Z06 shocks

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Dec 21, 2011 | 09:37 AM

#21

Jim_H

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2006

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Quote:

Originally Posted by AzDave47

The Bilstein Sports for the C6 are stiffer than the Z51 shocks, but softer than the GM C6 Z06 shocks. My Z06 with the standard (not DRM revalved) Bilstein Sports rides and handles better than with the factory shocks for $300.

I'd be curious to try other shocks, but the fact that the fronts are such a PITA to remove will keep me satisfied with the stock Z06 shocks for a while.

Does anyone have any good tips, other than the tie wrap method, to remove them?

Dec 21, 2011 | 09:50 AM

#22

AzDave47

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2011

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From: AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_H

Rather than use tie wraps, I bend a part of a wire coat hanger around the base of the shock, and create a partial loop to connect above the top lower bushing, then compress the shock, fit the coat hanger in the top of the shock. That keeps it mostly compressed and the shock comes out fine.

Some people loosen the A-arm bolts to ease the shock out. While doing that may not affect the alignment, I didn't want to risk that.

Dec 21, 2011 | 09:58 AM

#23

Vegas Panton

Pro

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 552

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From: North Las Vegas Nevada

Z06 Shocks

I switched to Z06 shocks on my 2009 C6 Z51 manual transmission car to get rid of wheel hop during drag racing. The wheel hop occurred with both Nitto and BFG drag radials at various tire pressures. I read on this forum that the Z06 shocks helped. Bought a set from GM Parts Direct

and installed them. Problem solved

Dec 21, 2011 | 10:58 AM

#24

AzDave47

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2011

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From: AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegas Panton

and installed them. Problem solved

On the Z06, the factory shocks are subject to wheel hop and have too much rebound so they are twitchy over bumps. Many Z06 owners have gone to Bilstein Sports $300, DRM Bilsteins $450 or Phadt Johnny O'C, a little more , to get rid of the twitchy back end. Maybe the added 70HP makes the difference but LS2-3 motors with a little work can be up in the stock Z06 HP range.

My Bilstein Sports got rid of the twitchy back end and I have had wheel hop only very briefly on the 1-2 shift on one pass (of 11) at the Mojave Mile (173.5 MPH trap). I am very happy with this $300 replacement.

Dec 21, 2011 | 12:05 PM

#25

Magneson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 8,065

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From: So Cal the welfare state!

I have to say as a Z06 owner that bump steer is a problem with the oem equipment. I am currently looking to upgrade to Johnny O. shocks and possibly sway bars too.

Dec 21, 2011 | 12:05 PM

#26

Pfadt Racing

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2009

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_H

Maybe this makes some sense since the Pfadt Johnny O'Connell shock/sway setup has worked for many people by combining a specially valved Sachs shock with these stiffer bars. I would hazzard a guess that the Pfadt valving could be closer to the Sachs Z06 shocks than the Sachs Z51 shocks.

Not to split hairs here, but an important point is that while the Johnny O'Connell shocks are built by Sachs, they are valved specifically to our specification after track and street testing with Johnny. They don't really have a whole lot in common with the Sachs Z06 or the Sachs Z51 shocks other than being built into the same bodies. The damping between our Johnny O'Connell shocks and the Sachs OEM parts are very different... overall they are closer in performance goals to the Z06 shocks than Z51, but the way they go about achieving those goals is different.

Dec 22, 2011 | 11:44 AM

#27

MIGHTYM0USE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 2,690

Likes: 116

From: Richmond area Va

they sound like a great bang for the buck, hopefully this means i wont have too much trouble re-homing the oem shocks off the 15k mile z06 im picking up tomorrow. they will be available starting.. tomorrow lol.