Upgrading Stock C6 Suspension
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
Upgrading Stock C6 Suspension
Alright - I need your help on this. I have a stock suspension C6 (for only about 2 weeks now) and I want to upgrade my suspension.
I notice while pushing it hard on corners, if I hit a little bump, the vette has trouble sticking to the road. Also, I like the smooth ride of the stock suspension but I'm craving something that feels a little "tighter". I still want a smooth ride while still feeling that I can push the car when I want to.
I've poked around quite a few threads and it seems that adding Z51 sway bars and Bilstein HD shocks is a pretty popular upgrade. If you've done this, what kind of difference have you noticed? If you have performed a different upgrade, please chime in with what you did and how it changed the ride.
Thanks!
I notice while pushing it hard on corners, if I hit a little bump, the vette has trouble sticking to the road. Also, I like the smooth ride of the stock suspension but I'm craving something that feels a little "tighter". I still want a smooth ride while still feeling that I can push the car when I want to.
I've poked around quite a few threads and it seems that adding Z51 sway bars and Bilstein HD shocks is a pretty popular upgrade. If you've done this, what kind of difference have you noticed? If you have performed a different upgrade, please chime in with what you did and how it changed the ride.
Thanks!
Last edited by mattnelson819; Apr 22, 2010 at 05:35 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,714
Likes: 6
From: Providence RI
I have the stock sus. on my 05' coupe. I've gotten rid of the runflats and went with wider rims and better tires. I also went with Z06 shocks and sway bars and lowered the car completely on the stock bolts. Car still rides nice but sticks like glue and corners on rails. See my sig. below. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,287
Likes: 1
From: Union City CA
I have the base suspension with Z51 sway bars and Koni FSD shocks. It is an improvement however I am now thinking about replace the stock springs with Z51 springs. Has anyone done this with the base car? If so, what is your opinion on doing this?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 3
From: Houston TX
I have the stock sus. on my 05' coupe. I've gotten rid of the runflats and went with wider rims and better tires. I also went with Z06 shocks and sway bars and lowered the car completely on the stock bolts. Car still rides nice but sticks like glue and corners on rails. See my sig. below. Good luck
Thanks!
(Also - I can't see your signature)
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: San Jose CA
I have an '06 C6 Z51 with Bilstein Sports, non-run flats Kuhmo Ecsta SPT, lowered all the way on stock bolts on front, WCC bolts in the rear to match the the front's gap (this needs to be replaced, too squeaky). Rides great, still firm, but rides confidently over bad surfaces.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
I did the Z51 bars and Bilstein HDs and the car is just great now. The skittery nature of the car when in a bumpy corner is mostly a function of the stock shocks, whether they be stock base, Z51 or Z06 shocks. The Bilsteins are a much more sophisticated shock and will go a long way towards improving this. The whole thing was $500 and its the best $500 I can imagine spending on the car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 2
From: Albany Oregon
I did the Z51 sways and Bilstien Sports. It really made the supsension feel alive, not something I really feel now but that is how I felt when I first got into it after the upgrade. I don't really know how to explain it. It's like you feel all of the imperfections in the road, but the ride is still good. I never really understood what magazines said about road feel until I did this upgrade. I like it so much, I doubt I would buy anothe Vette with the base suspension, even though I did like the base suspension before the upgrade.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 159
From: Brighton Mi
Did the anti-sways already and the koni's are my next move. Do the koni fsd's not work well with the stock springs?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 199
From: Bay Area Ca.
Mine FSD's work great with the stock springs. Perfect ride and street handling with the Z51 bars. Base shocks to bouncy up front, FSD's cure this with awesome ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad CA
Upgrading the sways is a relatively inexpensive and easy no brainer if you can pick up a set of Z51 bars. A definite improvement. I have trouble with the cost benefits of upgrading shocks and lowering with bolts, etc. I think anyone serious about handling and ride should consider swapping out to coilovers and do it right. Lot's of good options out there for our cars. I went with the Pfadts and think it's the best overall mod I've done. Not only does the car handle like it's on rails, there was a noticeable general improvement in the ride. Greatly improved. I also ditched the runflats.
Just another opinion.
Just another opinion.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad CA
Upgrading the sways is a relatively inexpensive and easy no brainer if you can pick up a set of Z51 bars. A definite improvement. I have trouble with the cost benefits of upgrading shocks and lowering with bolts, etc. I think anyone serious about handling and ride should consider swapping out to coilovers and do it right. Lot's of good options out there for our cars. I went with the Pfadts and think it's the best overall mod I've done. Not only does the car handle like it's on rails, there was a noticeable general improvement in the ride. Greatly improved. I also ditched the runflats.
Just another opinion.
Just another opinion.
Paul
Last edited by San Diego Z06; Jul 3, 2010 at 04:22 PM. Reason: Typo
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Ventura CA
I did the Z51 sways and Bilstien Sports. It really made the supsension feel alive, not something I really feel now but that is how I felt when I first got into it after the upgrade. I don't really know how to explain it. It's like you feel all of the imperfections in the road, but the ride is still good. I never really understood what magazines said about road feel until I did this upgrade. I like it so much, I doubt I would buy anothe Vette with the base suspension, even though I did like the base suspension before the upgrade.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
My '05 is (was) base suspension. I upgraded and the car is unbelievable now. What made the difference for me was the combination of:
(see profile)
Major improvement in handling.
- Pfadt coilovers w/ poly bushings
- Z51 sway bars w/ poly bushings
- removing GM leaf springs
- upgrade dampers
- road tested wheel alignment
- 4 point balance
- lowering ride height
- steering adjustment
- performance wheels/tires
(see profile)
Major improvement in handling.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 318
Likes: 11
From: Temecula CA
When I first bought my base car I was somewhat alarmed by the way the rear would side step when I hit a bump in a turn. Gradually I have improved the suspension. I added the Z51 sways, HD adjustable end links, and the Pfadt adjustable sport shocks. I'm still on GY runflats. What a difference! I was on a twisty road yesterday and had a great time. Very stable now in the turns, handles like a slot car. Can be a little rougher ride on bad roads, but with the Pfadt shocks I can always make an adjustment to soften the ride. I'm sure the Koni FSD's or Bilsteins would be a good upgrade as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,399
Likes: 3,581
From: Commerce Texas
I did the Z51 bars and Bilstein HDs and the car is just great now. The skittery nature of the car when in a bumpy corner is mostly a function of the stock shocks, whether they be stock base, Z51 or Z06 shocks. The Bilsteins are a much more sophisticated shock and will go a long way towards improving this. The whole thing was $500 and its the best $500 I can imagine spending on the car.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: "Beach Bum" CA
i have an '06 w/Z51 pkg and i hear that a base suspension w/Z51 sways w/pfadt polybushings are a better match with the base springs, bilstein sports and then you can upgrade your tires to michelin ps2 ZPs or non-runflats - if you prefer.
Last edited by HBJG; Jul 3, 2010 at 07:29 PM.
