Bilsteins
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 90
Likes: 25
Bilsteins
I’m thinking about putting a set of Bilstein B6’s on my 07 Z51. It has 30k miles and the original shocks are good, I’m just try to determine if they are going to be an improvement. I definitely don’t want it to ride any stiffer or rougher, some of the roads around here are choppy.
I’m just looking for feedback from other’s experiences.
I’m just looking for feedback from other’s experiences.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 415
Likes: 247
From: Seattle, WA
The B8's should be more suited for the z51 trim. B6's are softer and more along a base non-z51 car. I just put the B8 DRM's w/poly bushings on my '08 z51 car for track day fun and they are much more firm than the OEM shocks. The DRM's are B8's manufactured to be even more firm. For me they aren't too firm for normal driving but that could be an individual preference thing and it's not a daily driver for me.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 54
Likes: 10
From: Northfield MN
I had DRM install regular Bilstein B6's (not the DRM-modified-for-track B8's) on my '05 Z51 about a year ago. Chukman is correct in that the B6's are a little softer than the OEM Z51 shocks. (I was actually a little surprised that I could tell the difference!) Also correct that the DRM B8's are a great set up for track time.
I daily drive and road trip my '05, so the stock B6's are great for me.
I daily drive and road trip my '05, so the stock B6's are great for me.
Drifting
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 1,744
Likes: 672
From: Lakeland, Florida
I bought a 2012 Grand Sport in original factory condition, bought it with 25k odometer. I had B6s installed just because the age of the vehicle. I do not track the car, only street driven, hard straight line pulls or 2nd/3rd downshift highway high RPM pulls. No complaints at all.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 269
From: Cape Canaveral Florida
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '26
NCM Lifetime Member
I run B6's on my 2007 Z51. I tried the B8's and they were too rough for daily driving (but great on track days). The B6's (essentially what I have run for 30+ years on different Corvettes) were a good compromise. Unless you do a lot of track days I would say away from the DRM calibrations.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 242
Likes: 120
From: Columbus Ohio
I just put a set on my car that had 15000 miles on OEM shocks. Drove it about 15 miles home and before where it felt like I was driving a boat in 6 foot swells, it now feels planted. Not at all rough or harsh, just refined. I’ll take it out late tomorrow and report back a better review.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 589
Likes: 256
From: The Woodlands, TX
I'm running B6's on my 2012 GS and love them. After spending decades riding street bikes I am used to actually feeling the curves in the road. For spirited driving the work well on the street. If I were tracking it then I would look at something stiffer for sure.
On an added note.... I've been running C7 GS wheels with run-flats for the past 3 and a half years after installing the B6's. No cracks, or bends to date, and have hit some serious bad spots on the freeway over the years. Wondering if the softer suspension is a saving grace with my wheels.
On an added note.... I've been running C7 GS wheels with run-flats for the past 3 and a half years after installing the B6's. No cracks, or bends to date, and have hit some serious bad spots on the freeway over the years. Wondering if the softer suspension is a saving grace with my wheels.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 485
Likes: 310
From: SoFlo
2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Do you guys have a recommendation on when the shocks should be changed in these cars. I know it's normally about 100K. My car has the Z51 (FE3) suspension. Are the B6's a good choice for this suspension package?
I bought my car with 80K so I think I might be close.
I bought my car with 80K so I think I might be close.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 82,465
Likes: 718
From: Orange County, CA
Racer
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 417
Likes: 78
I have B8's on my '07 Z51. Did not notice anything difference in ride qualtiy on the street. I do have my car lowered a tad with VMS bolts and for my ability it is perfect. Going to coilovers is not needed for my pace/ability on track.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,355
Likes: 543
From: Sarasota FL
St. Jude Donor '25-'26
Here is the thing about adding better performing shocks.
I added DRM shocks to a 2010 C6 GS convertible, a 2004 C5 Z06, and a 2009 C6 z06.
In all cases the ride and handling was immediately improved. However after a hundred miles or so it all seems normal and you no longer notice the improvement.
But, I would do it again.
I added DRM shocks to a 2010 C6 GS convertible, a 2004 C5 Z06, and a 2009 C6 z06.
In all cases the ride and handling was immediately improved. However after a hundred miles or so it all seems normal and you no longer notice the improvement.
But, I would do it again.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 415
Likes: 247
From: Seattle, WA
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 65
if you have choppy roads, I have bad roads here too and also do highway miles. on my 08 z51 it was like driving a brick down the road. wash board payment it would skitter across the road with even a small amount of power applied. I hadn't really ever driven anything that was so badly setup. after some research I skipped the b6's and went with the koni 2 speed damper. special something or other.. nigh and day around here on bad roads, I can actually get traction around corners now.
I have down 2 track days down in Florida with them at the FIRM. they did just fine running 1.21 lap times, my buddy bearly squeaked out a few tenth faster time in a c8 z51 at the very end of the day after I had parked mine. stiff cars don't always make for fast times as long as a little suspension movement doesn't scare the driver, and it can even be used to move the weight around during transitions from braking and getting back on the throttle early.
I recently got to spend some time in the north GAm mountains driving a buddy's c5 with the same koni shocks and they did great up there. I had no problem running with the faster cars of the group on the back road.
I have down 2 track days down in Florida with them at the FIRM. they did just fine running 1.21 lap times, my buddy bearly squeaked out a few tenth faster time in a c8 z51 at the very end of the day after I had parked mine. stiff cars don't always make for fast times as long as a little suspension movement doesn't scare the driver, and it can even be used to move the weight around during transitions from braking and getting back on the throttle early.
I recently got to spend some time in the north GAm mountains driving a buddy's c5 with the same koni shocks and they did great up there. I had no problem running with the faster cars of the group on the back road.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,726
Likes: 710
From: Bergen County, NJ
I’m thinking about putting a set of Bilstein B6’s on my 07 Z51. It has 30k miles and the original shocks are good, I’m just try to determine if they are going to be an improvement. I definitely don’t want it to ride any stiffer or rougher, some of the roads around here are choppy.
I’m just looking for feedback from other’s experiences.
I’m just looking for feedback from other’s experiences.
The ride was a little stiffer, nice shocks for sure.
But at your mileage [30K], you may not feel much of a difference. So, unless you are changing them simply for 'something to do', maybe you should save the money. [just my .02]