2004 z06 shocks worth looking for?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 47
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From: San Diego
2004 z06 shocks worth looking for?
I'm at the beginning of my C5 Spec Corvette buildout, and I'm starting to source parts for it. Coilovers are not in the budget so I'm staying with the leaf spring setup. I just heard about the 2004 z06 shocks and have found some used sets, but I'm wondering if they are worth considering. Even with low miles, the shocks are 20 years old. Since they aren't rebuildable, wouldn't the seals and oil be past their usable life?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
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From: Dyer, IN
I'm at the beginning of my C5 Spec Corvette buildout, and I'm starting to source parts for it. Coilovers are not in the budget so I'm staying with the leaf spring setup. I just heard about the 2004 z06 shocks and have found some used sets, but I'm wondering if they are worth considering. Even with low miles, the shocks are 20 years old. Since they aren't rebuildable, wouldn't the seals and oil be past their usable life?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
To answer your question - yes, old non-rebuildable shocks probably will not function as well as new shocks even if the old shocks are low mileage.
https://www.dougrippie.com/drm-valve...tein-shocks-c5 <--- good choice
and some further reading: http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets18.html
https://www.dougrippie.com/drm-valve...tein-shocks-c5 <--- good choice
and some further reading: http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets18.html
Last edited by Dads2kconvertible; Oct 22, 2024 at 09:04 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 655
Likes: 352
From: San Jose CA
Default2004 z06 shocks worth looking for?
Even if these were good a one point, they are now 20 years old and done.
Be very careful here, Spec Corvette has unforgiving rules.
2.1.1. Penske Spec Corvette sealed units are the official coilover system of Spec Corvette. OEM and T1 mono-leaf springs and shocks are allowed. OEM C5 or OEM C6 uprights are allowed.
I'd ask them what you are allowed to run. The rules state OEM, but I'm fairly certain that if they are allowing a set of $3600 coilovers, that a set of Billstein or Koni off the shelf shocks should be ok.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 47
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From: San Diego
I did contact one of the directors as I'm currently looking for parts. He said OEM, Bilstein yellow non-adjustable shocks, and DRM valved Bilsteins are allowed but then mentioned that some guys are running the 2004 z06 shocks with good results. That's when I started reading up on what was so different about the 04 z06 shocks. The OEM and T1 parts are getting hard to come by, but I figured I would give it a shot looking for them as I have a couple of months to finish the build-out.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 655
Likes: 352
From: San Jose CA
If you are allowed to run the DRM Bilstiens, that would be my answer for sure. Everything I've ever seen from Doug is dialed in and well done. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a valving specifically for spec Corvette if you call.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
The 2004Z shock was spearheaded by Heinricy so the 2004 Z06 could break the 4:00 mark at Nuremberg,. The DRM Bilstein was fashioned after the Ankeny valved autocross shock to alo be more effective in HPDE. I have had both Z51, C6Z, 2004Z and DRM shocks used for autocrossing. The C6Z shocks were better than the Z51shocks and the 2004Z and DRM shocks were much better than the C6Z. When I went from the 2004Z to the DRM shocks I noticed hardly any difference. Fresher shocks were always initially better than 5yr old shocks. The C6Z shocks are essentially the earlier Z06 shocks with the fronts improved to handle the additional weight of the of the 427 engine.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Cincinnati, OH
So many better options than stock 04Z shocks...
Save your pennies and at a minimum get an adjustable shock that can be converted to coilovers later. Like Viking Performance double or triple adj shocks.
Save your pennies and at a minimum get an adjustable shock that can be converted to coilovers later. Like Viking Performance double or triple adj shocks.