Do Koni FSDS affect ride height
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 153
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From: Omaha NE
Do Koni FSDS affect ride height
I have a 2008 C6 and it has the Z51 package. It is a bit of a harsh ride. I was thinking of adding Koni FSDs type shocks. I read in a couple of places that it can lower ride height some. Is this true at all? I dont see how it can if the car sits on springs and the shock just controls the bound and rebound. Unless somehow the shocks are preloaded or something. I dont understand. If it does lower the car some is there any problem with camber or tire wear as well as the tires bottoming out in the fender wells? Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
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From: Apache Junction AZ
The stock shock is a high pressure unit that offsets some of the sprung weight seen by the leaf spring. When taking them off, they have to be strapped in the compressed position before attempting to remove them. The FSDs, on the other hand, are an entirely different design that, among other things, uses a low pressure gas that is easily compressed by hand. This allows more weight on the spring and they settle in at a lower ride height, which can be offset with a readjustment.
BJK
BJK
Last edited by 07MontRedcp; Apr 6, 2008 at 11:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 150
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Mine dropped about a 1/4"
I was expecting a larger drop with the Koni FSD install.
I have a 05 Z-51 stock ride height. I was expecting more of a drop and thought I might need to use the lowering bolts to raise the height back up (there are NASTY speed bumps at the AFB where I work).
One interesting note is that when I measured the four corners prior to the Koni install, all the corners were different heights (by as much as 1/2"). I measured from the floor to the top center of the wheel-well (I know body panels differ in fit and this is only a rough way to measure ride height).
After the Koni install, the left-to-right height was almost exactly the same (not like prior to the install) and about a 1/4" or less overall drop in ride height. Maybe the non Z-51 cars (softer springs) drop more. I did my after shock measurements after about 100 miles local driving to make sure they had settled in a bit.
I am very happy with the Koni shocks. The ride and handling are better with the Koni's (I think the stock Z-51 is pretty darn good to begin with).
Cheers - Jim
I have a 05 Z-51 stock ride height. I was expecting more of a drop and thought I might need to use the lowering bolts to raise the height back up (there are NASTY speed bumps at the AFB where I work).
One interesting note is that when I measured the four corners prior to the Koni install, all the corners were different heights (by as much as 1/2"). I measured from the floor to the top center of the wheel-well (I know body panels differ in fit and this is only a rough way to measure ride height).
After the Koni install, the left-to-right height was almost exactly the same (not like prior to the install) and about a 1/4" or less overall drop in ride height. Maybe the non Z-51 cars (softer springs) drop more. I did my after shock measurements after about 100 miles local driving to make sure they had settled in a bit.
I am very happy with the Koni shocks. The ride and handling are better with the Koni's (I think the stock Z-51 is pretty darn good to begin with).
Cheers - Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 931
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From: 53066 WI
One interesting note is that when I measured the four corners prior to the Koni install, all the corners were different heights (by as much as 1/2"). I measured from the floor to the top center of the wheel-well (I know body panels differ in fit and this is only a rough way to measure ride height).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: merritt island fl
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My Z51 dropped after FSD install. It took about 2 turns on the front and 1 1/2 turns on the rear to restore the ride height. I measured from the lower A-arm pivot bolt to the floor. I noticed up to 1/4" variation in the measurements from day to day so I suggest doing it a few times and using the average. Also, make sure you are measuring in the same location on the floor. I marked my garage floor to be sure I was in the same spot each time a measurement was taken.
I don't 1/8" or so change in ride height will affect camber or toe enough to matter but I have not done the test.
I don't 1/8" or so change in ride height will affect camber or toe enough to matter but I have not done the test.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 395
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From: Poughquag NY
The service manual recommends that the ride height be measured using a tool from the lower control arm pivot to the lowest point of the control arm. They also recomment that you take 3 measurements after pushing down on the car and then three measurements after lift up on the car and take the average. The car will settle at different heights each time.
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Mine definitely dropped some, but I haven't measured. When I get an alignment, I'll have it all reset to stock height.
GM
GM
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Broad Run VA
Mine dropped
After the car settled, I noted that I scraped more in the approach to my garage from the driveway, and on some dips on the street that I take regularly. I didn't measure to see what the difference was. It definitely changed the camber on the front. I noted that I started to wear the inside edges of my front tires some, and I'd had it aligned prior to the Koni conversion. I went back up 4 turns on the front on each side, and think it's about back where it was now. Hopefully that'll put me back about where my orig alignment specs were. I'll watch the inside tire wear closely, too. I checked the rears, and they're wearing evenly, so I did not go back up on the rear.
Cheers
Fig
Cheers
Fig
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 395
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From: Poughquag NY
Z-51
I notice most here have posted larger drops with the Z-51 package. The Z-51 has softer springs and stiffer shocks then the non Z-51. This may explain why they tend to have a more dramatic change in ride height with a shock change then the non Z-51's.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: merritt island fl
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