I got HDs + Z51/Z06 springs for my base C6. Looking for an installer, but I hope the results would be good.

 

Hang in there....worth the wait.

 

Thanks.

 

Z06 and Z51 spring rates are different by the way.

 

Yeah, the front are real close, but the rears aren't even in the same zip code. GM used the Z51 front spring on the ZR1...so maybe he meant that? That or one of each...

 

Same here, though ours is a '11 GS. I'm making a shopping list for April/May next year.

 

Any idea what you're going to go with yet?

 

Looking at the chart like that, it's interesting that for the Z51 suspension, GM increased the front spring rate, but reduced the rear spring rate in the rear.

Then for the Z06, they kept the front springs near the same as Z51, but increased the rear.

 

There are a number of things you can do. DRM's will help, our G1 sway bars will help, poly bushings will have some affect as well.

I'd recommend starting simple. PFADT Street Alignment if I remember correctly is slight negative camber and slight toe out front and rear (roughly the same spec as a tilt-a-whirl). Try a little toe in rear (and a little more camber front and rear if you don't mind an increase in tire wear) that should allow the car to settle in the rear and rid it of some float.

Also feel free to give us a call 972-429-1963

Thanks,

Dane

 

I'm still perusing the forum and making notes. The only definite I have so far are Bilstein Sport shocks, which seem to be the ones most recommended for a GS. Aside from that, I'm still 'shopping' for the other stuff.

Here is another thread I'm following for info as well: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...uspension.html

 

Yeah I've been doing some reading also but found where some people thought the Sports were too stiff. I'm all for a better performing shock when I "need" it but if I have to suffer during all the times when I don't need it, not worth it to me. I'm going to do more research before pulling the trigger. Do you have stock ride height on your GS?

 

I hear ya. I've read the same thing, but I've also read the inverse so at this point it's a crap shoot imho. Yes, the ride height is stock on our GS.

 

I ran the off the shelf Bilstein Sports on my old '03 C5Z, and they were definitely not as stiff as the OE shocks on that particular car. Completely transformed the ride of that car...much smoother highway cruising, and much, much smoother over small bumps and pavement irregularities. The shocks just soaked that stuff up better due to their progressive valving. But when hitting bigger bumps and driving/cornering more aggressive, the Sports were stiffer when needed...the car was less jittery and just stayed firm and planted. That car literally felt like it was on rails after that. It was hands down the best bang for the buck mod that I had ever done on that car, and I kicked myself for not doing it sooner. I only wished the Sports were just a little firmer for the rear of that car, because occasionally I could bottom the car out...but I was about 5/8-3/4" lower than OE ride height. I think there's a shorter variety of Bilstein that could help with slightly lowered vehicles now though.

For my C6Z, I went with the DRM Bilsteins...because, why not? Custom valved for the C6Z, but will work just fine on any C5/C6 vehicle. My findings were the same on this car as the Sports were on my C5Z...smoother ride, firmer when needed, and the car stays planted. I think the DRM's might have a bit stiffer valving than the Sports, and obviously spring rates can play into this as well, but I've never ever felt my C6Z bottom the way I've felt the C5Z rear do on occasion. I believe the DRM's are just slightly shorter than OE shocks, which could also help with cars that are a "tad" lower (~.5") that OE ride height. I'm not fan of going any lower than that using the OE (or aftermarket) bolts, as that changes steering and suspension geometry as well as it effectively eliminates a directly proportionate amount of your shock travel (i.e. - lower the car 1", reduce shock travel by 1").

Having said all that, my cars alignments are always dialed in for "street performance".

 

Have you checked out the Johnny O'Connell Stage 1 Suspension Package?

I personally have the sway bars and love them. Although I have had them for a few years now so this is my new normal but I remember the first time on the road after getting the sway bars and being very happy. I don't have the JOC shocks since I have F55 and didn't want to replace it.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I had the PFADT street alignment done when I got Pilot Supersports mounted last year (Non-RF). It was an improvement, but still feels floaty on washboards. The softer tires may also have made that more apparent though.

I also wonder whether the 8 year old OEM shocks on my car are just getting worn out.

 

That's why GM invented the F55 magnetic shocks.

 

Likely are worn out.