Bilstein shocks worth the upgrade?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Bilstein shocks worth the upgrade?
2005 Z51 coupe is what I have. 73000 miles...Currently on stock everything. I am a daily driver of my vette. 25 miles each way to work on a fun curvy country road, then about 5 miles on I35 straightaway. Anyone have advice on the best shock upgrade for my year and model? Half of my drive is on "gravelly" asphalt which is kinda annoyingly loud, other have is great smooth asphalt. Im wanting to upgrade the shocks but being sure to upgrade the smoothness too and hopefully quieting the loud surfaces...DONT want to loose performance at all though on fun curves. Is Bilstein sport shocks the way to go? Saw some on Summitt that looked like a good deal. Just want to be sure and get the best...So Any sound advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 6
From: Waynesville NC
I've got them on my car but haven't really had a good chance (due to cold weather and salty roads) to see how they handle. Mine are the DRM Bilsteins available to forum members in a recent group purchase. So far, I like them a lot and can't wait to hit the back mountain roads this spring! One thing you'll notice for sure is that they're quite a bit stiffer than the factory Z51 shocks but depending on what you're looking for, it's not bad. I switched to non-runflats and saw an immediate improvement due to their sidewall flexibility.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 4
Love the HD's. Here's my post, some time back.
Jeff
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-on-a-z51.html
Jeff
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-on-a-z51.html
Last edited by Justasheet; Apr 7, 2013 at 06:30 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Love the HD's. Here's my post, some time back.
Jeff
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-on-a-z51.html
Jeff
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-on-a-z51.html
Last edited by cclive; Apr 7, 2013 at 06:51 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
Yes, I installed the sports at 46k miles on my 08 Z51 coupe and love them. Perfect shock for the Z51 package, should of been oem. At least GM got it right for the C7, Bilstein's will be oem shocks!
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 329
Likes: 54
Here are my thoughts on the DRM Bilstein. The executive summary is that they improve handling but ride quality over rough surfaces improves a great deal contrary to expectation.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...agnaflows.html
Also, there is a difference between the Bilsteins you'd get at Summit and the DRM Bilsteins. The Doug Rippie Motorsports Bilsteins are specifically valved (tuned) for the C6. I'm sure the general Bilstein's are still an improvement over stock, but it stands to reason they can't be ideally suited for all fitment applications. I went with DRM (and his $25 upgrade bushings) as so many others have raved about this set-up and now I know why :-).
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...agnaflows.html
Also, there is a difference between the Bilsteins you'd get at Summit and the DRM Bilsteins. The Doug Rippie Motorsports Bilsteins are specifically valved (tuned) for the C6. I'm sure the general Bilstein's are still an improvement over stock, but it stands to reason they can't be ideally suited for all fitment applications. I went with DRM (and his $25 upgrade bushings) as so many others have raved about this set-up and now I know why :-).
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,043
Likes: 9,807
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Here are my thoughts on the DRM Bilstein. The executive summary is that they improve handling but ride quality over rough surfaces improves a great deal contrary to expectation.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...agnaflows.html
Also, there is a difference between the Bilsteins you'd get at Summit and the DRM Bilsteins. The Doug Rippie Motorsports Bilsteins are specifically valved (tuned) for the C6. I'm sure the general Bilstein's are still an improvement over stock, but it stands to reason they can't be ideally suited for all fitment applications. I went with DRM (and his $25 upgrade bushings) as so many others have raved about this set-up and now I know why :-).
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...agnaflows.html
Also, there is a difference between the Bilsteins you'd get at Summit and the DRM Bilsteins. The Doug Rippie Motorsports Bilsteins are specifically valved (tuned) for the C6. I'm sure the general Bilstein's are still an improvement over stock, but it stands to reason they can't be ideally suited for all fitment applications. I went with DRM (and his $25 upgrade bushings) as so many others have raved about this set-up and now I know why :-).
I installed them on my C6Z along with the upgraded bushings. Much better ride and handling. Drove the car from upstate NY to Key West and back along with a stop at Sebring to do some instructing. They were great compared to the stock very stiff shocks.
Bill
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 693
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles CA
Put on DRM Bilsteins + poly bushings several weeks ago (had Bilstein Sports before).
After couple drives, the DRM Bilsteins + poly bushings have been shining! My '05 has become such a pleasure to drive, it feels so planted and feels more accurate than ever!
Will get to test them out at autocross this Saturday before deciding if I need an alignment or not.
But on the freeway, the feel and accuracy has never been better.
I highly recommend DRM + poly bushings over the regular Bilstein Sports.
After couple drives, the DRM Bilsteins + poly bushings have been shining! My '05 has become such a pleasure to drive, it feels so planted and feels more accurate than ever!
Will get to test them out at autocross this Saturday before deciding if I need an alignment or not.
But on the freeway, the feel and accuracy has never been better.
I highly recommend DRM + poly bushings over the regular Bilstein Sports.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Bilstein Sports for my '05 Z51, $297 w/Free Shipping deal from MidAmerica.
Tried the DRM poly shock mounts(installed less than 500 miles, already suffered permanent deformation when disassembled), then removed/replaced with Pfadt Spherical delrin upper mounts - difference in free articulation from the DRM poly bushing is day and night - way more costly - but the handling difference is something you would appreciate only if you have done it.
Doing it in stages is the only way to realize if there is any change.
By installing Hotchkis sways F/R after the above, it will be like icing on cake for the basic Z51 improvement on the practical level without going too wild.
Again, in stages to fully appreciate the improvements.
Tried the DRM poly shock mounts(installed less than 500 miles, already suffered permanent deformation when disassembled), then removed/replaced with Pfadt Spherical delrin upper mounts - difference in free articulation from the DRM poly bushing is day and night - way more costly - but the handling difference is something you would appreciate only if you have done it.
Doing it in stages is the only way to realize if there is any change.
By installing Hotchkis sways F/R after the above, it will be like icing on cake for the basic Z51 improvement on the practical level without going too wild.
Again, in stages to fully appreciate the improvements.
Last edited by victorf; Apr 24, 2013 at 02:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30,183
Likes: 313
From: Lake Norman NC
Here are my thoughts on the DRM Bilstein. The executive summary is that they improve handling but ride quality over rough surfaces improves a great deal contrary to expectation.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...agnaflows.html
Also, there is a difference between the Bilsteins you'd get at Summit and the DRM Bilsteins. The Doug Rippie Motorsports Bilsteins are specifically valved (tuned) for the C6. I'm sure the general Bilstein's are still an improvement over stock, but it stands to reason they can't be ideally suited for all fitment applications. I went with DRM (and his $25 upgrade bushings) as so many others have raved about this set-up and now I know why :-).
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...agnaflows.html
Also, there is a difference between the Bilsteins you'd get at Summit and the DRM Bilsteins. The Doug Rippie Motorsports Bilsteins are specifically valved (tuned) for the C6. I'm sure the general Bilstein's are still an improvement over stock, but it stands to reason they can't be ideally suited for all fitment applications. I went with DRM (and his $25 upgrade bushings) as so many others have raved about this set-up and now I know why :-).
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,066
Likes: 4,148
From: Bergen county NJ
I have the bilstein sports from tire rack on my 60k mile 2008 c6 z51.
A hundred or so less then the drm s...I went with the. Sports as they are a replacement for the z51 shock.
Nice replacement' less cost and a nice balance of ride and handling.
When I first did this about 10k miles ago I could say I noticed an improvement and it was a good mod.
Now it just feels normal ...I read the reviews of the DRM and they sound good. I almost did it but decided to save the hundred or two hundred...since the drm were designed for the zO6.
HtH.....tHe sports are better than stock but now 10k later it's hard to remember the old setup
A hundred or so less then the drm s...I went with the. Sports as they are a replacement for the z51 shock.
Nice replacement' less cost and a nice balance of ride and handling.
When I first did this about 10k miles ago I could say I noticed an improvement and it was a good mod.
Now it just feels normal ...I read the reviews of the DRM and they sound good. I almost did it but decided to save the hundred or two hundred...since the drm were designed for the zO6.
HtH.....tHe sports are better than stock but now 10k later it's hard to remember the old setup
Last edited by JerriVette; Apr 24, 2013 at 11:24 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 303
Likes: 4
From: San Jose CA
I have the bilstein sports from tire rack on my 60k mile 2008 c6 z51.
A hundred or so less then the drm s...I went with the. Sports as they are a replacement for the z51 shock.
Nice replacement' less cost and a nice balance of ride and handling.
When I first did this about 0k miles ago I could say I noticed an improvement and it was a good mod.
Now it just feels normal ...I read the reviews of the DRM and they sound good. I almost did it but decided to save the hundred or two hundred...since t)3 drm were designed for the zO6.
HtH.....tHe sports are better than stock but now 0k later it's hard to remember the old setup
A hundred or so less then the drm s...I went with the. Sports as they are a replacement for the z51 shock.
Nice replacement' less cost and a nice balance of ride and handling.
When I first did this about 0k miles ago I could say I noticed an improvement and it was a good mod.
Now it just feels normal ...I read the reviews of the DRM and they sound good. I almost did it but decided to save the hundred or two hundred...since t)3 drm were designed for the zO6.
HtH.....tHe sports are better than stock but now 0k later it's hard to remember the old setup
