better ride
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
better ride
I have a 2008 Z51, the dealer says my shocks are fine ( have bumper to bumper warranty) but my 98 Z28 has a more comfortable ride on Monroe shocks. I'm thinking Bilstein, which in their series of shocks would be the most "Comfortable" I'm a cruiser and don't plan on eating up any tires no time soon. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
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From: Ventura County, Calif
Several members have reported good results using Bilstein HD's on their Z51. Here's one discussion I thought was informative:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-on-a-z51.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-on-a-z51.html
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I too found the ride on our 2009 Z51 coupe to be quite harsh on the bombed-out roads of Illinois, even with Michelin tires. I installed base model factory shocks in the car and the ride is tremendously better, not quite as controlled of course but handling is still very good and much less floaty than F55 cars set on Tour.
If I ever go to stiffer shocks, my choices are the Bilstein HD or the Koni FSD. Both have their fans.
If I ever go to stiffer shocks, my choices are the Bilstein HD or the Koni FSD. Both have their fans.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I too found the ride on our 2009 Z51 coupe to be quite harsh on the bombed-out roads of Illinois, even with Michelin tires. I installed base model factory shocks in the car and the ride is tremendously better, not quite as controlled of course but handling is still very good and much less floaty than F55 cars set on Tour.
If I ever go to stiffer shocks, my choices are the Bilstein HD or the Koni FSD. Both have their fans.
If I ever go to stiffer shocks, my choices are the Bilstein HD or the Koni FSD. Both have their fans.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
There is a HUGE difference between an F body suspension and a 'Vette suspension. The springs/shocks are much heavier duty on the 'Vette.
I had a 2000 Formula Firebird, used it to tow my boat and had to change to air shocks because the boat would drop the rear bumper 4 inches or more when I hooked it up. Same boat towed behind the '05 Z51 'Vette didn't deflect the bumper 1/2 inch.
If you want a soft ride you'll have to find softer springs. Maybe do a change to coilovers where you can buy any rate spring/shock you want? Remember that the great handling that the 'Vette has will disappear with softer springs/shocks.
I had a 2000 Formula Firebird, used it to tow my boat and had to change to air shocks because the boat would drop the rear bumper 4 inches or more when I hooked it up. Same boat towed behind the '05 Z51 'Vette didn't deflect the bumper 1/2 inch.
If you want a soft ride you'll have to find softer springs. Maybe do a change to coilovers where you can buy any rate spring/shock you want? Remember that the great handling that the 'Vette has will disappear with softer springs/shocks.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Haljensen-
My experience was somewhat different. I never tried to compare our 1998 Z28 with our Z51 C5 or Z51 C6. But...
Using the softer shocks in our Z51 C6 has improved the ride considerably, at only a small decrease in handling. Springs and sways remain factory Z51.
My experience was somewhat different. I never tried to compare our 1998 Z28 with our Z51 C5 or Z51 C6. But...
Using the softer shocks in our Z51 C6 has improved the ride considerably, at only a small decrease in handling. Springs and sways remain factory Z51.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Bay Area Ca.
Started out as base but I have the Z51 sways front and rear as well as the supercar tires. Also a thicker tunnel plate.
The car handles much better than when it's OEM configuration. Not track stiff but very solid as compared to the bouncy and lose OEM feel.
I have driven a OEM Z51 and did not like the harshness of ride. My present set up as describes is more complaint around town yet with the Pfadt street alinement handles very well considering street only car. Very predictable in the turns without the harshness.
I have upgraded the suspension on my previous two car also. A E46 M3 as well as a Grand Touring 350Z. Both where street only non DD cars too.
So much is personal taste for the street without the benefit of having lap times to compare.
The FSD's seem to do both for ride and handling but then I have other factors interfacing as I mentioned.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,029
Likes: 2,719
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Thanks for the comments, still pondering between the Bilstein HD or the FSD....
I've had Bilstein Sports on other Corvettes and definitely don't want them on these roads.
I've had Bilstein Sports on other Corvettes and definitely don't want them on these roads.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
There is a HUGE difference between an F body suspension and a 'Vette suspension. The springs/shocks are much heavier duty on the 'Vette.
I had a 2000 Formula Firebird, used it to tow my boat and had to change to air shocks because the boat would drop the rear bumper 4 inches or more when I hooked it up. Same boat towed behind the '05 Z51 'Vette didn't deflect the bumper 1/2 inch.
If you want a soft ride you'll have to find softer springs. Maybe do a change to coilovers where you can buy any rate spring/shock you want? Remember that the great handling that the 'Vette has will disappear with softer springs/shocks.
I had a 2000 Formula Firebird, used it to tow my boat and had to change to air shocks because the boat would drop the rear bumper 4 inches or more when I hooked it up. Same boat towed behind the '05 Z51 'Vette didn't deflect the bumper 1/2 inch.
If you want a soft ride you'll have to find softer springs. Maybe do a change to coilovers where you can buy any rate spring/shock you want? Remember that the great handling that the 'Vette has will disappear with softer springs/shocks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
+1 for the Koni FSDs. Switched to them from stock shocks on my GS and the improvement in ride and handling (particularly on rough surfaces ) is significant, IMO. Excellent shock and expensive, but based on my experience, they are well worth the money.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
There is a HUGE difference between an F body suspension and a 'Vette suspension. The springs/shocks are much heavier duty on the 'Vette.
I had a 2000 Formula Firebird, used it to tow my boat and had to change to air shocks because the boat would drop the rear bumper 4 inches or more when I hooked it up. Same boat towed behind the '05 Z51 'Vette didn't deflect the bumper 1/2 inch.
If you want a soft ride you'll have to find softer springs. Maybe do a change to coilovers where you can buy any rate spring/shock you want? Remember that the great handling that the 'Vette has will disappear with softer springs/shocks.
I had a 2000 Formula Firebird, used it to tow my boat and had to change to air shocks because the boat would drop the rear bumper 4 inches or more when I hooked it up. Same boat towed behind the '05 Z51 'Vette didn't deflect the bumper 1/2 inch.
If you want a soft ride you'll have to find softer springs. Maybe do a change to coilovers where you can buy any rate spring/shock you want? Remember that the great handling that the 'Vette has will disappear with softer springs/shocks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
If you want to believe that softer shocks make a big difference on ride quality I can't change your mind. Spring rate is what makes the ride, put 100 pounds in the back of the 'Vette and the car doesn't drop at all, put 100 pounds in the back of your Malibu and the bumper will drop a couple of inches. Springs, not shocks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
It does both jobs well ride and handling.