Bilstein Sport Review
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
From: Pa
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor MI
Shocks can HELP wheel hop, but from testing on several other cars (some GM, some not) I've found wheel hop to be a function of drivetrain wind-up. Stiffening up the drivetrain mounts addresses the root cause, but you pay a penalty in NVH.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
Lol, this thread makes me smile. I can't drive my car with 463 rwhp, so lets give it 650 and see how it goes. Sorry, no offense you just remind me of... well me.
I have Bilstiens I'm installing tomorrow. I've got a lil north of 500rwhp we'll see how it goes. When the blower goes on, all bets are off.
I have Bilstiens I'm installing tomorrow. I've got a lil north of 500rwhp we'll see how it goes. When the blower goes on, all bets are off.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,375
Likes: 406
From: Florida
They will make it better, but the danger is always there when you have EMTs.
Stiffer control arm bushings, as you indicate, can be an important factor in improving suspension control (and reducing wheelhop) by limiting deflection.
Last edited by TTRotary; Oct 29, 2007 at 01:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 0
From: Denver PA
St. Jude Donor '07
These were shocks from my C6 Z51 with 6000 miles on them. I will admit that when I first helped my friend change shocks on his C5 Z51 that we did use rope. However, when it came time to change the Z51 shocks on my C6 I didn't want to go to the hassle of tying everything up. If you ever need to replace shocks again, try the brute force method. If I can do it, so can you.
I tried the Brute Force method. There was no way I was going to compress them. I even tried using a crow bar. That compressed them, but extended out again.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,480
Likes: 45
they are thicker also
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 27
From: Southampton NJ
I'm not saying they won't help anyone, but they didn't help me. A lot depends on the driver and mods, gears, etc. I looked into adjustable shocks and there are people that will make them for about $1500. They were mostly road race guys that would adapt something for drag racing....with NO Guarantees?? I need more practice....I'm trying to talk Dave into a track rental again this year at Atco. That was the way to go. Start putting pressure on Cartek....we need a track rental
We'll see how it is in a few weeks with 650hp....bet it will just smoke
We'll see how it is in a few weeks with 650hp....bet it will just smoke
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,939
Likes: 448
From: CHOCOWINITY NC
It's not about the pressure...It's about the valving....Gas pressurized shocks are that way primarily to keep the shock fluid from frothing so they remain more consistant..I would think extremely high pressures would have more affect on COMPRESSION damping which does seem to be a bit high in these cars (hence the harshness)
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Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 67,022
Likes: 51
From: Beats UD regularly playing 3D chess, and at life
I've had the Sports on my 06 Z51for a while 
, Then had issues with the stock toe links, POS.
Ordered some new Pfadt heavy duty links with isolators and just go them in.
Looking forward to putting them on this weekend!
, Then had issues with the stock toe links, POS.Ordered some new Pfadt heavy duty links with isolators and just go them in.
Looking forward to putting them on this weekend!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl/Afghanistan
The Bilstein's are a great upgrage. Putting them on was a breeze in comparison to doing struts.
I would recommend retaining and using the front upper bushing in lieu of that provided bushing. Just looks more substantial.
Also, if you remove the front upper control arms, be sure to keep track of where the rear spacers go, as they are used to control the front end alignment. Carefully reinstall the control arm bolts as the bushings have a tendency to keep the mount somewhat on an angle. Surely don't want to cross-thread one of the frame tappings.
Lastly, I found that by using the jack under the lower control arm, I was easily able to compress the shock and get everything aligned properly.
Piece of cake...
I would recommend retaining and using the front upper bushing in lieu of that provided bushing. Just looks more substantial.
Also, if you remove the front upper control arms, be sure to keep track of where the rear spacers go, as they are used to control the front end alignment. Carefully reinstall the control arm bolts as the bushings have a tendency to keep the mount somewhat on an angle. Surely don't want to cross-thread one of the frame tappings.
Lastly, I found that by using the jack under the lower control arm, I was easily able to compress the shock and get everything aligned properly.
Piece of cake...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
I'm fix'n to order mine on Monday. When they come in I plan on letting my mechanic do the install. I watch and eat pizza.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 67,022
Likes: 51
From: Beats UD regularly playing 3D chess, and at life
hahaha......installation of links and urethane bushings went fine and it feels a bit firmer in corners, minimal body roll if any at all.
The stock bushings were already showing some wear and the rubber material is very soft compared to the Pfadt urethane bushings.
The stock bushings were already showing some wear and the rubber material is very soft compared to the Pfadt urethane bushings.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
That makes sense. @ 27K on my yr old Z51, I can already tell that the suspension has gotten soft. Compaired to most, I've already racked up 3 to 4 times the normal miles driven so it is time to tweek things. I do appreciate the reply.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 67,022
Likes: 51
From: Beats UD regularly playing 3D chess, and at life
I belive the Urethane bushings make the difference.
The stock bushings were rounded out and much softer than the Pfadt urethane bushings.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
Who'd you get the bushing kit from ?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 67,022
Likes: 51
From: Beats UD regularly playing 3D chess, and at life
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 29,113
Likes: 2,194
From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
NCM Lifetime Member
My wife's going to hate you Daaymmm, have they got some 
stuff for the C6. Help ...................... hide my wallet