Shocks....your experience
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 262
From: swoyersville pa
I think I'm going to try the aFE Pfadt JOC shocks with the base C7 front only sway bar and see how that feels. I don't have much problem with sway in my mountain road antics but the mushy shock action is bothersome. I definitely don't want to compromise rear traction or increase oversteer with guard rails right beside me on most mountain roads. And when I "floor it" the back settles/front rises noticeably which isn't really a problem but annoying.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Does this discussion thread also apply to a 2003 C-5 with Mag ride
You did not say which Z51 rear sway bar you have? There are two; one with the 26mm diameter and came the Z51 without the mag ride, and the other is 31mm with the mag ride. IMO the 26mm bar allows too much sway and far too much understeer. It is a significant upgrade to move to the 31mm rear bar. It is only $71 + bushings from GM Parts Direct.
The Z51 shocks (non mag ride) is a nice upgrade to the base shocks, easy to install but, it will not improve "ride quality". If will improve the handling of the car by providing tighter dampening over the base. The shock selection, BTW, do not have much effect on "sway". That is the role of the swaybars. My recommendation is to get the 31mm rear bar/bushings, install them, and see if you still want something more. I think you will see a fair amout of improvement in sway reduction and general handling without significantly compromising ride comfort.
The Z51 shocks (non mag ride) is a nice upgrade to the base shocks, easy to install but, it will not improve "ride quality". If will improve the handling of the car by providing tighter dampening over the base. The shock selection, BTW, do not have much effect on "sway". That is the role of the swaybars. My recommendation is to get the 31mm rear bar/bushings, install them, and see if you still want something more. I think you will see a fair amout of improvement in sway reduction and general handling without significantly compromising ride comfort.
Thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 398
Likes: 8
From: Corona CA
I want to do the same for my base C7 and for the C7 without going to coil overs, it looks like very expensive Penske's or the aFE Pfadt Johnny O'Connell shocks which are much less expensive. Here is AFE's answer to my inquiry:
"The aFe CONTROL JOC shocks were built around the racers Johnny O'Connell's specifications as far as dampening and valving is concerned, along with using OEM quality seals, shock body and pistons. aFe aquired PFADT and addressed many of the concerns and issues others had with quality. We certainly don't want to put our name on something, that is no good or fails. So we have address the quality issues in the past.
Now the Z51 shocks will handle better than the base C7 shocks, but if you are looking for comfort, while maintaining a flatter cornering ability the JOC shocks will meet your requirements. The base shocks are very soft in low speeds, tending to be mushy and unrefined, while you drive on higher speeds and hit bumps that are bigger they really tend to be harsh. The Z51 shocks are a level better over the base C7 shocks, but still hold the same characteristics as the base shocks.
We adjusted the dampening to be soft, yet precise in low speeds. While we removed the harsh ride during higher speed bumps. We are confident you will feel the improvement over your current setup."
I was at Corvettes at Carlise last weekend and found nothing for suspension on C7's. Ride Tech was there but told me they are still working on shocks for C7. We're on the third model year so I hope so. Rather disappointing. Now if you wanted an exhaust system you had a large choice of manufacturers.
"The aFe CONTROL JOC shocks were built around the racers Johnny O'Connell's specifications as far as dampening and valving is concerned, along with using OEM quality seals, shock body and pistons. aFe aquired PFADT and addressed many of the concerns and issues others had with quality. We certainly don't want to put our name on something, that is no good or fails. So we have address the quality issues in the past.
Now the Z51 shocks will handle better than the base C7 shocks, but if you are looking for comfort, while maintaining a flatter cornering ability the JOC shocks will meet your requirements. The base shocks are very soft in low speeds, tending to be mushy and unrefined, while you drive on higher speeds and hit bumps that are bigger they really tend to be harsh. The Z51 shocks are a level better over the base C7 shocks, but still hold the same characteristics as the base shocks.
We adjusted the dampening to be soft, yet precise in low speeds. While we removed the harsh ride during higher speed bumps. We are confident you will feel the improvement over your current setup."
I was at Corvettes at Carlise last weekend and found nothing for suspension on C7's. Ride Tech was there but told me they are still working on shocks for C7. We're on the third model year so I hope so. Rather disappointing. Now if you wanted an exhaust system you had a large choice of manufacturers.
I think I'm going to try the aFE Pfadt JOC shocks with the base C7 front only sway bar and see how that feels. I don't have much problem with sway in my mountain road antics but the mushy shock action is bothersome. I definitely don't want to compromise rear traction or increase oversteer with guard rails right beside me on most mountain roads. And when I "floor it" the back settles/front rises noticeably which isn't really a problem but annoying.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 473
Likes: 92
From: Indianapolis Area
I have both Z sway bars (non mag ride) installed on my base ZF1 C7.
I just got back from the North Carolina/Tenn mountains and was very happy with the handling, with the exception of overpowering the shocks at higher speeds and small bumps.
I was getting ready to ask about shocks when I saw this post. Thanks again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 94
From: Pittsburgh PA
Is this Marvin? I think I quoted you above.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 473
Likes: 92
From: Indianapolis Area
I think I'm going to try the aFE Pfadt JOC shocks with the base C7 front only sway bar and see how that feels. I don't have much problem with sway in my mountain road antics but the mushy shock action is bothersome. I definitely don't want to compromise rear traction or increase oversteer with guard rails right beside me on most mountain roads. And when I "floor it" the back settles/front rises noticeably which isn't really a problem but annoying.
TIA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 94
From: Pittsburgh PA
http://shop.penskeshocks.com/C7-Corvette/
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,475
Likes: 718
From: Black Forest CO
Just my .02 on the JOC shocks...
I had them on my C5 and was surprised at how rough they rode compared to the 04 Z06 shocks that they replaced. I replaced theJOCs over the winter with the DRM Bilsteins which ride much better and handle well as well. Unfortunately I don't think that DRM offers anything for the C7 (yet).
I had them on my C5 and was surprised at how rough they rode compared to the 04 Z06 shocks that they replaced. I replaced theJOCs over the winter with the DRM Bilsteins which ride much better and handle well as well. Unfortunately I don't think that DRM offers anything for the C7 (yet).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 94
From: Pittsburgh PA
Just my .02 on the JOC shocks...
I had them on my C5 and was surprised at how rough they rode compared to the 04 Z06 shocks that they replaced. I replaced theJOCs over the winter with the DRM Bilsteins which ride much better and handle well as well. Unfortunately I don't think that DRM offers anything for the C7 (yet).
I had them on my C5 and was surprised at how rough they rode compared to the 04 Z06 shocks that they replaced. I replaced theJOCs over the winter with the DRM Bilsteins which ride much better and handle well as well. Unfortunately I don't think that DRM offers anything for the C7 (yet).