Shock Upgrade
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Tyler Tx
Shock Upgrade
I have a 2006 corvette non Z51 with 35,000 miles and would like to upgrade the shocks, I have installed the Z51 sway bars and not sure what shock to go with, I like the ride but at high speeds and mountain driving the front end almost feels like it is floating ? any ideas please.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
BILSTEIN SPORTS + Z51 SWAYS YOU WILL BE AMAZED!!!!!! probably the best mod you can do to your base model $300.00 shocks + $200.00 sways and you can install your self! AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!!!!! it will ride like a caddy compared to the base shocks!
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 0
From: Canton/Detroit Michigan
That's funny! My base already rides like a caddy and I am trying to make it ride like a sports car. Too much bouncy bouncy!
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
For just a simple upgrade I would go with the Bilstein Sport shocks. Nothing beats the 60 + years experience and German race engineering.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,685
Likes: 1,251
From: NYC
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I added z51 bars and bilstein sports last month to my 08 vert, no more float and still a good ride, feels like a different car.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
IMHO you don't know what your feeling, the shock of hitting a bump is not bounce, if it "bounce's" up and down uncontrolled then you have a broken shock, a gas shock{bilstein} does not transfer that shock to the car like a oil filled shock does, hence a more controlled ride/drive. buddy you can argue with me all you want! BUT IF YOU HAVE A BASE MODEL THE BEST $500.00 YOU CAN SPEND ON IT IT BILSTEIN SPORTS AND Z51 SWAYS IMHO AND ABOUT 2500 OTHERS ON THIS FORUM! see gene culley for the sways YOU WILL BE AMAZED!!!!!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 786
Likes: 58
From: New Paltz NY
I vote KONI!
My car was ordered with the F55 option w/magnetic shocks. I thought if Ferrari can buy them, I have to get them.
They're cool to have - but as I read here before - and I agree...they will be very expensive to replace.
I used KONI's (German engineering) in my 2 - 944 Porsches for over 30 years - and they are super smooth and lifetime guaranteed. I think if I did it all over again, I would go STOCK and then add the Konis when
needed.
Still the F55 option is fun to play with, SPORT is very stiff and CRUISE is super smooth - with just a hair too much bounce. I think the KONI's would have been smooth with NO bounce. But hey, what do I know....
My car was ordered with the F55 option w/magnetic shocks. I thought if Ferrari can buy them, I have to get them.
They're cool to have - but as I read here before - and I agree...they will be very expensive to replace.
I used KONI's (German engineering) in my 2 - 944 Porsches for over 30 years - and they are super smooth and lifetime guaranteed. I think if I did it all over again, I would go STOCK and then add the Konis when
needed.
Still the F55 option is fun to play with, SPORT is very stiff and CRUISE is super smooth - with just a hair too much bounce. I think the KONI's would have been smooth with NO bounce. But hey, what do I know....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 922
Likes: 1
From: Columbus Ohio
Plus one more for the pfadts.
* Inverted body for low unsprung mass
* 16 points of adjustment with the **** right at the bottom for easy on car adjustments without using any tools
* Our single point damping adjustment give control of both compression and rebound damping
* These shocks can be ‘turned up’ for track or autocross use, and ‘turned down’ for street use.
* Compared to the Koni 3013 Sport, we even feature a lower spherical bearing mount in the front rather than a soft bushing
* Front lower spherical mount eliminates rubber bushings and provides superior durability
* Shortened body allows for lowering your car without fear of bottoming out the shock
* Pfadt Race Engineering proprietary damping and design specifically for the Corvette
* Easy, bolt on installation
http://www.ipsmotorsports.net/produc...oducts_id=3031
* Inverted body for low unsprung mass
* 16 points of adjustment with the **** right at the bottom for easy on car adjustments without using any tools
* Our single point damping adjustment give control of both compression and rebound damping
* These shocks can be ‘turned up’ for track or autocross use, and ‘turned down’ for street use.
* Compared to the Koni 3013 Sport, we even feature a lower spherical bearing mount in the front rather than a soft bushing
* Front lower spherical mount eliminates rubber bushings and provides superior durability
* Shortened body allows for lowering your car without fear of bottoming out the shock
* Pfadt Race Engineering proprietary damping and design specifically for the Corvette
* Easy, bolt on installation
http://www.ipsmotorsports.net/produc...oducts_id=3031
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
OE trusts them, LeMans racers win and trust them, you can even find them in the winners circle at your local dirt track.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 563
Likes: 2
From: Allen TX
I am in the same boat, but my car is bottoming out hard at speed because its too low, and I want to maintain control of the car instead of it going airbourne (even though thats a rush in itself!)
I did a LOT of homework, and I will be getting the PFadt sport shocks from Brandon at IPS... they are only a little more than the Bilsteins, and Ive had Bilsteins on a few cars, and I hated them... they ride too damn floaty and have too much roll in turns. Granted Ive never had a vette with them as I just got my first, but all the other cars had a similar "feel" and it is one I disliked... If you dont want to go with the PFadts for whatever reason, get Konis.
I did a LOT of homework, and I will be getting the PFadt sport shocks from Brandon at IPS... they are only a little more than the Bilsteins, and Ive had Bilsteins on a few cars, and I hated them... they ride too damn floaty and have too much roll in turns. Granted Ive never had a vette with them as I just got my first, but all the other cars had a similar "feel" and it is one I disliked... If you dont want to go with the PFadts for whatever reason, get Konis.
