C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Bilstein HDs too rough or what?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 03:30 PM
  #1  
C5JONNY's Avatar
C5JONNY
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: central NJ
Default Bilstein HDs too rough or what?

Just purchased a set of bilstein HD's, and have Z06 sways and end links coming. Is this setup going to be tooth rattling or just right. Let me hear about your expiriences. Also Im on non-runflats, and currently have base suspension.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 03:36 PM
  #2  
User 81424's Avatar
User 81424
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

If you have to ask, it may be too rough for you, but teeth rattling it's not. I think you'll love it.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 04:19 PM
  #3  
C5 StockSwap's Avatar
C5 StockSwap
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 2
From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

Just curious...why did you go with the HD's instead of the Sports?
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 04:23 PM
  #4  
1 BAD C5's Avatar
1 BAD C5
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 0
From: Clarkesville GA
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

Shouldn't be too harsh..I have heard the HD are comparable to stocks as far as ride quality goes.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 04:51 PM
  #5  
CNTDRV55's Avatar
CNTDRV55
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
From: My Own Private Idaho
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5 StockSwap)

Man, how'd you get 385 to the wheels with yur mods? I only see an intake and a catback. What am I missing? :cheers:
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:00 PM
  #6  
UtahVince's Avatar
UtahVince
Pro
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 713
Likes: 4
From: Salt Lake City UT
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (tailgunner)

I think you made a good choice with the HDs. I went with the sports and they are firm. Created several creaks and squeaks that I never had before.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:30 PM
  #7  
C5JONNY's Avatar
C5JONNY
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: central NJ
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5 StockSwap)

Just curious...why did you go with the HD's instead of the Sports?
I was looking for z06 shocks on parts for sale wanted section, and stumbled upon these with low miles for 150.00.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:36 PM
  #8  
John Shiels's Avatar
John Shiels
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (CPT Z06)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:39 PM
  #9  
Cliff99C5hardtop's Avatar
Cliff99C5hardtop
Burning Brakes
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 17
From: NJ
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

Hey Johnny.....you might just want to go with the 04 Z06 shocks like I put in, they ride great and you saw how low my car is. The next thing I was gonna do was get the Z06 sway bar upgrade to match the 04 Z06 shocks. I think the HD Bilsteins are way to rough, the ride difference between the Bilsteins and 04 Z06 shocks is a no brainer to me.......
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 05:51 PM
  #10  
C5JONNY's Avatar
C5JONNY
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,324
Likes: 0
From: central NJ
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (Cliff99C5hardtop)

Whats up Cliff, where the heck have you been? Im going to try the HD's and if they are too much I will go with the 04 Z06's. We'll see in the spring, check out my updated sig for all the new goodies I have going in, Not being able to break into the 11's this season really lit a fire under my ****.
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 06:01 PM
  #11  
mbtc5vette's Avatar
mbtc5vette
Instructor
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Annandale NJ
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

I've had the Z06 bars and Bilstein HD shocks on for about 15K miles. I put the bars on first and they are great - hardly affected ride quality at all and really flattened it out in turns. When I put on the HD shocks, it firmed the ride significantly to the point that I'm getting tired of it. I've been debating either going back to the stock shocks or trying the '04 Z06 shocks or Koni's to get better ride quality. It all depends how you drive, comfort expectations, etc. Hope this helps.

:cheers:


[Modified by mbtc5vette, 6:18 PM 12/23/2003]
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2003 | 06:10 PM
  #12  
YO-EL's Avatar
YO-EL
Race Director
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 17,709
Likes: 1,219
From: Phila PA, Bonita Springs FL
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (mbtc5vette)

The HD's will be fine!!!!!!!
You will LOVE them, as long as you DON'T lower your car.:yesnod:

If you plan on lowering, go for the Sports. :yesnod:
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2003 | 05:38 AM
  #13  
spdnman's Avatar
spdnman
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 688
Likes: 0
From: Rye Brook, NY
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

I have the sports, Z06 springs, Hotchkis bars and Z06 alignment. It is much firmer, but I do not mind at all. I may add Penske's in the fututre. To me, it is the way it should have come from factory. It handles much flatter.
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2003 | 12:33 PM
  #14  
powderski13's Avatar
powderski13
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 919
Likes: 1
From: Portland area OR
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

I run Z06 sway bars, Z51 springs and Bilstein Sport shocks on my 02 vert. It is also lowered a bit. The ride is firm and it corners like it is on rails. Drove it almost 6,000 miles on the 50th caravan back to Bowling Green and Nashville without noticing any discomfort. :flag
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2003 | 09:24 PM
  #15  
corvettefrance's Avatar
corvettefrance
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Denver co
Default Re: Bilstein HDs too rough or what? (C5JONNY)

It really depend what do you want to do with your car.
Personaly I just installed the GM T1 sway bar (developp by GM racing and much stiffer than the Z06) with the bilstein sport.
I tested it with 275.35.18 Toyo slick tires treadwear 40 on four corners.
the car is dropped to the maximum possible (approx. 1")
I was really impressed it is still relatively comfortable and it's far away from the stock in cornering. this setting is still not tooth rattling. It is right that on bump I hear noise, but it is very acceptable versus the huge gain in road holding. I don't think your setting will be too hard.
If you like cornering you will like it.

something I forgot I still have the base springs (soft ride)
and don't know if I need to install the Z06.
If some one as an idea if let me know.


[Modified by corvettefrance, 2:40 AM 12/25/2003]
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Bilstein HDs too rough or what?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:21 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE