What are the differences between the Bilsteins designed for the Z51 suspension and Bilsteins designed for the base suspension? It's time to replace mine and I'm unsure if it's basically a difference in stiffness or are they different in other ways such as length, travel, etc. I have the base suspension with Bilsteins (not sure which ones) now and want to firm it up a bit. Handling is my main concern not ride quality. The car is used for very spirited street driving and probably never see a road course due it being an AT equipped car. Basically, I'm asking if I can run the Z51 shocks on a base car.

Things are starting to come together, new master cylinder is in, new stereo head unit is on the way, new speakers are ready to go in, all sorts of other stuff in route on a UPS truck somewhere too. Taking advantage of CC's window of free shipping. Fun times ahead!

I have been told that they are only different in the valving. But I would suggest going to their website and contacting them to be sure.

The difference is in the orifice size in the valving and/or the amount and thickness of the shim stack.

Bilstein just lists the shocks as B6 (heavy duty) and B8 (Sport). No mention of Z51.
http://www.bilsteinus.com/cart/ymm.ph ... LET&model=CORVETTE&zenid=

They may help somewhat compared to the "base" shocks, swaybars would be another good upgrade.
You won't be able to do a comparison because you taking older shocks off.
I wouldn't have a problem putting them on my 92 (base).

BTW, the AT shouldn't be holding you back from tracking the car. I've instructed in 25+ AT Corvettes on the track with zero problems.

Thanks Bill, that's what I thought, just wanted to make sure before I dropped $300 on a set that wasn't compatible.

The listing I have from Bilstein actually breaks out Z51, ZR1, Exc. Z51, coupe, and convertible etc.

I have installed larger swaybars and almost every car I have owned, yes, I will be upgrading these as well. Do you have any recommendations? I'm not finding many options out there. Most of my catalogs list them as "discontinued." I really miss not having Quickor in right down the street anymore.

AT's on the track huh? Dang it.... now I'll have to add paddle shifters.

Quote:

I don't have any recommendations even though I wouldn't mind doing my 92 (I really don't like the base suspension).
You may want to PM Jon (SpectatorRacing), he posts in autocross/racing.

ATs on the track - I tell most guys I'm riding with to leave the shifter alone until they get a bunch of experience and a lot of laps on one particular track.
There's no real reason to downshift before a corner and the only time that the AT downshifting causes any annoyance is when you're coming out of a slow corner and it downshifts when you hammer it (usually happens when the driver is going too slow in the corner).
Most newer drivers are too concerned with gears (AT or manual) anyway. Even in a 6 speed, it's very rare to use 2ond gear at all.

I've been thinking of going to the sport valve as well. Koni sports are another option. If you want to track the car just get out there and do it. If you want to go often start thinking about cooling, the auto will need a large cooler. I started out adding a shift kit to my auto. So it would hold the selected gear. At Road America I can if I choose to, do the whole track in third.

I built a push button shifter for fun, here's a video testing it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqwoCvpTHXQ

Thanks for the vid.... I enjoyed it.

Quote:

Welcome! There are more on Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/user757222/videos

Track events are a lot of fun. Maybe you can make it out to one. It's fun just to visit too. The events around here are free to spectate. Check out what people have done with the cars and visit.

Thank you Rich, I will have to order a set soon.

no worries. I met them at the Ultimate Vette Party a couple years ago. REALLY nice people. Once I get the clutch done I'm starting on suspension, I plan on going down to their place and visiting in person. They're only about 45 mins from me.