shocks, what do I need to know
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Gavilan Hills CA
shocks, what do I need to know
Its time for new shocks on my 05. Just enjoy corners a little to much, but most of my driving is highway. Thought about Bilstiens but am afraid of agrivating the harshness of the ride. Do I just put the stock from te factory back on? Ed
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
No personal experience as I have the F55 but.....with 7 years of reading about other members reviews of Bilstein, and Koni, shocks I think you would be very happy and probably surprised at how much better your car would ride AND handle with one of those brands. The Bilstein Sport shocks are the most popular due to price. Look around or search this Forum and C6 General. There's a shock thread almost once a week and all who report results are very happy. Good luck. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I run Bilstein Sports and really can't say they are any harsher than the Z51 shocks my car came with. They eliminated my wheelhop on launch though, and feel more settled on mid corner bumps.
If you have a base suspension package I'd consider Z51 swaybars too; they will do more for handling than shocks will.
If you have a base suspension package I'd consider Z51 swaybars too; they will do more for handling than shocks will.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 4
I have the Z51 setup and replaced my shocks with the Bilstein HD's. I hated the harshness and skiddish feel around corners. The HD's were the softer of the 2 Bilsteins.
The ride is awesome now. I don't feel every crack in the road or bump. My car is lowered on stock bolts and they don't bottom out and the car feels planted. I race my car at the drag strip and just ran my personal best with these as well.
I considered the Sports but am glad that I went with the HD's.
Jeff
The ride is awesome now. I don't feel every crack in the road or bump. My car is lowered on stock bolts and they don't bottom out and the car feels planted. I race my car at the drag strip and just ran my personal best with these as well.
I considered the Sports but am glad that I went with the HD's.
Jeff
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 790
Likes: 63
From: Ft Worth TX
I have the Koni FSD's on my 08 Z51 and was very pleased with the improvement over the stock shocks which only had about 15k miles on them.
Car is better settled on rough pavement, and overall felt more planted. They also removed the harsh edge from the ride.
Car is better settled on rough pavement, and overall felt more planted. They also removed the harsh edge from the ride.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 5
From: Ambler Pa.
I have the Koni's as well. 
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Florence Kentucky
I replaced my 06 base suspension with Koni FSDs and Hotchkis sways, and I was very happy with the result. Highway ride was still nice with 100% better than stock handling in the curves. Get rid of the runflats and it is even better!
Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
A good compromise between great handling performance and a smooth street ride is the Johnny O' Connell Series shock and sway bar package from Pfadt racing. These shocks are digressive in nature, meaning that the shocks react differently depending on road conditions and needs. For high speed wheel movement events such as bumps and ruts in street driving, the shocks dampen to absorb these events so the ride is the same or better than stock. For slow speed wheel movements such as canyon carving, autocross, and roadracing, the shocks stiffen up to provide the ultimate in road feel, balance, and handling. Match them up with the Sway bar, and you have yourself a well behaved Vette on both the street and the track. Let us know if you have anymore questions!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,404
From: Bethesda MD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 874
From: Bay Area CA
I run Bilstein Sports and really can't say they are any harsher than the Z51 shocks my car came with. They eliminated my wheelhop on launch though, and feel more settled on mid corner bumps.
If you have a base suspension package I'd consider Z51 swaybars too; they will do more for handling than shocks will.
If you have a base suspension package I'd consider Z51 swaybars too; they will do more for handling than shocks will.
