Vette riding rough

[6speedvette]

hey guys.. have a 98 vette that seems to be riding very hard lately. Now i dont know if its always been like this or if its getting worse over time.(only really driven during summers).. 68k miles, car is at factory ride height.regular base suspension without the handling selector switch. tires are non-runflats and usually kept betwen 32-35psi. possibly original shocks(not sure)...i uderstand it is a sports car and i'm not expecting a caddy, but its to the point where my skull rattles when i hit some of the rougher bumps on the roads lol..any suggestions? could the springs be worn? any specific brand shock that can soften the ride a touch?
thanks
Jamie

 

[Toms007]

Could be shocks are bad. Or maybe if the shocks have been replaced with Z51 or Z06 shocks, much more rough riding but better control. I changed out the original shocks for a set of Z06 and the ride got worse. My guess s that the shocks probably are getting bad. If you like that 'softer' ride don't go with Z06 versions.

 

[6speedvette]

Tom, is there a particular brand of shocks to look for? I believe i've read somewhere of people using c6 shocks on thier c5. would there be any benefit to that? thanks

 

[Toms007]

Yea the C6 shocks are the same as C5 (fitment wise). I think if I were to do it all over I'd look at the Bilstein Sport shocks. They are the ones that are similar to the OE base,if my memory serves me correctly.

 

[gmjunkie]

Just turned 80,000

On my 03 Z-51,It still has the OEM Bilstens on it!~!!
Still rides and handles well,I'm going to replace them with the same bilstens along with new stabilizer links my first scheduled tune up at 100,000 miles!~!!

 

[Toms007]

There you go, Junkie is way more experienced than I, in these issues.

 

[6speedvette]

ok cool...do you have to get Bilstens from a chevy dealer or do other autoparts stores have them?

 

[gmjunkie]

ok cool...do you have to get Bilstens from a chevy dealer or do other autoparts stores have them?

You can find them at other parts stores,Last set I put on the customer brought in I think he said they were around $80.00 Ea and came from tire rack!~!!

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Your tire pressure strikes me as being on the high side, which could definitely make for a harsher ride. Might as well try the easy (and free!) stuff first. :L

 

[Hib Halverson]

On my 03 Z-51,It still has the OEM Bilstens on it!~!!

Neither "Bilsten" or Bilstein has ever been the OE supplier of dampers for C5 or C6.

 

[6speedvette]

i didnt realize Bilstens arent standard out of factory..I'm asuming Bilstens are a step up?

Mr. Lucky; i agree.. i would hate to throw a bunch of money into it only to find it rides just the same lol. how much psi are you guys keeping in your tires?? from what i remember, tire pressure warning shows on the dash when your psi is in the mid 20's and below

 

[BigJimZ16]

i didnt realize Bilstens arent standard out of factory..I'm asuming Bilstens are a step up?

Mr. Lucky; i agree.. i would hate to throw a bunch of money into it only to find it rides just the same lol. how much psi are you guys keeping in your tires?? from what i remember, tire pressure warning shows on the dash when your psi is in the mid 20's and below

The factory sticker calls for 30psi all the way around on my C5s. My vert was a Z51 and after changing to non-runflat PS2s the ride was MUCH better.