Time for my suspension upgrades. I went with the Bilstein adjustable shocks and LG spec coilover kit. I am also replacing the front & rear swaybars with Hotchkis bars which are rated in stiffness between the stock Z06 bars and the T1 racebars.....should be the perfect road racing set-up with awesome handling and high speed stability.
Big thanks to the Bobbi & the West Coast Corvette team for the excellent updates, pricing, and feedback throughout my purchase. Definitely the way I want my business handled! Check out the pics!
1. The Hotchkis bar is NOT in between the Z06 and T1 bars (implying that it splits the difference evenly). It is however just a touch stiffer than the Z06. It was originally developed to split the difference between the Z51 and the T1 bar.
That being said it may be the correct bar in this application if the final spring rate is marginally greater than the Z06 OEM spring. LG Makes a fine set up.
2. Are the Bilsteins adjustable in compression or rebound and do they have remote reservoirs??
BTW to upgrade my DA Penske's (which I paid $2850 for) it would cost $1500 to upgrade to coil overs and $500 to upgrade to TA's...that's just under $5000.
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DJ: I never mentioned it was an even split between the Z06 and T1 bars.....However, thanks for the clarification. The adjustability is for rebound and compression, and there is no remote reservoir.
Bill: I wonder the same thing.......car keeps getting more and more goodies every chance I get.
Where are the adjusters for rebound and compression??
I just checked what I thought was the adjustable dial and found it to be a schrader valve....which brings up the question....what the heck is that for?
Amost all monotube racing shocks have a schrader valve. That is how they get the Nitrogen gas inside. There is some adjustment there as you can fill to different pressures.
What I am asking is: can you pull into the pits and make a quick Compression and Rebound change on each shock??
Amost all monotube racing shocks have a schrader valve. That is how they get the Nitrogen gas inside. There is some adjustment there as you can fill to different pressures.
What I am asking is: can you pull into the pits and make a quick Compression and Rebound change on each shock??
Gotcha, thanks for the info on the schrader valve....and no, I don't think I can make quick adjustments upon inspection of the shock. I told LGM and WCC what I wanted to address performance and handling wise and this is what they came up with. Unlike when I built up my SS, I do not have a good idea of how monospring rates convert into coil rates, so I just let LGM do the homework. I was told they were adjustable, but maybe they just meant height wise.
Road race? Where? I wouldve stayed with the stock set up, it was good to begin with for the track much less the street.....I went with OEM 04 Z shocks for $400.
DJ: How would one go about making adjustments to the nitrogen content of the shock to affect performance? Is there a certain guideline to pressures? Is this a commonly practiced method?
Not trying to hijack this thread but can someone explain the reason of going from leafs to coils?
Im no expert but I do know that leaf springs in general are faster than coils
I was just confused by your initial statement as saying they were adjustable and then looking at the pictures and the comparison with the more expensive Penske's
The Bilstein's are a good shock. They are grossly adjustable by being able to adjust the internal air pressure, dissasembling them and revalving them for compression and rebound, changing springs (rates) and changing spring height by adjusting the spring collars with spaner wrenches.
The actual recommended starting pressure and range of nitrogen gas pressure adjustment would be availble from the manufacturer. I am not familiar with them off the cuff.
All monotube racing shocks in coil over set-ups possess those basic gross adjustabilities. The gross adjustments are initially done on a static set-up platform while measuring corner weights. I am sure the shocks are matched and tuned with LG's extensive experience and I have no doubt that you have a great initial set-up.
When you said they were adjustable I thought you meant that they had external adjusters for Rebound and Compression or "Bump". After looking at the shocks (pictures) I can see that they do not and are actually Non-Adjustable Monotube Racing Shocks. What is commonly refered to as "adjustable" usually refers to the ability to have an external adjustment (knob(s)) to select from a range of Rebound and Compression settings (Double adjustable) and sometimes either high speed and low speed settings as well (Triple and Quad Adjustable)
The Penske's you refered to in the initial comparison have the ability to choose 6 different Bump settings and 24 Rebound settings and have an external reservoir for larger oil capacity and better cooling as well. This allows you to make minor fine tuning changes at the track. It also allows a dual purpose car to select settings specifically for AutoX (soft), street, interstate, wet track, dry track, and the ability to adjust traction and weight transfer. That's why the Penske's cost more.
DJ, what Penske's did I refer to in my initial post. I only mentioned they (the Bilsteins I got) were adjustable. Which is essence is correct. They are not adjustable like the shocks you mention, and now I understand. No where in my post did I mention anything about Penske's....
First you question my statement about the Hotchkis bars and put words into my mouth about them being an equal split between the stock Z06 and the T1, which I never mentioned. Then you set me up for the adjustability issue, which judging by your analysis, you had the answers to already. I am no pro, don't claim to be one. So you trying to bust my balls or what?
Now when you say I wasn't comparing apples to apples in my original post, what are you talking about? I merely posted pics of my new suspension pieces that I was excited to get....I made no comparisons. Only person making comparisons here is you. I appreciate the input you have provided, but I question if your intent on this thread was merely an attempt to discredit me or something. What's the deal?
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