What will bilstein shocks do to a C6?

I am interested in making a C6 handle like a go-kart. Alright, well maybe just more like a boxster if possible,

Joe

 

Oh, go Porsche yourself!
Or, get a Miata...

 

I might also go for a Bilstein PSS9.
I gave them a phone call recently, nothing done yet for the C6.

 

Yes, I think Bilsteins will be maybe a year out; got that estimate from them directly. But, I will admit, after my second track event in my stock Z51, I am gaining more respect for the factory setup. Coming from an M3, I miss the firm control. And the additional compliance in the C6 was, at first, a bit unsettling in hard braking or turn-in transition. But, I am discovering it detracts very little from its on-track competence.

During the last event, I gave a pass to a fully track-prepared BMW, since he was growing a bit larger in my mirrors. And yes, through the tighter sections he stretched out a bit, and then I was on him again the next straight. But the point is, that was an 1800 pound track car on sticky tires, and the difference was not as great as I would have thought. And I'm an intermediate level driver at best. Unless you carefully plan a complete suspension, with components tested in that combination, you might end up with a stiff suspension that is just......stiff. If you have already had the track time, and are sure of what you want, then by all means go for it. But, if not, I would strongly recommnd that you do so.

 

Z51 and a good set of tires can really get the job done too.

 

Both Doug Rippie Motorsports (dougrippie.com) and LG Mortorsports (lgmotorsports.com) have the Bilstein shocks in their on-line catalogs. Doug Rippie's site claims that the Bilstein's are available for the C6. There is a representative of Doug Rippie on this site (please chime in if you read this!) who might be able to answer some of these questions.

My stategy is to find Z06-class bushings and a set of Bilstein shocks for the C6 Z51. I would prefer Koni DA or Bilstein DAs if they are available. Does anyone know if the C5 Z06 springs are the same as the C5 Z51 springs? Thanks!

 

I had Bilsteins on one of my C5's and I can tell you that they made a big difference. I think they would be a great addition to a C6 for someone with your needs.

 

Bilstein's were disqualified for the C5 as an OEM for some reason.

 

Bilstein shocks should make a big difference in the C6 they should deliver better body control than the C6 Sachs shocks.....

 

Lingenfelter will be offering Koni DAs in about a month (see current Car & Driver). DRM has already done a C6 customer car with their Bilstein coil-overs. The C5 Z06 has stiffer springs then the C5 Z51; it's quite likely that stiffer leaf springs may not be available for the non-Z06 C6. For that reason, coil-overs are something that I'm seriously thinking about.

By the way, the C5 Z06 also had stiffer rubber bushings. I don't know if these will fit the C6, although DRM says the control arms haven't changed. The other option is polyurethane busings from DRM or LG. I don't think I would try the polyurethane bushings without reading a review first.

 

There was a good dialog on the Forum not not ago about handling for the C6 - Z51, in this case. Going for a harder ride doesn't always mean going faster. Your suspension is made up of tires, springs, shocks, other hardware and the geometry that makes them all work. Experimenting with one element frequently buys you zip - or worse. Wait around for someone that has the resources and expertise to make the mistakes required to settle on the right combination. If Bilsteins alone was THE answer, they'd be OEM on the Z51 again.

Or you could buy an old Boxter to play around with.

 

GM did make a better handling car: the C5 Z06! Recall that Dave Hill said that the C5 Z51 is 3/4's of a Z06: on one of their test tracks the Z06 is 4 sec. faster than a base C6; the Z51 gets back 3 of those seconds. Other reports have comfirmed that the C6 Z51 with virtually the same power-to-weight ratio as the C5 Z06 is a little over a second slower (see the current Corvette Quarterly). The difference is the better contolled suspension on the Z06.

The known differences between these two cars are: (1) tires (no run-flats on the Z06), (2) the Z06 has stiffer rubber bushings, (3) the Z06 has stiffer leaf springs, (4) the Z06 has stiffer sway bars (Z06 has 30mm F, 24mm R vs. Z51 with 26mm F, 22mm R). It is well known (see Z06Vette.com and corner-carvers.com) that the OEM Sachs shocks are mediocre. The Bilsteins are significanlty better (read reports from those who have installed them), the Konis are better (soon to be offered by Lingenfelter); the Penske and Moton shocks are way better and very, very expensive.

Of course the Z06 has a noticeably stiffer ride than a Z51. It all depends on what you want. I've never driven a Z06 and I'd like to hear from someone who can compare the Z06 with an M3 or similar handling car.

 

Brings up an interesting question. Everybody has been talking about the new engine and power of the C6 Z06, but I haven't heard much about the suspension and handling characteristics. I would assume GM would take the same approach as on the C5 in that the Z06 has much improved handling.

So hence, anybody know what's going to be on the new C6 Z06? Also, would it be possible to transfer the better parts to a C6 Z51?

I keep tabs on the handling threads as I too am looking for a bit more 'precision' out of my Z51.

Actually, this brings up another question. Does anybody know of a good informative site(s) where one could read up on the different suspension types and components (leaf springs, coil overs, etc...)? Preferbly one that gives the pro's / cons with diagrams so it's easy to visual what does what. I see the terms, and have a loose idea of what they are, but I would like to further my understanding of suspension components and such.

 

Add non-flat tires.
Next, corner weighting and a handling alignment.

Then compare the vette to the porch.

 

Would you like to have a go-kart type ride down a freeway everyday? You would get tired of that feel real fast. I can tell you this much: there's not a boxster around that can stay with a Z-51 or even a base C6 around a road course!!! Check road and track last month, the C-6 beat them all. the boxster was fourth 2.5 seconds behind the C6!!
So If you want to get hammered by a C6, by-all-means buy a boxster S

Andy G.