Nitron Shock Absorbers for C6 Z06
Discussion
Love the 7.0 Litre 505 BHP Z06 to bits !
The only part of the package I have me doots aboot is the low speed ride quality (as pointed out by Jeremy C on Top Gear when he compared the Z06 with the 550 Maranello. He said he could not understand the £100K price difference - until he discovered you can't drive the Z on British roads. Typical Jeremy exaggeration, but he wasn't all wrong).
However, once the car is up and going, the ride quality and and the control are stunningly good, so its not really an issue on a decent road. I reckon the Z06 rides and handles pretty sovereign almost everywhere - except on the UK's increasingly under-maintained B and C roads. Anyway you have to remember that everything is a compromise. Its a fact that the Z06 is capable of close on 200 mph, so I guess Corvette have to make the suspension work safely throughout the entire speed range.
But I thought I would have a go at the low speed ride. So Nitron have had my standard shocks, rated them and have now designed the replacements ready to be manufactured. These are "Road Shocks" with a single top adjustment which controls bump and rebound. You will not have to "get out and get under" to change the settings. The knurled knobs will be accessible once the bonnet and the rear hatch lid are open.
This initial package of 4 shocks is being designed as a straight replacement fot the OE shock absorbers - with the intention that they will work in conjunction with the transverse leaf springs. (These are actually very carefully developed carbon fibre components which probably weigh a lot less than coil springs. And, by the way, what is so rocket science about a rod of steel formed into a coil !).
It occurred to Peter at Nitron and to me that there may be other C6 Z06 owners who might like a set of these Nitrons as well. If that is of interest, would you like to send me an e-mail ?
By the way, another thing I like about the 7.0 Litre 505 BHP Z06 is its fuel consumption ! No, really ! En route from Gerrards Cross, around the M25 and up the M1 to Leicester this morning - with cotton wool under my toes - I watched the Average Fuel consumption climb gently all the way to 29.1 (US) Miles Per Gallon !! Coming back (and with the cotton wool removed) it has only dropped back to 22.6 (US) mpg ! And 97 Octane is cheaper than diesel !
What an amazinglty versatile Beast ! Somebody sent me a text yesrterday saying he had read the EVO acceleration comparison between the Nissan GtR and the Z06, and it was time I ordered a Nissan. I don't think so. I bet the GtR costs more than £250 per annum to service, which was what my bill for the Z06 was last year. Thank you Stratstone of Reading !
Anyway, the Beast is a Beauty, which is more than you can say for the GtR !!
The only part of the package I have me doots aboot is the low speed ride quality (as pointed out by Jeremy C on Top Gear when he compared the Z06 with the 550 Maranello. He said he could not understand the £100K price difference - until he discovered you can't drive the Z on British roads. Typical Jeremy exaggeration, but he wasn't all wrong).
However, once the car is up and going, the ride quality and and the control are stunningly good, so its not really an issue on a decent road. I reckon the Z06 rides and handles pretty sovereign almost everywhere - except on the UK's increasingly under-maintained B and C roads. Anyway you have to remember that everything is a compromise. Its a fact that the Z06 is capable of close on 200 mph, so I guess Corvette have to make the suspension work safely throughout the entire speed range.
But I thought I would have a go at the low speed ride. So Nitron have had my standard shocks, rated them and have now designed the replacements ready to be manufactured. These are "Road Shocks" with a single top adjustment which controls bump and rebound. You will not have to "get out and get under" to change the settings. The knurled knobs will be accessible once the bonnet and the rear hatch lid are open.
This initial package of 4 shocks is being designed as a straight replacement fot the OE shock absorbers - with the intention that they will work in conjunction with the transverse leaf springs. (These are actually very carefully developed carbon fibre components which probably weigh a lot less than coil springs. And, by the way, what is so rocket science about a rod of steel formed into a coil !).
It occurred to Peter at Nitron and to me that there may be other C6 Z06 owners who might like a set of these Nitrons as well. If that is of interest, would you like to send me an e-mail ?
By the way, another thing I like about the 7.0 Litre 505 BHP Z06 is its fuel consumption ! No, really ! En route from Gerrards Cross, around the M25 and up the M1 to Leicester this morning - with cotton wool under my toes - I watched the Average Fuel consumption climb gently all the way to 29.1 (US) Miles Per Gallon !! Coming back (and with the cotton wool removed) it has only dropped back to 22.6 (US) mpg ! And 97 Octane is cheaper than diesel !
What an amazinglty versatile Beast ! Somebody sent me a text yesrterday saying he had read the EVO acceleration comparison between the Nissan GtR and the Z06, and it was time I ordered a Nissan. I don't think so. I bet the GtR costs more than £250 per annum to service, which was what my bill for the Z06 was last year. Thank you Stratstone of Reading !
Anyway, the Beast is a Beauty, which is more than you can say for the GtR !!
BLUETHUNDER said:
I think all Vettes suffer from a harsh ride at low speeds.Mine does.And so does my brothers earlier C4 LT1
Not just Vettes; my 355 was definitely harsher than my C6. Can't have yer cake and eat it!UK roads are shocking though; esp. with all the roadworks round my way, grr.
Cheers,
Ian.
ian_uk1975 said:
BLUETHUNDER said:
I think all Vettes suffer from a harsh ride at low speeds.Mine does.And so does my brothers earlier C4 LT1
Not just Vettes; my 355 was definitely harsher than my C6. Can't have yer cake and eat it!UK roads are shocking though; esp. with all the roadworks round my way, grr.
Cheers,
Ian.
BLUETHUNDER said:
ian_uk1975 said:
BLUETHUNDER said:
I think all Vettes suffer from a harsh ride at low speeds.Mine does.And so does my brothers earlier C4 LT1
Not just Vettes; my 355 was definitely harsher than my C6. Can't have yer cake and eat it!UK roads are shocking though; esp. with all the roadworks round my way, grr.
Cheers,
Ian.
To be fair a lot of the damage is caused by the weather.......similar problems in Sweden of extreme cold damaging the road surface.
Edited by vetteheadracer on Thursday 3rd April 09:23
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