DRM Bilstein shock install
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 3
From: AZ
DRM Bilstein shock install
Just finished installing my front shocks. They are slightly shorter than stock but the positioning of the collar makes them even shorter when installed. I had to jack up the A arm to bolt in the top of the shock. It seems like that would limit my travel. Anybody install these lately and is this normal?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
i recently installed mine about 3 weeks ago. i experienced the same but didn't think much about it till you reminded me. i also had to jack the A arm a little to get the rear shocks installed. fronts were just fine if i remember correctly. car feels great compared to stock. c6-base suspension. i would like to know what others think about your inquiry.
Last edited by C6LS3; Oct 20, 2012 at 02:52 PM. Reason: spelling/additional comment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 3
From: AZ
i recently installed mine about 3 weeks ago. i experienced the same but didn't think much about it till you reminded me. i also had to jack the A arm a little to get the rear shocks installed. fronts were just fine if i remember correctly. car feels great compared to stock. c6-base suspension. i would like to know what others think about your inquiry.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
I installed mine about 6 months ago on a C6 coupe and it was like night and day from the stockers. Back to your question, that's normal. My understanding was that this shock was also designed for vehicles where the suspension may be dropped/lowered slightly and are the best shocks if that was your plan, if not, they're fine anyway.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2008
I think I got mine here, happy with the service. Wow, seems like they've gone up since last year, oh well. I think they're one of the best that can be had, besides a good set of coil-overs, but then we're really not comparing apples to apples.
I think I got mine here, happy with the service. Wow, seems like they've gone up since last year, oh well. I think they're one of the best that can be had, besides a good set of coil-overs, but then we're really not comparing apples to apples.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2008
I think I got mine here, happy with the service. Wow, seems like they've gone up since last year, oh well. I think they're one of the best that can be had, besides a good set of coil-overs, but then we're really not comparing apples to apples.
I think I got mine here, happy with the service. Wow, seems like they've gone up since last year, oh well. I think they're one of the best that can be had, besides a good set of coil-overs, but then we're really not comparing apples to apples.
The only place to purchase DRM Bilsteins is from Randy at Doug Rippie Motorsports.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
I can say that with my z51 suspension, that the "heavy duty" Bilstein's I have seemed to be matched perfectly. I would recommend the Bilstein's, either shock, over just about any other on the market, unless you go with some good coil-overs. The Bilstein's are stiff, but not overly so and their ability to recover and rebound is unmatched! Best shock you can buy for the money, by far!
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,066
Likes: 4,148
From: Bergen county NJ
All this talk of new shocks has me wondering at what mileage you guys decided to change out your shocks...?
I have 55k miles on my 08 C6 Z51 and didn't notice any issues...but as many of you are aware sometimes things like shocks can over time degrade without the owner realizing it..
How did you guys make the determination you needed new shocks...?
mileage or cause? Thanks in advance..(street only)
Also how did you determine you wanted DRM bilstein shocks versus traditional Bilstein sport shocks?
Did you buy the extra cost bushing from DRM instead of the bilstein bushing and if so why?
What made the DRM a better choice for a Z51 coupe vs DRM shocks for a Z06? Thanks.
I have 55k miles on my 08 C6 Z51 and didn't notice any issues...but as many of you are aware sometimes things like shocks can over time degrade without the owner realizing it..
How did you guys make the determination you needed new shocks...?
mileage or cause? Thanks in advance..(street only)
Also how did you determine you wanted DRM bilstein shocks versus traditional Bilstein sport shocks?
Did you buy the extra cost bushing from DRM instead of the bilstein bushing and if so why?
What made the DRM a better choice for a Z51 coupe vs DRM shocks for a Z06? Thanks.
Last edited by JerriVette; Oct 22, 2012 at 12:10 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
I have had some good experiences in the past when I ran DRM Bilsteins on my C6 Z06, so I answered your questions below in red. Hope this helps.
All this talk of new shocks has me wondering at what mileage you guys decided to change out your shocks...?
I have 55k miles on my 08 C6 Z51 and didn't notice any issues...but as many of you are aware sometimes things like shocks can over time degrade without the owner realizing it..
How did you guys make the determination you needed new shocks...?
mileage or cause? Thanks in advance..(street only) I wanted new shocks because the factory shocks are just lackluster in regards to performance and ride.
Also how did you determine you wanted DRM bilstein shocks versus traditional Bilstein sport shocks? I chose DRM because of all the "real life" positive reviews it was receiving on the Z06 forum from track to street use.
Did you buy the extra cost bushing from DRM instead of the bilstein bushing and if so why? If you track, I'd recommend the poly bushings, but I went with the rubber bushings Bilstein provided. I have no other poly bushings on the car and did not want to roughen the ride even more. The poly bushings do make the shock work harder which is a good thing on the track IMO.
What made the DRM a better choice for a Z51 coupe vs DRM shocks for a Z06? Thanks. DRM Bilstein shocks are specifically designed for the C6 Z06 ONLY. Although, they can be used on base C6s with no negative side effects.
The stock Z06 with its factory shocks suffered some stability issues such as "twitchiness" as well as a floaty feeling at the rear end. The DRM shocks cured this unwanted feeling, by giving you a more planted and absorbant ride do to its specific valving. The main thing I liked about the DRMs was that they were not as bumpy across mediocore roads and the planted feeling inspired confidence when entering and exiting a curve. I also noticed my tendency to wheel hop the car decreased tremendously. In fact, I never wheel hopped with the DRMs unlike the stock setup.
I have 55k miles on my 08 C6 Z51 and didn't notice any issues...but as many of you are aware sometimes things like shocks can over time degrade without the owner realizing it..
How did you guys make the determination you needed new shocks...?
mileage or cause? Thanks in advance..(street only) I wanted new shocks because the factory shocks are just lackluster in regards to performance and ride.
Also how did you determine you wanted DRM bilstein shocks versus traditional Bilstein sport shocks? I chose DRM because of all the "real life" positive reviews it was receiving on the Z06 forum from track to street use.
Did you buy the extra cost bushing from DRM instead of the bilstein bushing and if so why? If you track, I'd recommend the poly bushings, but I went with the rubber bushings Bilstein provided. I have no other poly bushings on the car and did not want to roughen the ride even more. The poly bushings do make the shock work harder which is a good thing on the track IMO.
What made the DRM a better choice for a Z51 coupe vs DRM shocks for a Z06? Thanks. DRM Bilstein shocks are specifically designed for the C6 Z06 ONLY. Although, they can be used on base C6s with no negative side effects.
The stock Z06 with its factory shocks suffered some stability issues such as "twitchiness" as well as a floaty feeling at the rear end. The DRM shocks cured this unwanted feeling, by giving you a more planted and absorbant ride do to its specific valving. The main thing I liked about the DRMs was that they were not as bumpy across mediocore roads and the planted feeling inspired confidence when entering and exiting a curve. I also noticed my tendency to wheel hop the car decreased tremendously. In fact, I never wheel hopped with the DRMs unlike the stock setup.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
I did it for almost the same reason as LFZ at 14,500 miles on my base 2011 coupe. After installing the DRM Bilstein shocks it removed the rear end "twitchy-ness" and smoothed out the bumps on the road. The "jarring" bumps feel like butter after the install.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,663
Likes: 359
From: Canyon Country, California
I picked up a new set of DRM's w/ poly bushings a couple months ago and changed out my stock z51 shocks at 8000miles, the DRM's are way better but you do feel the road more.