Bilstein sports or HDs?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 392
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From: Almost Heaven WV
Bilstein sports or HDs?
I have a base '10 coupe and it just seems kind of floaty over any little dip in the road. Doesn't really feel buttoned down like I think it should. I don't track it and the roads around here aren't the smoothest so i don't really want to change to Z51 swaybars (yet). So would I be better off with the Bilstein Sports or HD shocks? Are the HDs really any stiffer than stock and are the Sports too stiff for some rapid cruising the backroads? Eshocks has them both for the same price, so any suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: NYC
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I have an 08 vert and added Z51 bars with Bilstein Sports and my car does not wallow over dips anymore. The vert is a bit stiffer on city streets but still rides great. On the hwy it is like a different car, handles great
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
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From: Ventura County, Calif
The HD's are the recommended shock for the base suspension, Sports for Z51 but.......that doesn't mean you can't do the other kind on each as some here have. Seems everyone is happy whichever way they go. Here's a recent thread: 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-z51-sway.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-z51-sway.html
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,709
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From: Montgomery Il.
I wonder why Bilstein recommends the HD's for a base car and Sports for the Z51 option? Maybe they know something we don't. 
Bilstein HD's and Z51 sways on my 08 base coupe. Noticeable improvement in handling and feel with no loss of ride quality.
Your results may vary.
Bilstein HD's and Z51 sways on my 08 base coupe. Noticeable improvement in handling and feel with no loss of ride quality.
Your results may vary.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,912
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From: S.D. CA
Stiffer shock for the stiffer spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
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From: Austin TX
Not really, the base rear spring is actually stiffer than the Z51. It's the front that's a little softer.
Why make two different shocks? Depends on your driving style. If you drive your car like a sedate sedan, maybe the HD will do fine a stock replacement. If you drive it like it should be driven, the Sports are better.
Why make two different shocks? Depends on your driving style. If you drive your car like a sedate sedan, maybe the HD will do fine a stock replacement. If you drive it like it should be driven, the Sports are better.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
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I have a base '10 coupe and it just seems kind of floaty over any little dip in the road. Doesn't really feel buttoned down like I think it should. I don't track it and the roads around here aren't the smoothest so i don't really want to change to Z51 swaybars (yet). So would I be better off with the Bilstein Sports or HD shocks? Are the HDs really any stiffer than stock and are the Sports too stiff for some rapid cruising the backroads? Eshocks has them both for the same price, so any suggestions?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 1
From: Lake Delton (WI Dells) WI
FWIW, I just upgraded my Z51 sways and shocks to Pfadt JOC sways and Pfadt Sport adjustable shocks. The weather has been crappy here (just got 6" of snow yesterday) so I can't comment on the differences.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
HUH? In this instance the bars have zero torsion in them and are just rotating about the bushings at the same rate on each side. It's the irregular roads that you may notice a stiffer bar.
FWIW, I just upgraded my Z51 sways and shocks to Pfadt JOC sways and Pfadt Sport adjustable shocks. The weather has been crappy here (just got 6" of snow yesterday) so I can't comment on the differences.
FWIW, I just upgraded my Z51 sways and shocks to Pfadt JOC sways and Pfadt Sport adjustable shocks. The weather has been crappy here (just got 6" of snow yesterday) so I can't comment on the differences.
How many miles approximate on the shocks?
Good luck with your new setup, should be sweet!
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Not really, the base rear spring is actually stiffer than the Z51. It's the front that's a little softer.
Why make two different shocks? Depends on your driving style. If you drive your car like a sedate sedan, maybe the HD will do fine a stock replacement. If you drive it like it should be driven, the Sports are better.
Why make two different shocks? Depends on your driving style. If you drive your car like a sedate sedan, maybe the HD will do fine a stock replacement. If you drive it like it should be driven, the Sports are better.
Well, that's my theory. Waiting for the suspension engineers to join in here...
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,709
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From: Montgomery Il.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
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From: Austin TX
Kind of makes you wonder why some vendors offer revalved Bilsteins. If Bilstein was so "right", why would they do that? Maybe because of driving style?
Does Pfdat have the same valving as Bilstein? Of course not. Is the Bilsten HD a stiffer shock than stock?
There are many factors, not just one, that goes into determing valving. How you plan on driving your car is one factor.
This isn't a life or death decision. Get what you want and any version is better than stock.
Last edited by AirBusPilot; Apr 21, 2011 at 09:04 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Monroe Township New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
St. Jude donor in memory of jpee '14
I have the base with the HD shocks. I changed the shocks because I like to drag race and had experienced some wheel hop. The HDs work, I have not had any wheel hop since I installed the set.
With regard to ride, yes they are firmer and the car does take turns a bit better. If Bilstein recomends using the sports with the Z51 suspension and the HD's with the base I would imagine that they have done so with the idea of properly loading the tires
With regard to ride, yes they are firmer and the car does take turns a bit better. If Bilstein recomends using the sports with the Z51 suspension and the HD's with the base I would imagine that they have done so with the idea of properly loading the tires
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 18
From: Montgomery Il.
