Barbara_S

Eckler's has the regular and Z51 shocks, but they also list an autocross specific shock that I don't see listed anywhere else.

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...&dept%5Fid=239

I bought sport springs from VBandP -and I'm still looking into shock options for a ZR1. I could rebuild the FX3's or wait on that and toss in this shock for now.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried this one out.
Thanks.

c4cruiser

You can have the FX3 shocks rebuilt for autocross use by Bilstein. They have a "Morocca" (?) valving that was developed by a Forum member in conjunction with Bilstein and this valving is supposed to work great.

Doug Rippie Motorsports used to make an FX3 controller with a replacable prom. You could get a varoety of chips that further changed the shock settings. I'm not sure if they still have them but it would be worth a call to them to find out. Also try Lingenfelter to see if they have something similar.

If you go with rebuilding the FX3 shocks, you could always install a set of KYB Gas-A-Just shocks in the interm. Summit Racing has them for about $32 eack

As far as the Eckler's shock, I cant imagine that Ecklers woud carry a unique Bilstein shock where other accessory catalogs would not. There is an intersting note that says 88 cars have to be lowered an inch to use them on that model. I bet that if you could get the Bilstein part number, it would be a Z51 shock.

For Bilsteins, try Dan at Van Steel. They are a Forum vendor and great to deal with.

If you don't want to spend the money on re-valving the FX3 shocks, look at Koni's, QA-1's or for a bunch of money, the Penkse shocks.

Barbara_S

Thanks, I'll try Dan - most of it isn't so much the money.....OK maybe it is.... but it also seems easier to drop in a shock that works with my spring rate and be all done with the suspension.

BrianCunningham

Talk with VBandP so you can have them valved to match.

Zpeedstr

I tried 3 different Bilstein valvings and they just had too much bounce. I attribute this to the gas charge.

Switched to Koni's and solved the problem. Now flat through 8 at Willow.

CF6873

I know a guy who put the Bilstein Autocross shocks on his 85 which was a dedicated AutoX car and they made quite a difference in his times. But he said they were that stiff that he could not imagine them on the highway.

Also I have some slightly used Z51 shocks for sale. These do ride firm but not harsh.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1622943

Dolfan

I went with the HAL/QA1 adjustables instead of having mine rebuilt. The ability to adjust when I got to an event then move the ride back to something normal was great. It made a big difference in the performance and the cost wasn't too bad, if I remember maybe $550-$600 for the set.

ZR1 MK

What 3 types of valve settings did you try?
Morocca rear rebound valving is a bit weak. A bit compression stiff to rebound rate on all four, but it also depends on springs rates, bars, track etc.

steve40th

Sorry to high jack, but what settings did yourun your HAL/QA1 at the track?

Aardwolf

If you do get Bilstein, I found that the rubber mounts that come with them are super soft. I have been looking for poly mounts to replace them, but haven't had any luck.

96GS#007

I'd go the Koni adjustable or HAL/QA1 route so that you can fine tune for different courses. Worth the added up-front expense IMO.

Umrswimr

I would completely disagree. I had ansolutely TERRIBLE experiences with my QA1's on my C5. All four needed revalving twice within a year. The lower mount was a "one size fits all" type that allowed the shock to rattle. Total, total crap.

96GS#007

I have Koni's. Lots of people like the QA1 but I have no experience with them. None the less they are an option.

The real point of my post is that being able to fine tune the shock for a given course is desirable vs trying a one size fits all valving scheme.

Canam

I have revalved bilsteins from Vette brakes that would be much like the ones you are considering. They are awesome on a road course and came with poly bushings.
Bear in mind they are absolutely punishing on the street.

Barbara_S

I ended up running out of time on revalving FX3's at Bilstein or picking something else, so I took a chance on VBP digressive valved extreme shocks which shoudl be OK with the extreme springs I bought from them.

thanks though-good info here for the future.