kowalski340

I am looking for shocks for my 89 track car project. the car is a Z51 and when finished will weigh between 2800-2900lbs. What shocks and specific valving would everyone suggest? Also I am not looking to spend more than 80 dollars per shock.

BrianCunningham

You could get Bilstiens or Konis for that.

Your going to need something valved for you new car weight.

Shocks is where you want to spend the $$$ on a track car.

kowalski340

Now I'm starting to think I should save more and go coil over what does everyone think is it worth it?

ghoffman

No question coilovers work better, especially on the C4. I was the biggest critic and used to say that a spring is a spring, but the fact is coilovers do work better. In addition it gives you front ride height adjustability which is something you don't have now.

rfn026

You want some really high rebound numbers for the track. The best solution is to talk to Bilstein about rebuilding your current shocks. If you don't have Bilsteins you might find some old used ones that they can rebuild for you.

Be careful of what you ask for though. The shocks they did for me are tremendous at the track, and brutal on the street.

Richard Newton

101 Projects for Your Corvette 1984-1996

Autocross Performance Handbook

ghoffman

Do you have dyno plots for them? I find that to be typical for that brand, harsh with no data. You get from them, "I revalved them for you" and you say "OK, from what to what", and the answer is: that is proprietary. I see no reason for that, if you are in the shock biz, even as a reseller, you have to be able to provide the data. We dyno every shock we sell, and if you don't, you have no idea of what you are selling.

Bill Hetzel

I agree with Gary. I've seen some real crap from Bilsten. Shock sets that were supposed to be matched and weren't even close.

kowalski340

Gary,

I have seen some of your other posts regarding coilovers and they appear to be great! What kind of price am I looking at to do coilovers on my 89? What kind of mods to the rear lower mounting stud and the front upper tower? How do coilovers affect the suspension geometry, especially in the rear when you move the spring pressure point from the lower knuckle close to the wheel bearing outboard to the shock stud?

0Randy@DRM

I get asked once a year maybe what the number is on our "named" valving.

With your budget, I don't think your going to find a better shock then a Z51 bilstein. Then at a later time you can revalve, build into a coilover, or what ever you need to do.

Randy

USAsOnlyWay

What about the "morocco" valved Bilsteins. They are what Pattie @ VBP said they use as their "xtreme" shocks and they cost the same. Didn't someone on here do the development on them? Danny Popp maybe?

Sidney004

I have an excel file with the Bilstein "numbers" I can't seem to post it here but if anyone wants it PM me with your Email and I will send it to you.

Zpeedstr

Koni
VBP extreme springs

forget Bilstein

Solo2GS

Not to hijack the thread, but speaking of Koni as you just did... I have Koni Sports on my C5. Are they rebuildable or can they be revalved? Anyone do anything like that with them. I know I need much better shock for AX then these, but you have to do with what you have sometimes and the money you can spend!

brenb

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Koni's. In fact, they are pretty much the standard for autox use.

They can be rebuilt by Koni, just don't be in a hurry.

BrianCunningham

I'll be putting Gary's Penke coilovers on my '95, the setup should be similar. Penskes have a narrower body, so you shouldn't have to mod the towers. His custom mounts go into the stock holes. Suspension geometry is only effected if you change ride hieght. Same as lowering the stock suspension. He's going to calibrate the spring rates to go with the new spring locations.

Ah, I see you've seen my thread on it.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...1833622&page=8

0C5stein

Hardbar's new C4 rear lower shock mount design is brilliant. The cool part that no one has mentioned is that with the Hardbar mounts, you can start off with an "El Cheapo" performance or race shock so long as it has a bearing or bushing eyelet and as your budget allows, you can move up to an adjustable, from a multitude of manufacturers (ie. QA1, Penske, Koni, Bilstein), without paying the Corvette Tax for a Corvette specific shock.

We will be offering the complete Hardbar line of shocks and shock mounts in addition to our QA1 and Eibach product line.

gkmccready

Performance Shock Inc at Infineon is a KONI authorized rebuild center. Tell Bruce I sent you.

ghoffman

Thanks Mark, here are some pics of the first prototype C4 lower rear mount. The production versions will be anodized and the shock mount area (with the shoulder bolt) enlarged for the Bilstiens, QA-1 etc.

BrianCunningham

I'm looking forward to seeing Gary's new mounts later this week