javaman

Hey Guys - I have a question regarding shocks and as always, would appreciate your colective input! Thinking about replacing the shocks on my 69 small block and am wondering if there is any advantage to using a Bilstein or Koni as opposed to OEM. Thanks again for making the time to answer.

Nowhere Man

how do drive your car. is it street or track. for street use you can not go wrong with OEM replacements. they will give you the best bang for the buck. if you track your car then the others will be for you

CQRT

Depends if you plan on autocross and performance events - - I just put Monroes on-- pretty much the same as OEM and am very satisfied . . something like $79 apiece with a $50 rebate at NAPA.

7T1vette

If you are just a weekend casual driver, stock shocks...or anything better...will get the job done for a while. Hydraulic (only) shocks have about a 5 year lifespan; with less use, maybe longer.

Gas shocks are significantly better, in terms of ride, handling capability, and life. But, they are more expensive. On average, this Forum seems pretty solid that Bilstein 'heavy duty' shocks are the better choice. But, depending on specific needs, one shock might be better for an individual/car than another.

Choice is up to you, and for the casual driver, $$$ may make the decision. BTW, GM owns the Delco name, but GM doesn't make shocks anymore...they buy them from another supplier. I think your choice is between Monroe hydraulics (inexpensive), Monroe gas shocks (decent at reasonable price), or Bilsteins (more expensive, but better quality and performance).

Ironcross

go to your local parts house and get a set of Monroes.........you cant beat the quality and they will carry a warranty good through out the country....these so called adjustable shocks are nothing more than hype and besides how do you adjust them and to what....I always thought it was a joke to get under a car and adjust shocks...another point is at least half of the shocks sold are replacing good ones.......

Steve's '73

I just recently replaced my Monroe Sensa-trac shocks with Bilstein Sport shocks and there is no comparison in the ride quality. I had to replace the Monroes 4 times in 11 years, free because of the warranty, but still a pain. The quality of the Monroes is so bad that the manager of O'Reilly gave me a full refund after 11 years and 4 exchanges, which I used to buy the Bilsteins. If I had to do all over again I would have never bought the Monroes. If you can afford it, get the Bilstein Shocks. I bought the set from Ecklers for $254 (15% sale), just wait till they have a sale.

zwede

Same here. Tried many shocks over the years and the Bilsteins have by far the best ride and handling.

Mod75

Shocks! good idea, mine are 32 years old. Have adjustable ones set on street/strip now.

Will start looking around, nothing over the top, its a driver.

mad pad house

Had the KYB shocks on my 77 for 6yrs never a problem.Went to Bilsteins for my 69 and find they are a much better product ,but I do tend to drive the 69 a little harder then I ever drove the 77.

ptroxx

How do you think they would be on your 77 you think you would notice a big difference.. ? ?

I have ktb's on my 77 and keep saying im going to get some bilsteins ..

TWINRAY

If I had to do a replacement, I'd probably get Bilsteins. I have KYB's on now and they seem OK.

LancePearson

I have two vehicles with vette engines...76 small block that last year I put KYB gas shocks on and am very happy with. Ride is slightly firmer than stock but not road racing or autocross firm. My other is a TBSS set up by GM's Performance group with a 2008 LS2 engine, heavy sway bars, 25% stronger springs and Billsteins stock to go with the 4:10 factory rear end...set up for road work and it is substantially faster than the 76. The ride on the two at 35 mph is not even close to the same. Little old ladies would hate the TBSS as it is stiff and bumps bang around a little. The 76 is stiff enough but closer to a regular car ride. Now, take either into a corner at 75 mph and the TBSS is amazing. The Vette because it's low and so on also is about 5% better still but push the one with the road racing suspension and there's no comparison which to put on..the Billsteins, hands down unless you are dragging little old ladies around.

so, adios little old ladies for me. When or if I replace the kyb's on the 76 I will convert to Billsteins and might in a couple years do it just for fun. Will run the 76 on the Tail of the Dragon and Cherahola Parkway right after Labor Day as is.

Lance P.

1974ta

Monroe Sensa-trak made in the US.

Bill

Steve's '73

Little known fact, Bilstiens supplied to North America are also made in the U.S.; 8685 Berk Boulevard Hamilton, OH 45015-2205 to be exact.

Speaker Boehner visted the plant last Monday http://www.fox19.com/story/16683130/...bs-in-hamilton

80Baby

I disabled the Air Ride System on my wife's Ford Exploder and replaced all four shocks with Monroe Sensa-Tracs. The ride improvement was incredible.

However I take heart in the comments comparing Monroes to Bilsteins. I put Bilsteins in my Vette when I rebuilt the front and rear suspensions. The car is two years away from seeing the road so I look forward to a great riding car.

HeavyMetalHawk

I read a lot in the forum and most of the choices are bilstein... they give you a good ride and handling but for not a smooth ride, you will feel more every bump hole for what I read. I replace in my 4runner the shocks with bilstein and the ride in highway its way better. That's the reason I order for my Vette a set of bilstein heavy duty and sport but not got yet

69 Chevy

Koni doesn't seem to get its just desserts on this forum except by me.

TheSkunkWorks

While IMHO installing a set of Bilsteins is among of the best mods most owners will ever make, when you get serious about shocks KONI must be part of the conversation.

TSW

TWINRAY

I have Koni's on my Alfa

Shark Racer

My dog's name is Koni and all of my vehicles are running Bilstein shocks.