Z51 shock change
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
Z51 shock change
Hi Guys,
I am new to the C6 pages due to my recent purchase of a blk/blk 05 coupe.
The car has Z51 that the more I drive, the more I wish it had a softer ride. I’m an older fart that believes in comfort more and more every year. The roads around my home are in sad shape even with the best maintenance the city cares to throw at them.
I have read on this forum that one way to soften the ride is to change to the softer base shocks. I have also read that changing the shocks may cause problems with the springs because the shocks and springs are matched to each other.
My question is; has anyone done this swap and put a lot of miles on the setup? Do things work out fine or do other suspension components start breaking down?
Thanks in advance.
John
I am new to the C6 pages due to my recent purchase of a blk/blk 05 coupe.
The car has Z51 that the more I drive, the more I wish it had a softer ride. I’m an older fart that believes in comfort more and more every year. The roads around my home are in sad shape even with the best maintenance the city cares to throw at them.
I have read on this forum that one way to soften the ride is to change to the softer base shocks. I have also read that changing the shocks may cause problems with the springs because the shocks and springs are matched to each other.
My question is; has anyone done this swap and put a lot of miles on the setup? Do things work out fine or do other suspension components start breaking down?
Thanks in advance.
John
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
The stock Sachs shocks have fairly harsh damping characteristics. You will be happy with Bilstein Sport (matched to Z51) or HD (matched to Base) springs/suspension. You might have to raise the car about 1/4-inch to account for differences in internal pressure between stock and Bilstein shocks.
EDIT: No problem with any other suspension parts.
EDIT: No problem with any other suspension parts.
Last edited by WHT; Aug 12, 2013 at 07:49 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,754
Likes: 89
From: arvada co
The stock Sachs shocks have fairly harsh damping characteristics. You will be happy with Bilstein Sport (matched to Z51) or HD (matched to Base) springs/suspension. You might have to raise the car about 1/4-inch to account for differences in internal pressure between stock and Bilstein shocks.
EDIT: No problem with any other suspension parts.
EDIT: No problem with any other suspension parts.
How do I raise the ride height? What is compromised when I change the height?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
You don't need to raise the car, just wanted to make sure you understood new shocks can change how the car sits. I don't know if your car is already lowered and might become too low.
There are several good posts on measuring and adjusting ride height (search ride height). If you do make adjustments, make sure you take pressure off the adjusting bolt with a jack or the factory tool. Very easy to adjust.
There are several good posts on measuring and adjusting ride height (search ride height). If you do make adjustments, make sure you take pressure off the adjusting bolt with a jack or the factory tool. Very easy to adjust.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 899
Likes: 209
From: Louisville KY
Hi Guys,
I am new to the C6 pages due to my recent purchase of a blk/blk 05 coupe.
The car has Z51 that the more I drive, the more I wish it had a softer ride. I’m an older fart that believes in comfort more and more every year. The roads around my home are in sad shape even with the best maintenance the city cares to throw at them.
I have read on this forum that one way to soften the ride is to change to the softer base shocks. I have also read that changing the shocks may cause problems with the springs because the shocks and springs are matched to each other.
My question is; has anyone done this swap and put a lot of miles on the setup? Do things work out fine or do other suspension components start breaking down?
Thanks in advance.
John
I am new to the C6 pages due to my recent purchase of a blk/blk 05 coupe.
The car has Z51 that the more I drive, the more I wish it had a softer ride. I’m an older fart that believes in comfort more and more every year. The roads around my home are in sad shape even with the best maintenance the city cares to throw at them.
I have read on this forum that one way to soften the ride is to change to the softer base shocks. I have also read that changing the shocks may cause problems with the springs because the shocks and springs are matched to each other.
My question is; has anyone done this swap and put a lot of miles on the setup? Do things work out fine or do other suspension components start breaking down?
Thanks in advance.
John
John
