP Tuner system, so I rely on experts to handle issues such as this,
Again, the program must be deleted before you change out the shocks.
Again, the program must be deleted before you change out the shocks.
Who did you bring it to delete? Thanks
Jim
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 41
Likes: 8
Shocks
Jim