crystallinity

Hi all,

My Z51 has started to annoy me a bit with how stiff it is. Will replacing the Z51 shocks for base model shocks provide a more comfortable ride? Any issues/fitment problems with doing this?

Also, if this is a viable method to remediating my issue, are the Bilstein B6 the proper shock to replace them with?

Thanks much.

dadsbadhabit

Does your car still have the OE Goodyears on it?

crystallinity

No, I got some BF goodrich A/S non-runflats, and it's still pretty stiff - tried this route first

07MontyRed

The regular (really, heavy duty - not the Sports, which are stiff)) Bilsteins will make it ride a LOT better, but it will never be truly cushy ... the springs are way too stiff for that. I would never pay the money for factory shocks (base or otherwise) ... too many good aftermarket shocks.

crystallinity

Are the ones you're talking about the B6?

Dano523

Here is the glitch, or difference of it than a base model.

The transves front spring is stiffer.
The sway bars are stiffer,
The shocks are stiffer.


If you looking of the ride of a base car, then all of these will need to be changed back out to a base model items instead.

If are are going to take on such a task, then such parts will be easy to get, and just do a post that you want to swap such parts with someone that has a base car. Hell, if the person is local, may even get them to swap the parts between his car and your for free as well.

VintageBikesUSA

I am in the same boat since my DD is a Z51 Vert that I drive around the streets of Nashville. The ride is just to stiff for everyday and I dont get to Auto Cross that often.

I will be replacing the factory shocks soon in hopes of softening the ride and "jar" I get when hitting a bump in the road. Aftermarket has come a long way but you can get base shocks for the car for a low price. It cant hurt the ride but we shall see.

I have replaced the factory tires but have lowered the car to the desired look. The rear is all the way down but the front is not and I am still on stock bolts. The roads are terrible in these parts so I am in hopes I can find a softer ride with a better quality shock without having to replace anything else. I really dont want the "base" ride but somewhere in between.

BWF07

Z51 is not made for those that want to cruise around town and look cool. Lowering the car took ride quality away also and it will not ride smoother with it lowered. Beside changing the shocks on a Z51 will not help. You will need the soft springs that come on a base model as wll as the roll bars.

JerriVette

I would suggest if the car is annoying you...your better off selling and buying something else.

Possibly a c7 with mag ride...or another brand of car.

I changed to bilsteins at 50k miles and noticed no change in ride.. or handling...and would suggest it was a waste of money. (The bilsteins recommended by tire rack for my car)

I don't think you ll get what you want...go test drive a c6 non z51 car and you ll see what you need to do..which is buy a different car..

Time for a new car.

I like the z51 ride and good handling but we are all different.

Shocks won't make the difference and changing the springs, shocks doesn't make sense..

C6KWJ

I will swap supsensions with you if you live in MA.

lawson1603

ill swap as well live in TN, ill even swap brakes to help out.

AORoads

ask "Gearhead Jim" who's now in C7 Gen. he knows!

Cherokee Nation

I put Bilstein HD's on my 08 /Z51 which have been recommended from many members and I love the ride now.You do not have to change springs or anything else from the base..That is BS....Note: I'm still have RF's also

marinablu67

What year, and how many miles on your car?

cadyshac

So what/how did the Bilsten's change with the way your car rides?

mikeCsix

I would look at changing the shocks to the OEM Grand Sport shocks. They are softer riding and GS suspension specific but would have now issue with the Z-51 optioned cars.
The Z-51 and GS share the same spring rates, The GS and Z06 share the same sway bars (due to tire sizes) so going to GS shocks won't be too surprising handling wise, just make for a plusher ride.

I had an '08 Z-51 and thought it rode pretty hard. I sold it in '12 and picked up a GS and was amazed at the noticeable difference. The other reason is the OEM shocks are reasonably priced. I tried a set of DRM Bilsteins on the GS, though they were okay (rode rougher) I wasn't enamored with the quality of Bilstein. I sold those and went to the JOC suspension - shocks and sway bars. The ride is about what the '08 was, about as stiff as I will tolerate, but the cornering is amazing.

One caveat, I enjoy track days so handling is important and I moved the car to Arizona where the roads are MUCH better than Seattle and the Northwest. If I had to stay on rough roads, I would certainly entertain the idea of going back to OEM GS shocks.

Bruze

That's what I was thinking. You will lose suspension travel also.

cam1969

Have a set of base sway bars you can have if you are near western South Carolina.

Cherokee Nation

This road I used to drive every day was so rough that i could not drink my coffee,after the Belsten's switch over, i can now drink my coffee without spilling it, It's an all around better ride.Don't believe anyone that said shocks don't make a difference.

cadyshac

Cool, thank you.