Will shorter shocks help a lowered C5???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Talty TX
Will shorter shocks help a lowered C5???
I have heard if you lower a C5 far enough the shocks will actually hit the bump stops and not have any suspension travel. That said, it would seem shorter shocks would return some of the lost travel.
I have read posts of modifying the shock brackets to essentially re-position the upper limit of travel. I have also read of guys buying shorter shocks and bolting right in. Problem solved!!
New, shorter shocks would be my preference but I haven't seen any advertised as "shorter" than stock. Anyone know if shorter shocks would actually return lost suspension travel and if so, where to get them.
Thanks,
Dave
I have read posts of modifying the shock brackets to essentially re-position the upper limit of travel. I have also read of guys buying shorter shocks and bolting right in. Problem solved!!
New, shorter shocks would be my preference but I haven't seen any advertised as "shorter" than stock. Anyone know if shorter shocks would actually return lost suspension travel and if so, where to get them.
Thanks,
Dave
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 2
From: Walnut CA
True, Bilsteins are shorter but if DavesRedVette wanted to go really low, I'd be interested to know if there's shorter shock options in addition to the Bilstein. I have Bilsteins as well but is it possible that something shorter than a Bilstein could provide the same amount of travel in a shorter overall body? Or are there perhaps several models of Bilsteins which are different sizes? (Hopefully, I've asked the right questions to help the author of the thread.)
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From: Talty TX
Originally Posted by Paras
True, Bilsteins are shorter but if DavesRedVette wanted to go really low, I'd be interested to know if there's shorter shock options in addition to the Bilstein. I have Bilsteins as well but is it possible that something shorter than a Bilstein could provide the same amount of travel in a shorter overall body? Or are there perhaps several models of Bilsteins which are different sizes? (Hopefully, I've asked the right questions to help the author of the thread.)
Thanks,
Dave
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 76
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From: Tomball Texas
Lowered C5 Shocks
I know that we have mega lowered several C5's, most of them running the Bilstein shocks. We have had nothing but good luck with them. The set runs $399. Give me a call at the shop at 281-870-8787 if you have any questions. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,765
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From: Dana Point Ca
Originally Posted by Davesredvette
Yup, just trying to find out whats out there and what other people have done.
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 2
From: Walnut CA
That's awesome! But how do you clear speed bumps & dips? I hated life in So. Cal. only being lowered only 2 inches! (from my experience Laguna is a much friendlier place for lowered cars, no doubt...)
Originally Posted by vettethret
Call Craig at WCC. MY car is lowered 4" with coil overs. He had bilstein custom make a 2" shorter shock body for increased travel. I think it was only about $50 extra. This is the best way to go as it will still bolt right in.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point Ca
Originally Posted by Paras
That's awesome! But how do you clear speed bumps & dips? I hated life in So. Cal. only being lowered only 2 inches! (from my experience Laguna is a much friendlier place for lowered cars, no doubt...)
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Rogersville TN
Originally Posted by vettethret
Call Craig at WCC. MY car is lowered 4" with coil overs. He had bilstein custom make a 2" shorter shock body for increased travel. I think it was only about $50 extra. This is the best way to go as it will still bolt right in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,765
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From: Dana Point Ca
Originally Posted by curtbriggs
Do you have any bump steer issues? If not were the tie rods and steering modified as in lowered or were the steering arms modified?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,015
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From: Hilton NY
If the upper steel mounts are reversed you can gain 1/2" but don't the shocks limit the upward wheel travel? I had Bilsteins and the tires were just hitting the tops of the wheel wells so shorter shocks would be worse. If the ride height is lowered 4" there can't be much upper wheel travel left.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 0
From: Dana Point Ca
Originally Posted by curtbriggs
Mike, I looked your car up, impressive!
Cheers, Curt
Cheers, Curt
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 675
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From: Talty TX
Originally Posted by vettethret
Call Craig at WCC. MY car is lowered 4" with coil overs. He had bilstein custom make a 2" shorter shock body for increased travel. I think it was only about $50 extra. This is the best way to go as it will still bolt right in.
Thanks,
Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: Morganton, NC, USA
I lowered my Z51 2" in the rear at the same time I added Bilstein Sports, and it would bottom out at 70mph at a certain dip in the road. Boy, it would really bounce me out of the seat. So then, I reversed and modified the upper shock mounts, gaining .800" by measurement. When I hit that dip again, the rear suspension didn't bottom out anymore, but the O.D.'s of the tires slightly rubbed on the inner fenders. So, I think I've found the boundaries for a lowered Z51. To prevent further rubbing,
I raised the rear a half inch.
I raised the rear a half inch.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Talty TX
Originally Posted by 2kbluestreak
I lowered my Z51 2" in the rear at the same time I added Bilstein Sports, and it would bottom out at 70mph at a certain dip in the road. Boy, it would really bounce me out of the seat. So then, I reversed and modified the upper shock mounts, gaining .800" by measurement. When I hit that dip again, the rear suspension didn't bottom out anymore, but the O.D.'s of the tires slightly rubbed on the inner fenders. So, I think I've found the boundaries for a lowered Z51. To prevent further rubbing,
I raised the rear a half inch.
I raised the rear a half inch.
Thanks,
Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 1
From: Morganton, NC, USA
The rear upper shock brackets are steel stampings shaped like a football with rounded points. They have a stiffening lip on the down side, while the top side is flat where it seats against the frame and inner fender. You really do not want to simply flip it around so that it seats on the stiffening lip. Some guys have ground off the lip, but this weakens the mount plate. What you should to is shim the face so that the lip has a little clearance with the frame surface. A lot of guys have simply stacked washers so they are thicker than the lip. I had some 1/4" aluminum handy, so I cut 2 little triangles for each mount plate that fit inside the lip in the corners, then drilled holes to match the holes in the mount plate. This gains a little surface area over washers for better support of the mount plate. The Bilstein sports have a small bushing on their shafts that the lower washer seats against. I used a lathe to short these by .100", which gained me the same amount of raising the end of the shock rod.
