Harbinz51

Is there a difference in the Grand sport shocks and the Z06 Shocks?

Zoxxo

Same shock (according to gmpartshouse.com)

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RicK T

Well, according to gmpartshouse last year the front shocks are Z06 but the GS rear shocks are unique to the GS. Can't confirm, it's just what was discussed here.

Harbinz51

What changes did they make to the valving of the rear shock?

RicK T

Disclaimer: I don't factually know.

My belief is that, since the GS uses the old Z51 springs and the Z51 rear spring is considerably different than the Z06 rear spring, the GS rear shocks are valved somewhere between the Z51 and Z06. I haven't seen any technical info to support any theory so far.

LFZ

Nothing...they are both junk.

Harbinz51

LFZ

What do you recommend?

LFZ

DRM Bilsteins....might be alittle difficult getting a set as they are very popular right now and long time wait group buys can be frustrating.

acrace

Info for 2010s (don't know if it's different for 2011).

Front shocks are the same. Rear shocks are different. Z06 rear spring rate is only about 2-3% higher than GS.

RicK T

More like 21% higher by my recollection.

acrace

Approx 135 N/mm versus approx 140 N/mm.

breecher_7

There is nothing wrong with Z06 shocks.... Personally I dont think your going to gain any better performance from any other off the shelf shock. So if you want to, go ahead and waste your money. Id either go with the Z06 shocks or coil overs.

Ive had both and ive also wasted alot of cash in the past on other more expensive shocks... Bottom line is that the stock springs and sway bars hold you back alot more then the shocks.

LFZ

Keep thinking that....

You get what you pay for.....Z06 shocks are $10 shocks according to GM's budget.

breecher_7

That is why I run coil overs...

Yet i still disagree, the Z06 shocks perform just as well as shocks I had paid much more for. Like I said, the shocks arnt the downfall of the supension, the springs and sways are.....

But believe what you like. Ive had ALOT of different combinations on a few different cars on the track and I would still buy the Z shocks over the pricey ones. Just not enough of the difference to justify the price.

LFZ

OP asked what shocks I would recommend and I say DRM Bilsteins. The stock Z shocks are junk IMO, and I say this because I had them on my Z06. (I knew they were bad, but didn't realize how much until I upgraded) GM knew it too, hence the reason why they re-valved the rears in 2007-up model Z06s. The DRMs are a dramatic improvement over the stock Z06 shocks in every aspect of ride, performance, and handling.

So you have run many combos and that's great....you obviously are not using Z06 shocks either. I say the DRMs are well worth the difference, but that all varies on the OP's intended purpose. For a budget upgrade, maybe the improvement going from base or Z51 shocks to stock Z06 shocks is just what he need; however, stock shocks will always be lackluster when compared to superior products.

Zoxxo

I also think the Z06 shocks are borderline junk. They work OK but they are definitely one of the places that GM saves money on the cars.

I swapped out my stock Z06 shocks (on my Z06) for Callaways and the difference in both the ride and the handling was quite a startling improvement.

GM knows that a good percentage of the cars will be used for weekend cruising and decent performance shocks aren't a necessity for that. It's also a great way to support the aftermarket guys - those of us who want to improve the thing will spend the time and money to make it "right."

The OP didn't ask about gaining performance, btw - only if the two shocks are different. The parts lists make no distinction between the Z06 and the GS in this regard.

Looking at Bilstein's catalog they have the exact same part numbers (both front and rear) for the Grand Sport and the Z06 (Bilstein Sport shocks) so they can't be THAT different. And for $132 each I'd install those in a second over the stock things

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