Suspension mods....shock differences
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 7
From: Vancouver Island, B.C.
Suspension mods....shock differences
2007 Base M6 coupe 1LT.
I just bought the car, and even though bone stock (except for Magnaflows), it is a superb beast.
I want to be able to say I personalized it and while I’m choosing to leave the motor alone, I bought some Z51 stabilizer bars.
I am never going to track the car so what would a very AFFORDABLE choice of shocks be?
I don’t want a stagecoach ride so I’m thinking the very cheap Z06 shocks or I see Bilstiens have several choices out there at twice the cost.
My question....stock Z06 vs....any flavor of Bilsteins, which would be the smoother, touring type feel to them for this old guy?
There is 74,000 on the clock so I’m thinking the stock ones are getting on.
Thanks!
I just bought the car, and even though bone stock (except for Magnaflows), it is a superb beast.
I want to be able to say I personalized it and while I’m choosing to leave the motor alone, I bought some Z51 stabilizer bars.
I am never going to track the car so what would a very AFFORDABLE choice of shocks be?
I don’t want a stagecoach ride so I’m thinking the very cheap Z06 shocks or I see Bilstiens have several choices out there at twice the cost.
My question....stock Z06 vs....any flavor of Bilsteins, which would be the smoother, touring type feel to them for this old guy?
There is 74,000 on the clock so I’m thinking the stock ones are getting on.
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 428
Likes: 125
My 08 has z51 and I went with the standard Bilsteins which softened it up a bit. (I think the stiffer of the two are called Sport, which are stiffer still than stock z-51). Stock z51 handled really good, but was a little too stiff for my daily driver tastes. I also scrapped the run flats, and that helped a lot with potholes and such. It does feel a little floaty at high speed now, but I don't run up there very much anyway, so Its a sacrifice I'm willing to make. FWIW, I had the DRM Bilsteins on my '07 and they are probably the best choice for pure handling for the price, but ride quality suffered a bit. I've been tempted to try a fully adjustable coil -over setup, but I'm afraid I'll make myself crazy trying to fine tune it!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
I did Z51 sways and Z06 shocks on my 1LT coupe. Bought the sways new and found the shocks on the forum for next to nothing. I don't find the ride harsh at all. It's my idea of how a sports car ought to ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,291
Likes: 1,283
From: Phoenix, AZ to Quakertown, PA.
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I've got a 3LT coupe, A6. I went with new Z06 shocks and new Z51 sway bars, what a difference, I wasn't concerned about a "softer ride" per say. I guess maybe next go around for shocks I'll give the Bilsteins a try just for comparison. Good luck with your decision.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 205
Likes: 243
From: Wiltshire, England
I too have a m6 1LT base. It was stock when I bought it aside from Bilsteins. The ride was comfortable but too soft and floaty even on the road. I fitted Z51 sway bars and Z06 shocks from Cultrag, these were a superb improvement. By keeping the stock monoleafs the ride is still comfortable but the car is more controlled in the bends now. For those on a budget I think it's a good improvement.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 226
From: Coast of San Mateo CA
I too have a m6 1LT base. It was stock when I bought it aside from Bilsteins. The ride was comfortable but too soft and floaty even on the road. I fitted Z51 sway bars and Z06 shocks from Cultrag, these were a superb improvement. By keeping the stock monoleafs the ride is still comfortable but the car is more controlled in the bends now. For those on a budget I think it's a good improvement.
combined with Upgraded Sway Bars and also kept stock leaf springs.
Perfect combo for my daily driver as long as your roads are 3/4 decent.
not like SF City Streets the Worst in the Nation.
The Bilsteins were available from Rock Auto for > $400.00
New C6 Z06 shocks are also Excellant bang for the buck.
Was told the Bilsteins have a slightly Wider performance range
from soft to Firm, cant go wrong either way imo.
Good luck and let us know.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 83
Likes: 7
From: Vancouver Island, B.C.
I three have a 2007 Base 2Lt M6 that i just had the Bilstein B6 for non -lowered cars installed
combined with Upgraded Sway Bars and also kept stock leaf springs.
Perfect combo for my daily driver as long as your roads are 3/4 decent.
not like SF City Streets the Worst in the Nation.
The Bilsteins were available from Rock Auto for > $400.00
New C6 Z06 shocks are also Excellant bang for the buck.
Was told the Bilsteins have a slightly Wider performance range
from soft to Firm, cant go wrong either way imo.
Good luck and let us know.
combined with Upgraded Sway Bars and also kept stock leaf springs.
Perfect combo for my daily driver as long as your roads are 3/4 decent.
not like SF City Streets the Worst in the Nation.
The Bilsteins were available from Rock Auto for > $400.00
New C6 Z06 shocks are also Excellant bang for the buck.
Was told the Bilsteins have a slightly Wider performance range
from soft to Firm, cant go wrong either way imo.
Good luck and let us know.
From a price point and a very marginal decrease in performance/ comfort for this old guy, I think the best choice would be the Z06 shocks.
I should mention that I’m in Canada so don’t forget the low dollar comes into play also.
The price difference is quite a bit.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 100
From: Nova Scotia
I put Bilstein B6 (HD) shocks on my otherwise stock suspensioned base model 09. I'm really happy with the results. IMO they're what the car should have come with. They removed a lot of the floatiness and the car no longer feels unsettled when hitting small bumps going around turns at speed. They're slightly stiffer than the stock shocks, but in no way too harsh. I don't track my car, and the roads around here can be rough, so this is exactly what I wanted. I'll also second that new tires will make a huge difference. I replaced the original run flats with Michelin pilot sport 4s and the difference is night and day
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 154
From: Somewhere Near Bakersfield California
My stock shocks were squeaking and dead. they were too soft and had a lot of travel even going down my driveway I would scrape...
bought bilstein b6 hd and was suprised how much smoother and better the car feels. They are stiffer, no body roll, a bit lower, but they dont scrape on my drive way because they dont have dead beat travel like the stock ones did...
the bilsteins are also thicker tubes and makes the stock ones look like weenies.
the car is actually smoother though for some reason and better quality ride. Gonna need thicker swaybars soon for better performance
bought bilstein b6 hd and was suprised how much smoother and better the car feels. They are stiffer, no body roll, a bit lower, but they dont scrape on my drive way because they dont have dead beat travel like the stock ones did...
the bilsteins are also thicker tubes and makes the stock ones look like weenies.
the car is actually smoother though for some reason and better quality ride. Gonna need thicker swaybars soon for better performance
Last edited by Jaime-Corvette; Feb 9, 2020 at 10:17 PM.
