Z51 Question
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
Good question - as the shocks are not the only suspension component that is different in a Z51 car than a non-Z51 . . . . I don't know what softening impact or to what degree, the change might have?
Others who have done the swap will hopefully share their experience
Others who have done the swap will hopefully share their experience
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Example short answer:
We have the factory Z51 setup on our 2009, and those shocks were beating me to death on the bombed-out roads of Illinois. I replaced them with factory BASE shocks, the ride got much better and the loss of handling was quite small. On a really bumpy corner, the base shocks can actually be better than the Z51 shocks.
Someone said that the Z51 and Z06 shocks provide a lot of harshness but not a big improvement in control. My limited experience seems to support that, for street use in our area. If you drive in an area with good roads, or on smooth road courses, then things are different.
The Koni FSD shocks get good reviews from most people, but a few still say they are similar to stock Z51. They are supposed to have a special valving system that allows them to be soft over bumps but firm for cornering.
For slightly firmer than base, I'd use Bilstein HD. For max stiffness but less harshness than Z51/Z06, I'd use Bilstein Sports.
Let us know what you decide, and how you like it.
Someone said that the Z51 and Z06 shocks provide a lot of harshness but not a big improvement in control. My limited experience seems to support that, for street use in our area. If you drive in an area with good roads, or on smooth road courses, then things are different.
The Koni FSD shocks get good reviews from most people, but a few still say they are similar to stock Z51. They are supposed to have a special valving system that allows them to be soft over bumps but firm for cornering.
For slightly firmer than base, I'd use Bilstein HD. For max stiffness but less harshness than Z51/Z06, I'd use Bilstein Sports.
Let us know what you decide, and how you like it.
The original discussion:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...uspension.html
