MDPD23

I have an'08 coupe with the Z51 package. Car has 82,000 miles and I'm thinking of replacing the shocks. Seems the ride has gotten rougher. My questions are: 1) If there is no leakage, how would you know if the shocks need replacement. 2) I generally have my local dealer do work on the "vette. What shocks could I expect him to recommend and is there anything better than a GM replacement product?
I do not track the car but do enjoy the stiffness of the suspension so I don't want to give up that feeling.
Thanks!

Justasheet

I love my Bilstein HD's with my Z51 optioned Vette. They are plenty firm. Your shocks are pretty shot at 82K miles.
Jeff

AORoads

what I read some time back is for Z51, go with bilstein sports. HDs are for base suspension, supposedly. but many folks have mixed and matched with some good results. only other thing to look at is some of the tuners (lg, pfadt, etc.) who have shocks for your car. while highly respected, I can say that the konis (FSD) are ok, but probably not worth the premium price for my car w. z51.

Gearhead Jim

You can say that again!

AORoads

as in "mixed and matched?" I mean, c'mon! some guys will take a z51 and put BASE shocks on their cars, fer cryin' out loud!!!!!

Homer3D

If you need some replacements, I have my used set for sale here.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...f-springs.html

Mike's LS3

2008 Z51 manual coupe - replaced my shocks at 43k miles with Bilstein Sports and glad I did. I did not expect much of a difference, but the car feels more stable around turns and greatly reduced the hopping over bumps. The Bilstien Sports were designed for the Z51 and the Bilstein HD's are for the base suspension. BTW: I would not buy used shocks.

JerriVette

Ditto at 55k.. Ordered from tire rack and had GM dealer install. 2.2hours labor.

Great choice

Gearhead Jim

Justasheet

The Bilstein sports are designed for the Z51 and are stiffer. That's why I put the HD's on my car. What ever suits you is what you need, not just what others recommend. HD's are a softer ride than the Sports. Do a search, many have bucked the trend and chose their own application.
Here is my post from last year:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-on-a-z51.html
Jeff

MDPD23

Thanks to all for their comments! I'll probably go with the HD for the softer ride.

JRHAWK9

Are you sure it's the shocks getting "stiffer" and not you getting older?

I swapped mine for Pfadt's Inverted Sport Adjustables and sway bars and I like 'em.

MDPD23

[QUOTE=JRHAWK9;1582347444]Are you sure it's the shocks getting "stiffer" and not you getting older?

Probably a combination of both- Vette has 82K miles. I have 60 years

Mike's LS3

The Bilstein Sports will feel a little stiffer compared to the worn oem Z51 shocks or even new Z51 shocks for that matter, but in a good way. The Bilstein Sports really compliment the Z51 suspension. You will feel the suspension more planted over bumps and reduced body roll around turns. The suspension just feels a little "tighter" which I wanted. Since you quoted " but do enjoy the stiffness of the suspension so I don't want to give up that feeling, " I agree and feel the same way. My post is to express my experience with the Bilstien sport shocks and I have no experience HD's. As others have posted, this is a personal choice, so you need to go with you gut feeling.

JerriVette

I decided since the bilstiens sports came with a lifetime warranty why wait?

I would go with the sports as the ride is quite svelte with regard to bump control.

I believe the bilstiens compliment the z51 suspension. It's a nicer ride than stock in my opinion especially when it comes to mid corner bump control....

It's not transformative yet it's worth the few dollars it cost ..

I prefer to allow suspension and shock designers such as bilstien to make their recommendation and I follow them. It's all about balance and working together.


Bilstien knows more than I do so that's why I had the sports put on my z51.


Nice upgrade as a maintaince item but not HUGE change....very suttle (sp) but worthwhile

jss06c6

I swapped to Pfadt Johnny O stage 1 kit which contained their shocks set for these sway bars. Love the ride. Much firmer in the corners but great ride on the street. The ride is slightly stiffer than my stock Z51, but nice.

Justasheet

Again, a personal choice. The Sport was recommended by Bilstein towards the Z51 because it closely mirrored what the stock shock did. The HD is just one step softer. I'm happy with mine (HD's) and you sound happy with yours. That's all that matters.
Jeff

victorf

^^^You have summed it up well, my man!

In addition, or a major improvement after the Sports for the Z51 , should follow with Hotchkis sway bar.

Hotchkis physically is very similar to the JO from Pfadt, down to the adjustment holes, but at a better bargain. When used along with Sports, the balance is far above OEM Z51 and with the advantage of more comfort/composer!

Bilstein comes with Lifetime warranty, I wonder about the JO from Pfadt!

Steve Goetsch

Some places like Ecklers are selling autocross shocks from Bilstein. Anyone had experience with these as to ride and lifespan. Bilstein don't list them that is why I am confused as to what they are. I have a 96 Base with 60,000 and want to change shocks and thought about the Autocross shocks. I only drive my Vette on "good" weekends and to car shows so ride quality is not an issue, I like the firm performance ride feeling. Thanks for any input!

Thunder8

I can 2nd this! The Bilsteins are absolutely great and I have the z51 suspension too. Shocks, leaking or not, are pretty well done at about 50K.