Replacing shocks B6 or B8
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Clinton, MS
Replacing shocks B6 or B8
I have a 2006 drop top with the the Z51 handling package on it. It is my daily driver, like 70 miles a day round trip to work daily driver, it has 117000+ miles on it now and plenty more to enjoy. I bought the car with 54,000 miles on it about 2 1/2 years ago and i think it's almost time for new shocks. I have a chance to buy a full set of new in the box B6 shocks at a very low price. I see that B8's are really the right replacement shocks for it. Would I feel much of a difference with the B6's installed just driving mainly on the interstate.
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can't tell you the difference between the two but I scored some B6's for like $75ea for my 07Z06...had them on 2 days so far
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,338
Likes: 2,438
From: Eastern
I have a 2006 110K miles with Z51 option, and I had the same decision to make early this Spring. I have my car lowered on stock bolts, so i did purchase the B8 shocks. They give a nice ride, much better than my worn out OEM shocks. We use ours for road trips, so for the most part, we are driving on Interstates to get to our destinations, so a stiffer shock is not much of an issue in our case.
I think that if one wanted a less stiff ride, the B6 would be the choice. There were threads on this topic when I was doing my reseach, but they were inconclusive IMO
Good luck with your decision.
I think that if one wanted a less stiff ride, the B6 would be the choice. There were threads on this topic when I was doing my reseach, but they were inconclusive IMO
Good luck with your decision.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 873
From: Bay Area CA
At 40k+ miles, I installed the Bilstien sport shocks (now B8) on my 08 Z51. Much improved shock over the oem Z51 shocks in ride, dampening and stability around turns. The B8's were designed as a replacement for Z51 sport suspension which has a slightly lower ride height than the base suspension. The B8's provide a little firmer ride, than the B6 shocks.
If you like the an improved Z51 shock go with the B8's. If you prefer a softer ride go with the B6, but don't expect any handling improvements.
If you like the an improved Z51 shock go with the B8's. If you prefer a softer ride go with the B6, but don't expect any handling improvements.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; Nov 13, 2019 at 11:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
Sites have the B8 shocks listed for the C6 Z51 so that is what I would use .. The B8 shocks are made to work properly with the heavier springs of the Z51 suspension..WW
Last edited by WW7; Nov 18, 2019 at 08:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Clinton, MS
Update I'm going with the B6, A person in our club had bought some for his C6 never put them on before he bought his 19 Grand Sport. Gave me a great deal all four never installed for $150.00. I figured i could run them for a year or two and change them back to B8 if needed. Thanks for all the replies.
Last edited by Kirbo; Nov 18, 2019 at 09:25 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Eastern
Update I'm going with the B6, A person in our club had bought some for his C6 never put them on before he bought his 19 Grand Sport. Gave me a great deal all four never installed for $150.00. I figured i could run them for a year or two and change them back to B8 if needed. Thanks for all the replies.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Clinton, MS
Shock replacement
I have had the new B6 shocks on now for close to a month and right away could tell/feel a difference. Of course the old ones had 117,000 miles on them so there should be a big improvement. I did notice that on the old ones the left front was the weakest of the 4 that were removed. I got the car close to 3 years ago and it had 54,000 miles on it. I won't wait so long next time to replace them. The guy I got them from had a C6 and never installed them before he trade it in for a 19 Grand sport. He gave me a great deal of $150 for all four and even helped with the install.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: WV
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Last edited by WW7; Dec 10, 2019 at 07:16 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 174
Likes: 18
From: Sacramento
It's a very bad idea to mix shock types on any car, it can end with disasterous results..This is especially true if you push the car near it's limits on uneven roads. .When mixing shocks the front and rear then have different return rates which can throw the suspension geometry off... Imagine running with shoes of different heights on each foot, what would that do to your body.? ...WW
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