It is funny though.
Shocks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
Shocks
It's time to replace the shocks on my 74K miles 07. My son is in the auto parts biz, but it seems that Bilstein shocks have been back ordered for quite awhile now. So, I'd like opinions of AC Delco, Sachs, and KYB shocks. Not going to be doing any track time, just want a smooth ride. I'll be replacing the sway bar end links at the same time. Thanks for any and all opinions!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
I replaced my Z51 shocks with OEM, because I knew how they were suspension ride wise. I thought about bilsteins or Koni, but in the end I'm happy with the OEM. I replaced my sway bar end links at the same time as I did the shocks.
Last edited by 4SUMERZ; Feb 28, 2016 at 07:53 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
shocks
So, you put the AC Delco shocks on? on the Rock Auto site, there are 3 varieties of AC Delco, FE1, soft ride....FE3 Sport......and FE4 Special.
Which one did you go with and does anyone know exactly what the difference is between these 3? Thanks
Which one did you go with and does anyone know exactly what the difference is between these 3? Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
FE2 - F55 Magnetic Handling - Adjustable ride but require the F55 control in the vehicle from the factory.
FE3 Sport Suspension Z51 - performance handling (motocross)
FE4 is for the Z06 - Stiffest ride
I have a 2006 with the Performance handling package (Z51) so I stayed with the FE3 shocks.
If you want a soft comfortable ride, go with the FE1, a solid ride, the FE3, and if you want a stiff ride, the FE4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
FE1 is for that Base suspension- Soft ride
FE2 - F55 Magnetic Handling - Adjustable ride but require the F55 control in the vehicle from the factory.
FE3 Sport Suspension Z51 - performance handling (motocross)
FE4 is for the Z06 - Stiffest ride
I have a 2006 with the Performance handling package (Z51) so I stayed with the FE3 shocks.
If you want a soft comfortable ride, go with the FE1, a solid ride, the FE3, and if you want a stiff ride, the FE4
FE2 - F55 Magnetic Handling - Adjustable ride but require the F55 control in the vehicle from the factory.
FE3 Sport Suspension Z51 - performance handling (motocross)
FE4 is for the Z06 - Stiffest ride
I have a 2006 with the Performance handling package (Z51) so I stayed with the FE3 shocks.
If you want a soft comfortable ride, go with the FE1, a solid ride, the FE3, and if you want a stiff ride, the FE4
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 25,105
Likes: 3,156
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I just replaced my bilstein sports with Z06 OEM shocks. Little firmer ride, but not bad at all. Smooths out bigger bumps that used to unsettle the Sports. I have Z51 sways and Moog end links with grease zerks.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
Motocross, autocross, it takes the same shocks on this sucker.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,713
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
On smooth roads, stiff shocks are just fine.
On the bombed-out roads of the Midwest, our Z51 had factory shocks that were annoyingly stiff. Same with Bilstein Sports.
Next I tried C6 base model factory shocks on the Z51 suspension, big improvement in ride but felt a bit too "floaty" for me, especially after 20k miles.
Finally, I tried Bilstein Heavy Duty (not Sport) shocks, they are a very nice compromise between stiff and mushy. We're very happy with them.
As always, YMMV.
On the bombed-out roads of the Midwest, our Z51 had factory shocks that were annoyingly stiff. Same with Bilstein Sports.
Next I tried C6 base model factory shocks on the Z51 suspension, big improvement in ride but felt a bit too "floaty" for me, especially after 20k miles.
Finally, I tried Bilstein Heavy Duty (not Sport) shocks, they are a very nice compromise between stiff and mushy. We're very happy with them.
As always, YMMV.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
On smooth roads, stiff shocks are just fine.
On the bombed-out roads of the Midwest, our Z51 had factory shocks that were annoyingly stiff. Same with Bilstein Sports.
Next I tried C6 base model factory shocks on the Z51 suspension, big improvement in ride but felt a bit too "floaty" for me, especially after 20k miles.
Finally, I tried Bilstein Heavy Duty (not Sport) shocks, they are a very nice compromise between stiff and mushy. We're very happy with them.
As always, YMMV.
On the bombed-out roads of the Midwest, our Z51 had factory shocks that were annoyingly stiff. Same with Bilstein Sports.
Next I tried C6 base model factory shocks on the Z51 suspension, big improvement in ride but felt a bit too "floaty" for me, especially after 20k miles.
Finally, I tried Bilstein Heavy Duty (not Sport) shocks, they are a very nice compromise between stiff and mushy. We're very happy with them.
As always, YMMV.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,713
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,713
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
On smooth roads, stiff shocks are just fine.
On the bombed-out roads of the Midwest, our Z51 had factory shocks that were annoyingly stiff. Same with Bilstein Sports.
Next I tried C6 base model factory shocks on the Z51 suspension, big improvement in ride but felt a bit too "floaty" for me, especially after 20k miles.
Finally, I tried Bilstein Heavy Duty (not Sport) shocks, they are a very nice compromise between stiff and mushy. We're very happy with them.
As always, YMMV.
On the bombed-out roads of the Midwest, our Z51 had factory shocks that were annoyingly stiff. Same with Bilstein Sports.
Next I tried C6 base model factory shocks on the Z51 suspension, big improvement in ride but felt a bit too "floaty" for me, especially after 20k miles.
Finally, I tried Bilstein Heavy Duty (not Sport) shocks, they are a very nice compromise between stiff and mushy. We're very happy with them.
As always, YMMV.
I had Belstein HD's put on my 08/Z51 on March 3rd....Not to stiff and not to soft, so for with only about 50 miles on them I love the ride 100% over the OEM's.... 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 347
Likes: 13
From: san diego ca
shocks
just wanted to report back on my 07 Vette and the shock replacement. I put on AC/Delco OEM shocks and new sway bar end links. The ride is better, not so much jarring on potholes, no clunking noises going over speed bumps. Feels more stable on corners. I'm a happy camper!!