Which shocks for Autocross?
07-26-2007, 11:51 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Which shocks for Autocross?
I have a 2001 C5 coupe, automatic, Z06 stabaliser bars front and rear.
I want to up-grade my shock absorbers for autocrossing.
What shocks do I want? GM Parts Direct has a set of 4 2004 Z06 shocks for $432. Mid America Motorsports has a set of 4 Bilstein "sport" (competition) shocks for $299. Autocrossers, your thoughts, please.
Roger T
I want to up-grade my shock absorbers for autocrossing.
What shocks do I want? GM Parts Direct has a set of 4 2004 Z06 shocks for $432. Mid America Motorsports has a set of 4 Bilstein "sport" (competition) shocks for $299. Autocrossers, your thoughts, please.
Roger T
07-27-2007, 02:15 AM
#3
Race Director
The bilstein shocks handle better than the Z06 shocks, but at a rather significant sacrifice in ride quality. For an autocross only car, I'd go with Bilsteins, street driver, Z06.
07-27-2007, 02:20 AM
#4
Race Director
Member Since: Aug 2006
Location: Are you fat because you're lazy or lazy because you're fat? San Jose, CA
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I think the Bilstein Sports are a great deal. The ride can get pretty harsh over nasty roads, but it's worth it on the twisties. With my Hotchkis bars it's extremely flat through the corners.
07-27-2007, 03:53 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Mar 2007
Location: Lower Lake Ca
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I love my Bilstein Sports coupled with Hotchkiss bars and ZO6 springs, it handles GREAT and not too rough on the street....at least my wife hasn't complained
07-27-2007, 04:28 PM
#6
Pro
Member Since: Mar 2006
Location: Spring Hill Florida
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Bilsteins
I've been running Bilsteins on my '86 (on my second set) since 1989. They ride a little harsher than stock but it's a Corvette not a Cadillac. As soon as the shocks on my '03 are done; it's Bilsteins for her.
07-27-2007, 08:58 PM
#7
Pro
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Please, your imput.
Hey guys,
I just know there are some of you with some seasoned experiance with C5 autocross / street suspension. Help me make a smart decision on shock choice. Z06, Bilstein, other?
Roger T
I just know there are some of you with some seasoned experiance with C5 autocross / street suspension. Help me make a smart decision on shock choice. Z06, Bilstein, other?
Roger T
07-27-2007, 09:12 PM
#8
Drifting
oops, forgot to mention what im using in my post, sorry about that. ive got bilsteins, they came with the lg coilovers i run on my dd/autocrosser. i have yet to revalve them, they seem fine for what the car is right now but in a year or two when its much more class prepped ill probably start messing with rebuilding them more.
personally i think they ride fine, but i can see how others would think they are a little harsh. if youre area gets a lot of ice and the roads show it, id say bilsteins will probably be too harsh if you drive on the street regularly. if youve got good roads or the car is autocross only, bilsteins at a minimum would be the way to go. i love them on my car and they handle great at an autocross or on the street.
id say if youre on a budget, z06s
if you can spend a little more, bilsteins
if money is no object, penskes
jmo
personally i think they ride fine, but i can see how others would think they are a little harsh. if youre area gets a lot of ice and the roads show it, id say bilsteins will probably be too harsh if you drive on the street regularly. if youve got good roads or the car is autocross only, bilsteins at a minimum would be the way to go. i love them on my car and they handle great at an autocross or on the street.
id say if youre on a budget, z06s
if you can spend a little more, bilsteins
if money is no object, penskes
jmo
07-27-2007, 09:23 PM
#9
Pro
Thread Starter
Member Since: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
oops, forgot to mention what im using in my post, sorry about that. ive got bilsteins, they came with the lg coilovers i run on my dd/autocrosser. i have yet to revalve them, they seem fine for what the car is right now but in a year or two when its much more class prepped ill probably start messing with rebuilding them more.
personally i think they ride fine, but i can see how others would think they are a little harsh. if youre area gets a lot of ice and the roads show it, id say bilsteins will probably be too harsh if you drive on the street regularly. if youve got good roads or the car is autocross only, bilsteins at a minimum would be the way to go. i love them on my car and they handle great at an autocross or on the street.
id say if youre on a budget, z06s
if you can spend a little more, bilsteins
if money is no object, penskes
jmo
personally i think they ride fine, but i can see how others would think they are a little harsh. if youre area gets a lot of ice and the roads show it, id say bilsteins will probably be too harsh if you drive on the street regularly. if youve got good roads or the car is autocross only, bilsteins at a minimum would be the way to go. i love them on my car and they handle great at an autocross or on the street.
id say if youre on a budget, z06s
if you can spend a little more, bilsteins
if money is no object, penskes
jmo
jmo, interestingly, the Z06 shocks, from GM Parts Direct on sale , are$432 and the Bilstein Sports (competition) are $299 from Mid America Motorsports. Thank you for your imput. I hope we can keep this thread going. I hope to learn more.
Roger T
07-27-2007, 09:26 PM
#10
Drifting
thats good to know. sorry about the price mix up. ive been going by used prices recently so thats what i went with there. a couple of the ss guys i know picked up the z06 shocks for 100-200 from people who went to coils.
07-30-2007, 12:47 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
INTHERED
Haven't run them myself but a couple of the people in the local events I run have and they like them.
07-31-2007, 02:50 PM
#14
Burning Brakes
07-31-2007, 04:54 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I've autocrossed with Z51 and '04 Z06 shocks, and there are some observable differences.
With the Z51 shocks my car would get a bit unsettled over bumps in the lot we run in. The Z06 shocks have taken care of that to a significant degree (although I couldn't tell you why from a technical POV).
I do know that my times have improved towards FTD with the same group of folks I run with this year over last year. Hopefully some of that is my driving skills, but I think part of it is the Z06 shocks.
I don't have any experience with the Bilstein sports in an autox environment, but on the street they feel very similar to the Z06 shocks.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
With the Z51 shocks my car would get a bit unsettled over bumps in the lot we run in. The Z06 shocks have taken care of that to a significant degree (although I couldn't tell you why from a technical POV).
I do know that my times have improved towards FTD with the same group of folks I run with this year over last year. Hopefully some of that is my driving skills, but I think part of it is the Z06 shocks.
I don't have any experience with the Bilstein sports in an autox environment, but on the street they feel very similar to the Z06 shocks.
HTH, and have a good one,
Mike
07-31-2007, 05:07 PM
#16
Banned Scam/Spammer
Gene still has the C6 Z06 shocks on sale $223 shipped/four. (today is the last day though)
I have them, with the Z51 sway bars and KDW2s. Handles awesome however I have not driven any other set up to gauge them by. (other than the stock suspension on my car, which used to float, sway and every other ugly word one can think of for suspension)
I have them, with the Z51 sway bars and KDW2s. Handles awesome however I have not driven any other set up to gauge them by. (other than the stock suspension on my car, which used to float, sway and every other ugly word one can think of for suspension)
07-31-2007, 05:43 PM
#17
Burning Brakes
Gene still has the C6 Z06 shocks on sale $223 shipped/four. (today is the last day though)
I have them, with the Z51 sway bars and KDW2s. Handles awesome however I have not driven any other set up to gauge them by. (other than the stock suspension on my car, which used to float, sway and every other ugly word one can think of for suspension)
I have them, with the Z51 sway bars and KDW2s. Handles awesome however I have not driven any other set up to gauge them by. (other than the stock suspension on my car, which used to float, sway and every other ugly word one can think of for suspension)
07-31-2007, 06:07 PM
#19
Banned Scam/Spammer
This link has the special code to use. Let me warn you, when you put them on, your car will look like a 4x4 for about a week or so. Then it settles down.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=gm+parts
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=gm+parts
