Shocks
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Love my Koni FSD’s, pricey though. Much better than the Base set up and not as rough as Z51 ride. I have the Z51 sways and upgraded end links. Car for street is great although wife thinks it is rough.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 625
Likes: 57
From: San Jose CA
Recently went through the research (here and elsewhere) for my '05 Z51. I haven't installed them yet but got a set of Z06 shocks.
My thread, but there are others:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-05-z51.html
My thread, but there are others:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...or-05-z51.html
Last edited by BackInBlack05; Dec 7, 2019 at 11:31 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,627
My testing grounds for shock is off camber corners with light road chop.
OEM z51 shocks, the back end will chatter out/ end lets loose in slight amounts on a hard drive out since the shocks can not keep the back end planted in the chatter.
B-8s and DRM's, little bit better in chatter, but you still get the back end that will slightly chatter out as well (just a little slower).
Koni FSD’s hold the back in, due to the added FSD valving for these type events that allows the shocks to react/keep the back end planted to this type of chatter.
As for smoother road course work, DRM's all day long, since they hold the car more level instead.
Hence DRM's are slightly stiffer dampened B8's to hold the vets more level in the corners.
So really, just depends what you want the car to do with a fixed (none adjustable) set of shocks.
OEM z51 shocks, the back end will chatter out/ end lets loose in slight amounts on a hard drive out since the shocks can not keep the back end planted in the chatter.
B-8s and DRM's, little bit better in chatter, but you still get the back end that will slightly chatter out as well (just a little slower).
Koni FSD’s hold the back in, due to the added FSD valving for these type events that allows the shocks to react/keep the back end planted to this type of chatter.
As for smoother road course work, DRM's all day long, since they hold the car more level instead.
Hence DRM's are slightly stiffer dampened B8's to hold the vets more level in the corners.
So really, just depends what you want the car to do with a fixed (none adjustable) set of shocks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 354
Likes: 27
From: NE Florida
Here’s several shock choices as rated from soft to firmer that was posted earlier by a member: C6 base, Z51 (some report high speed instability), Bilstein B6 (formally Heavy Duty), C6 Z06, Bilstein B8 (formally “Sport”). Another member who had driven his C6 over 200K and changed shocks 6-7 times (including both Bilsteins and inverted Pfadt’s), liked the Z06 shocks best.
On my 2008 base convertible daily driver, I recently installed the Z51 sway bars and Z06 shock combination from CULTRAG while keeping the C6 base springs. I wish I made this upgrade long ago. The only negative to me is driving more carefully through bumpy construction zones. It’s an outstanding base C6 handling upgrade on smooth road surfaces. For a DD, the Bilstein B6 or Z06 shocks may be your best bets. I may also try B6 Bilsteins on my next shock change, although have no regrets with Z06 shocks over stock OEM. Keep reading posts to help sort out what’s best for your driving needs.
On my 2008 base convertible daily driver, I recently installed the Z51 sway bars and Z06 shock combination from CULTRAG while keeping the C6 base springs. I wish I made this upgrade long ago. The only negative to me is driving more carefully through bumpy construction zones. It’s an outstanding base C6 handling upgrade on smooth road surfaces. For a DD, the Bilstein B6 or Z06 shocks may be your best bets. I may also try B6 Bilsteins on my next shock change, although have no regrets with Z06 shocks over stock OEM. Keep reading posts to help sort out what’s best for your driving needs.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,136
Likes: 212
From: Long Island New York
Bilstein B8 for Z51 cars and already lowered cars, they don’t further lower the car but just are a little stiffer then the B6. Did them on my Z51 and they aren’t noticeably stiffer then the stock shocks but improved handling from the worn shocks.
Last edited by NYC6; Dec 8, 2019 at 12:06 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 226
Likes: 45
From: Lake Mathews Ca
Once you try to install them (you have to compress them) you will see why some lower more than others.
There is a lot of pressure in the shocks, some more than others, so some take some of the load off the springs and keep the stock height.
There will be those that argue this and that's fine. I have put three different sets on this season and it does make a difference.
You can have my DRM's for $200.00, there might be 500 miles on them. Great ride just a little too soft for AutoX
If you want a stiffer ride the Pfadt Johnny O's would be $350.00 and also have about 500 miles.
There is a lot of pressure in the shocks, some more than others, so some take some of the load off the springs and keep the stock height.
There will be those that argue this and that's fine. I have put three different sets on this season and it does make a difference.
You can have my DRM's for $200.00, there might be 500 miles on them. Great ride just a little too soft for AutoX
If you want a stiffer ride the Pfadt Johnny O's would be $350.00 and also have about 500 miles.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 2,633
From: Draper Utah
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,443
Likes: 370
From: Maryville TN
St. Jude Donor '06-13,'16-'17, '19
Pro
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 667
Likes: 255
From: Duluth Georgia
I've got an 08', Z51 manual and went with the B-8's and couldn't be happier. Installed all 4 myself in about 2 hrs total, easy. Great improvement, feels firmer, not stiff, just firmer. It did Not lower my car at all! I made measurements at each corner and my height stayed exactly the same, made measurements for numerous days in a row to make sure they didn't ' settle in'... So who ever says B-8's are or will lower the height is wrong.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 377
Likes: 105
From: Boulder, CO
I just finished putting a set of DRM valved Bilsteins on my 07 Base. Along with the Z51 Bars I installed earlier, I am VERY HAPPY with the improvement.
Handling is amazing, ride quality is great, and I didn't notice any lowering effect. No Downside to DRMs. And they are about $525 for the set.
Well, except that they are having difficulty keeping up with demand. But the wait WAS WORTH IT.
Handling is amazing, ride quality is great, and I didn't notice any lowering effect. No Downside to DRMs. And they are about $525 for the set.
Well, except that they are having difficulty keeping up with demand. But the wait WAS WORTH IT.
Last edited by vezePilot; Jun 23, 2021 at 11:49 PM.
