MTPZ06

I have an 03 C5Z with 21K miles, and I hate the way the the back end can skip out on roads with bumps/ruts under some spirited driving. I'm looking to replace the shocks with a new set from GM...but which set?

I've heard great things about both the 04's and the 08's; but there's about a $200 difference between the two sets...making the 04's almost twice the price?! Are the 04's really that much better than the 08's?? I'm not crazy about the idea of installing 08 shocks that weren't tuned/intended for the C5...but I've read a lot of good feedback about doing this very same thing.

My car is 100% street driven, but I do drive my cars hard from time to time. Is there really that much of a difference; and will I even notice that difference between the 04's and the 08's? Has anybody ran both sets as a comparison?

Any feedback is welcome. Thanks!

Bill Curlee

I have an 02 ZO6. and I had the same concers with the way the car handled. The C6ZO6 shocks eliminated almost all of that issue and the ride is almost C5 ZO6 stock feel!!

Get the C6 ZO6 shocks and spend the saved cash on other C5 go fast stuff!!

Big_George_S

It may not be your shocks, it may be your tires. Different tires track and pull. Find a local tire shop that will provide you options on softer tires with more stick. Warning however know that the tires will not last as long. Good grip means less miles.

MagRedConv

I bought my '08 C6 Z shocks last year here on the forum for $175 shipped; 500 mile take offs.

ALVETTE00

I opted for the 04's. I know GM engineers spent time tuning them on the Nurburgring in Germany. The C6Z's are no doubt a good shock, but most likely tuned for the characteristics of the C6Z.

Just my 02

Btw. the 04' shocks and the C6Z51 sways are an amazing combo. Luv driving the car even more now!

lionelhutz

Someone from Pfadt posted damping curves of the C5Z and C6Z shocks. They were very similar and I wouldn't worry about one vs the other being better.

Hey, the C6Z51 bars weren't "tuned" for the C5 either and they work very well.

Peter

ALVETTE00

Yup, that's true, but they're comparable to the C5Z

Generally, when given the option to get sumthin specifically tuned vs not...I'll go with the former tho!

Alex1217

I've had both and to be honest, I think the C6 Z06 shocks are a much better shock and I'll explain why. I had the 04 C5 Z06 shocks for about two years. I had my vette lowered on stock bolts and the ride although very sharp and crisp, was also very bouncy. Over rough roads, they were a bit of a pain as well (living in the NYC suburbs, that can be a problem). I now have a set of 08 C5 Z06 shocks and am extremely happy with them. The steering still feels sharp, I can take corners just as well as with the C5 Z06 shocks but I feel they absorb bumps much better.

ZO6ED

Where is the best place to get these C6Z Shocks

kg54trains

Gene at Gmpartshouse.com See the thread posted

huttler

This sucks, I bought the '04 Z06 shocks in 2005. Ever since the C6 Z06 shocks came out I've read countless posts about how much better they are.. **** my life

ALVETTE00

Don't believe everything you read on the forum. A lot of the posts are based in opinion vs emperical data.

Mankra

Aren´t the C6Z06 Shocks longer than the C5Z06 shocks?

mountainbiker2

I had 06 Z06 shocks and they were the same length as 04's in the front. The rear 06 Z06 shocks are shorter by 1/4". I used the stock rubber bushings that came with the car. The 06 Z06 shocks have bushings that are thicker. If you use them, they will eat up some of your travel.

Steve

Bill Curlee

If you based C5 Corvette owners driving/handling skills on a scale of 1-10 ( one being BAD & 10 being GREAT) most of us would probably be graded around 6-7.

For the majority of us, the handling difference between the more expensive C5 04 ZO6 shocks or very expensive aftermarket shocks and the C6 ZO6 shocks, installing the more expensive shocks wont make a significant difference in the way we drive or control the car.

The C6 ZO6 shocks for me made a very noticeable improvement and make the car more stable and easier to drive hard for $250.

All I know is, the C6 ZO6 shocks firmed up my car and eliminated the the tendency of the car to side step on rough roads during hard cornering. I take corners a little harder now and I'm a lot more confident that the car will stay on the road.

Someone who drives cars professionally may be able to fully utilize all the handling characteristics of a particular shock and be able to tell the difference between the two. For a majority of us, we cant. We just want something that works better than what we have now for a reasonable price. C5 ZO6 shocks fit that niche extremely well.

I'm not a professional driver and never will claim to be. Never tried the C5 04 ZO6 shocks so, take that for what its worth.

Bill C

MTPZ06

Bill, did you swap out the bushings like the poster above, or did you install just as they came right out of the box?

GettnBetter

I curious about the 08Z06 shocks too. I've been running Bilstein sports and love them but they only last about 10k miles for me. They start to get really bouncy and rough, not like the incredibly stable ride they gave new.

Would the 08Z06's maintain their feel longer than the Bilsteins?

SJPD

And are either of these better than bilstein sports ?

HRTBRCR

I just pulled the stock 01 z06 shocks off my car and installed a set of
c6 z06 06 shocks....and the ride is so crisp and firm compared to the 01's, there really is no comparison...I notice the car sits a little higher, but I am gonna adjust my bolts a bit when I get a chance....but what an unbelieveable difference....it has changed the entire personality of the car's handling characteristics...just my two cents...I friend of mine had the 06 z06 shocks on his 02 z06, then decided swapped for the 04 z06, and mentioned that he preferred the 06 z06 shocks...

MTPZ06

Thanks everyone. I'm leaning towards the 08 C6Z shocks, and just lowering the car all the way down on the stock bolts to counteract the possible increase in ride height.