Advise on Shocks and sways?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Georgia
St. Jude Contributor
Advise on Shocks and sways?
I have a 02 coupe with the base susp. I have lowered it about 1.5 inches and would like to see what I can do to improve the ride quality. Also what will work with my car? I would like some shocks and sway bars. Also what are the differences between the sport and the heavy duty Bilstein's? Which one has a smoother ride? What are the pros and cons to each?
[Modified by dave777, 5:30 AM 7/21/2003]
[Modified by dave777, 5:30 AM 7/21/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,377
Likes: 79
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (dave777)
You use the words "ride quality" and "smoother ride" what do want, the ride of a caddy or better sports car handling? If it's the latter then Z06 anti-sway bars, Z06 springs, and I like the Z06 shocks but most people will tell you to get the Bilsteins.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 0
From: Renaissance Festival TAZ the Wolfdog (R.I.P.)
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (dave777)
I started with the base suspension and added Bilstein "Sportwagen zum Einbauen" shocks -- P/N F4-BE5-2978-H0 along with Front and Rear Z-06 sway bars and links for the best of both worlds. Ride is firmer--rebound on Bilsteins is superior to stock, and the Z-06 is a nice improvement over stock without any degradation to ride, noise, vibration or harshness. As a reference, I purchased the shocks, barely used, from a friend for $200 and the sway bars with links from another friend for $125.
[Modified by Steve02C5, 8:18 AM 7/21/2003]
[Modified by Steve02C5, 8:18 AM 7/21/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (Steve02C5)
I have a lowered 99 with Bilstein Sports. I'm thinking of getting BMR sways from Xtreme Sports. Not on their web site. Just call. They are stiffer than the Z06, closer to Hotchkiss but less $$$.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,290
Likes: 4
From: G-boro NC
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (dave777)
Had the base suspension on mine as well. I lowered it, purchased Z06 sways(with aluminum links) and Z51 shocks and I am EXTREMELY happy with the handling. Well worth the 200 bucks spent.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill FL
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (dave777)
I've done the Bilsteins, Hotchkis, VBP Xtreme springs and still not happy with my setup. My car still has too much body roll IMO but I guess I will just live with it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 3
From: Chapel Hill NC
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (jeromet)
I've done the Bilsteins, Hotchkis, VBP Xtreme springs and still not happy with my setup. My car still has too much body roll IMO but I guess I will just live with it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 2
From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (tcmc5)
Started with stock FE1 suspension, swapped sway bars for Z51 bars, added Bilstein Sport Shocks. I am very happy with the results compared to base suspension. I am lowered on the stock bolts.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 889
Likes: 0
From: DFW tx
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (C5 StockSwap)
Mine is lowered about an inch. I put the Bilsteins on and noticed a huge improvement in the ride quality. It did not feal "floaty" on the highway, felt more glued to the road, and it took speed bumps much better. After putting on the Hotchkis bars, the roll mostly went away, but the ride became harsher. I like the ride, but some may consider it too rough. The only time it really bothers me is on very poor roads.
Instructor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: CT
Re: Advise on Shocks and sways? (dave777)
It all depends on you uses for the car, street driven, drag strip, autocross or road course.
Then once you decide which one go from there, when you look at shock, you should make sure the ones your getting are not going to be bottomed out, otherwise, you'll bust the shock and won't be using it.
Then once you decide which one go from there, when you look at shock, you should make sure the ones your getting are not going to be bottomed out, otherwise, you'll bust the shock and won't be using it.