C6 Shocks - ZO6 or Bilstein sports
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 29
From: PA
C6 Shocks - ZO6 or Bilstein sports
Hi guys,
I took my 08 C6 MN6 for a good run on some twisty roads this past weekend and was a bit disappointed - it has the base suspension. The car feels too soft to me and it's time to upgrade.
I've decided on the Z51 sways as that seems to be the most common upgrade for my car. However, I'm on the fence on the shocks between the Z06 shocks and the Bilstein sports - don't want to spend the money on the koni FSDs. I'm also leaning a bit more towards the Z06 to keep the car looking stock - would have to paint the Bilsteins...
So lets hear what you have to say about both and why one would be better then the other. The Z06 ones seem to also be cheaper than the Bilstein Sports.
Another complaint I have is when going around a turn with some imperfections in the road, the car will jump and hop a bit. Will replacing the shocks solve some of this problem - I've read conflicting information on the forum. I've read that coilovers are the best options but I'm just looking for a decent upgrade that won't break the bank.
In the end I'm looking for a firmer stiffer ride that feels like a solid performance car - it's too soft the way it is for me.
Thanks
I took my 08 C6 MN6 for a good run on some twisty roads this past weekend and was a bit disappointed - it has the base suspension. The car feels too soft to me and it's time to upgrade.
I've decided on the Z51 sways as that seems to be the most common upgrade for my car. However, I'm on the fence on the shocks between the Z06 shocks and the Bilstein sports - don't want to spend the money on the koni FSDs. I'm also leaning a bit more towards the Z06 to keep the car looking stock - would have to paint the Bilsteins...
So lets hear what you have to say about both and why one would be better then the other. The Z06 ones seem to also be cheaper than the Bilstein Sports.
Another complaint I have is when going around a turn with some imperfections in the road, the car will jump and hop a bit. Will replacing the shocks solve some of this problem - I've read conflicting information on the forum. I've read that coilovers are the best options but I'm just looking for a decent upgrade that won't break the bank.
In the end I'm looking for a firmer stiffer ride that feels like a solid performance car - it's too soft the way it is for me.
Thanks
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 7
From: Hurst (Fort Worth area) Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
The Bilsteins will be better overall than the Z06 shocks, and will help with the rear end hop more than the Z06 shocks.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
I too went to the mtns this past wkd and it was a blast.
Car:
Base model- upgraded to Z51 sway, pfadt bushing, C6Z shocks, slammed on stock bolts (cut bushing), C6Z front leaf spring, BFG KDW 2 tires.
Car was on rails especially in Comp mode where it would allow me to push it harder w/o the computer interferring.
I would say go with the Bilsteins for the price. I would have, but when I bought mine the Z shocks were alittle cheaper; now they are the same price.
Road imperfections is more caused by the tires in my opinion. Especially the GY Runflat supercars. Always made me feel uneasy on roads with cracks, etc.
Have fun out their. Fall is my fav time to enjoy the vette b/c of the mtn scenery.
Car:
Base model- upgraded to Z51 sway, pfadt bushing, C6Z shocks, slammed on stock bolts (cut bushing), C6Z front leaf spring, BFG KDW 2 tires.
Car was on rails especially in Comp mode where it would allow me to push it harder w/o the computer interferring.
I would say go with the Bilsteins for the price. I would have, but when I bought mine the Z shocks were alittle cheaper; now they are the same price.
Road imperfections is more caused by the tires in my opinion. Especially the GY Runflat supercars. Always made me feel uneasy on roads with cracks, etc.
Have fun out their. Fall is my fav time to enjoy the vette b/c of the mtn scenery.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
My vote is for the Bilstein shocks as well.
The factory cars just do not seem to have as much control as what you will find in a high performance aftermarket shock such as the bilstein units.
A few things that you will find in Bilstein units that you will not in others:
All of this allows the shock to maintain full damping characteristics as temperatures rise.
This is what makes Bilstein one of the leaders in aftermarket shocks and why you will find them on everything from F1 to your local short track.
Anthony
The factory cars just do not seem to have as much control as what you will find in a high performance aftermarket shock such as the bilstein units.
A few things that you will find in Bilstein units that you will not in others:
- MonoTube design to allow heat to dissipate efficiently
- A dividing piston permits oil to expand and prevent aeration
- Seamless extruded shock bodies for superior strength and tolerance
- Solid induction hardened steel, chrome plated, polished shaft
All of this allows the shock to maintain full damping characteristics as temperatures rise.
This is what makes Bilstein one of the leaders in aftermarket shocks and why you will find them on everything from F1 to your local short track.
Anthony
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 29
From: PA
Good stuff - thanks for all the responses.
You guys have me convinced on the Bilsteins. Will these bolt up to my car without having to do any mods. I know some guys mention slight honing needed to fit in the Koni FSDs.
Also, what would be the difference between the sports and the heavy duty ones - would I even want to consider the Bilstein heavy duty?
Thanks again.
You guys have me convinced on the Bilsteins. Will these bolt up to my car without having to do any mods. I know some guys mention slight honing needed to fit in the Koni FSDs.
Also, what would be the difference between the sports and the heavy duty ones - would I even want to consider the Bilstein heavy duty?
Thanks again.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 595
Likes: 38
From: San Jose CA.
I believe that the Bilstein Sports are stiffer than the Bilstein Heavy Duty (confusing nomenclature). I have the sports (Z51) and they control the ride but seem a little "busy" to me. I would like to drive a similar car back to back with the Konis.
Good stuff - thanks for all the responses.
You guys have me convinced on the Bilsteins. Will these bolt up to my car without having to do any mods. I know some guys mention slight honing needed to fit in the Koni FSDs.
Also, what would be the difference between the sports and the heavy duty ones - would I even want to consider the Bilstein heavy duty?
Thanks again.
You guys have me convinced on the Bilsteins. Will these bolt up to my car without having to do any mods. I know some guys mention slight honing needed to fit in the Koni FSDs.
Also, what would be the difference between the sports and the heavy duty ones - would I even want to consider the Bilstein heavy duty?
Thanks again.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
The Heavy Duty shocks are designed more for ride and comfort than sporting applications. For our application such as the Corvette these would cover base and Z51 cars not looking to do a lot of track duty or that might want to install a large stereo where weight is being added to the car.
The Sport shocks are designed around more performance goals such as the Z51 cars, and those upgrading to a HyperCo leaf spring, T1 bars or similar future modifications.
All of these are complete bolt on installs, with no modifications needed for the car.
The Sport shocks are designed around more performance goals such as the Z51 cars, and those upgrading to a HyperCo leaf spring, T1 bars or similar future modifications.
All of these are complete bolt on installs, with no modifications needed for the car.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 8
From: NJ
I'm very very angry with my Bilsteins right now and too broke for Anthony's coil overs. I just got off the phone with one of dem LG bubba's.
My brand new shocks are all over the place. They leak. I know I'm probably the only one on the planet with this issue but I expect that.
Otherwise, the Sports are the way to go. It just didn't work out on this car this time for me. I've run them on my other cars with success. They can be had resonable scratch.
My brand new shocks are all over the place. They leak. I know I'm probably the only one on the planet with this issue but I expect that.
Otherwise, the Sports are the way to go. It just didn't work out on this car this time for me. I've run them on my other cars with success. They can be had resonable scratch.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I'm very very angry with my Bilsteins right now and too broke for Anthony's coil overs. I just got off the phone with one of dem LG bubba's.
My brand new shocks are all over the place. They leak. I know I'm probably the only one on the planet with this issue but I expect that.
Otherwise, the Sports are the way to go. It just didn't work out on this car this time for me. I've run them on my other cars with success. They can be had resonable scratch.
My brand new shocks are all over the place. They leak. I know I'm probably the only one on the planet with this issue but I expect that.
Otherwise, the Sports are the way to go. It just didn't work out on this car this time for me. I've run them on my other cars with success. They can be had resonable scratch.
For those running cars that are lowered past factory settings you can run into issues with shock length which is why our Bilstein shocks are custom made for us so that there is zero chance of the shock having issues with lowered cars.
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
bilstein sports bolt right in with no mods, also a tunnel plate tightened up my car nicely making turn ins much tighter, great improvement to the handling of the car, it will stiffen up the car so you will feel it but nothing too harsh.
