Base Suspension Shocks
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 217
Likes: 15
From: Miami Florida
You can always go with QA-1 adjustable and get just the ride you want when you want or need it. That's what I went with with my C6 A6 2009. I am a happy QA-1 customer.
I did the Eibach sways at the same time, that really made the car tight
I did the Eibach sways at the same time, that really made the car tight
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Originally Posted by Gearhead Jim
As for other shocks that the you might consider:
Lots of people rave about the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks, which are supposed to be soft over the bumps but stiff around the curves; a great idea.
But Bill (AORoads above) put them on his Z51 car and said they felt just as stiff as the factory Z51 shocks. I was able to meet with him and we did a back-to-back comparison of our two cars (both Z51 suspension, both Michelin PS2 runflat tires, him FSDs and me Base shocks) on a modestly bumpy road. That was enough to convince me that I did not want the FSDs for the Midwest.
Lots of people rave about the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks, which are supposed to be soft over the bumps but stiff around the curves; a great idea.
But Bill (AORoads above) put them on his Z51 car and said they felt just as stiff as the factory Z51 shocks. I was able to meet with him and we did a back-to-back comparison of our two cars (both Z51 suspension, both Michelin PS2 runflat tires, him FSDs and me Base shocks) on a modestly bumpy road. That was enough to convince me that I did not want the FSDs for the Midwest.
Same question about bump steer would apply with respect to the Bilstien models if anyone has input on that.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Are the FSD's any harsher than the Z51's? I have JOC shocks and sway bars and the ride is worse than the Z51 suspension. But it did eliminate bump steer on curves with uneven payment/expansion joint issues and my font end doesn't bottom out on some speed bumps in my neighborhood. But now, the DC area roads have worn me down. If the FSD's ride like stock Z51, but still eliminate the bump steer, I could live with it.
Same question about bump steer would apply with respect to the Bilstien models if anyone has input on that.
Same question about bump steer would apply with respect to the Bilstien models if anyone has input on that.
As I mentioned to Jim, prior to putting on the FSDs, the biggest difference I felt was in the overall and slightly softer ride and compliance of the Michelin PS2s vs. the Supercar GYs. The FSDs seemed to change nothing after the tires. But that is just my opinion.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Thanks. Maybe I used the wrong term with bump steer. The problem I notice with stock shocks was the rear not being glued to the road on a curve with a bump or uneven payment and I could feel the rear move sideways. So if I was in left sweeper and hit a bump, the rear felt like it moved right a few inches. With the JOC shocks, the rear stays planted on the pavement in that situation.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
My recollection is the rear stays fairly well planted without skipping about. But my opinion is that it may be more because of the Michelins than the FSD shocks. As said in another thread, the GYs were good for a short while, but the Michelins stay good, longer, and imo are/"feel" softer to begin with. I call it more compliant than softer. It is also possible that your car probably has more rwhp, and faster response to same, which could account for some different suspension characteristics re skipping, instant-on power, etc. Just guessing there a bit.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 34
Kamado cooking local style....pull pork, pork belly, beef short ribs, Korean kalbi, pork ribs, brisket, prime cuts, chicken, fish and.........
Needless to say, one of my favorite "other" past time - smoke low and slow! 
I am happy you had a great time!
Aloha!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,701
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Just an update on my comments about the Bilstein HD (not Sport) shocks.
We've now got about 1,500 miles on them since installation, all street driving and no A-X or HPDE.
Previously, I said they seemed about half-way between the soft Base shocks and the rigid Z51 shocks. Now, I'd be more nuanced.
For ride comfort, they feel just a small amount stiffer than the Base shocks over expansion joints and rough pavement.
For ride control, they feel at least half-way toward the Z51 shocks. And that's a good thing, the base shocks always felt a bit floaty and allowed too much wheel bounce/hop/oscillation when going over rough spots.
For my purposes, the Bilstein HD's are an excellent balance of comfort and control.
But as always, YMMV.
EDIT: This is on a Z51 car with the Michelin PS2 runflats.
We've now got about 1,500 miles on them since installation, all street driving and no A-X or HPDE.
Previously, I said they seemed about half-way between the soft Base shocks and the rigid Z51 shocks. Now, I'd be more nuanced.
For ride comfort, they feel just a small amount stiffer than the Base shocks over expansion joints and rough pavement.
For ride control, they feel at least half-way toward the Z51 shocks. And that's a good thing, the base shocks always felt a bit floaty and allowed too much wheel bounce/hop/oscillation when going over rough spots.
For my purposes, the Bilstein HD's are an excellent balance of comfort and control.
But as always, YMMV.
EDIT: This is on a Z51 car with the Michelin PS2 runflats.
Last edited by Gearhead Jim; Feb 12, 2015 at 07:31 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Probably anything will be an improvement over the base shocks regarding handling.
Ride comfort is very subjective. Tires make a difference here as well. Spring rates too.
Yes I found the FSD's to be more comfortable than the stock Z51 ride.
I experienced the Z51 ride only once...so take it with a grain of salt. The car had the standard RF's and I run non RF's now. Although I did not the Z51 tires for a while with the FSD shocks and felt the same in thinking the Koni was a better ride.
I do know that the FSD technology does seem to do as advertised. Light and day over the OEM shocks and a sway bar increase is recommended too for the base car's suspension.
The base is a good DD suspension but in my opinion not compliant for sports car type handling.
For your average Joe probably fine but for someone that wants the little extra in the corners a sway bar and shock change is in order.
Ride comfort is very subjective. Tires make a difference here as well. Spring rates too.
Yes I found the FSD's to be more comfortable than the stock Z51 ride.
I experienced the Z51 ride only once...so take it with a grain of salt. The car had the standard RF's and I run non RF's now. Although I did not the Z51 tires for a while with the FSD shocks and felt the same in thinking the Koni was a better ride.
I do know that the FSD technology does seem to do as advertised. Light and day over the OEM shocks and a sway bar increase is recommended too for the base car's suspension.
The base is a good DD suspension but in my opinion not compliant for sports car type handling.
For your average Joe probably fine but for someone that wants the little extra in the corners a sway bar and shock change is in order.
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Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,342
From: Gilbert AZ
DRM Bilsteins are a great overall upgrade.
Just swapped mine out for Viking DAs and I'm very happy with them so far. So if you want adjustability I would do the Vikings, if you want a set of bolt on and go, do the DRM shocks.
Want smooth, turn them to soft. They have 360+ settings so you can dial them in for super comfy or harsh as hell.
Just swapped mine out for Viking DAs and I'm very happy with them so far. So if you want adjustability I would do the Vikings, if you want a set of bolt on and go, do the DRM shocks.
Want smooth, turn them to soft. They have 360+ settings so you can dial them in for super comfy or harsh as hell.
Last edited by Unreal; Feb 11, 2015 at 12:14 PM.