bilstein shock users please comment
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
bilstein shock users please comment
OK, I've decided on Bilstein shocks. But since they are expensive, I don't want to make a mistake and get the wrong ones. Will the sports be too firm? Should I get Heavy Duty? I am not into racing. Opinions appreciated!!
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
My Bilstein Heavy-Duty shocks were just delivered on my doorstep this afternoon. I won't be able to comment [with any personal experience] until this weekend; but I understand that the HD's are preferable to the Sports, unless you will be doing some road racing/slalom racing with your car.
P.S. TireRack.com has the lowest price I could find for BHD's.... $86 each.
P.S. TireRack.com has the lowest price I could find for BHD's.... $86 each.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,487
Likes: 2,376
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
2025 C8 Z06/7/E-Ray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I installed the sports on my 82 that I had. Not a harsh ride.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 713
From: Lafayette Louisiana
I put Bilstein HD's on the 76 and ride is great, smoother the wife says than the 93 Ruby Red we had which had factory Bilsteins too, go figure. 76 still has the original steel rear spring and front coils too. 76 is a cruiser for us and Louisiana is not known for having great roads, LOL's. I consistently see a lot of good feedback from others too on Bilsteins even though I agree they are pretty pricey.
Last edited by 20mercury; Aug 23, 2012 at 12:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
I have the sport ones on a stock 76 and it is not that hard... I don't have much to compare it to, my previous ones where old monroes that bounced all over the place and made me feel like i was driving a boat!
If you have half decent roads where you live it should be fine.
Potholes can be a problem but imo the way the car handles in corners is worth it.
If you have half decent roads where you live it should be fine.
Potholes can be a problem but imo the way the car handles in corners is worth it.
Last edited by Carlos840; Aug 23, 2012 at 10:50 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 284
Likes: 7
From: Springfield New Jersey
I believe my VB&P grand touring kit came with the Bilstein sport shocks. I drive mostly around town, and through some local windy roads. I love the ride ... shocks are firm, not too bouncy. I don't do much highway driving, but have taken a few trips and the car rode nicely at 70mph for extended periods of time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
OK. I installed my Bilstein HD's today. The shocks I removed had no tag nor any stamping of brand on them. But, they were gas shocks; I suspect AC Delco's, Monroe, or Gabriel shocks (painted black).
After installing and taking first drive, I headed down our street which has a repaired section of pavement in it. Normally, there would be some rolling and bouncing. As I went over that pavement, I heard a muffled "thump, thump"...but felt absolutely NOTHING!
WOW! What a difference!
I have noticed that the rear of the car is raised about 1/2" higher than it was. I had been 'on the fence' about getting longer bolts to lower the rear anyway; now, there is no question about getting that done. But, I am ecstatic about the performance of the Bilstein HD's, compared to the 'general purpose' gas shocks that were on it.
After installing and taking first drive, I headed down our street which has a repaired section of pavement in it. Normally, there would be some rolling and bouncing. As I went over that pavement, I heard a muffled "thump, thump"...but felt absolutely NOTHING!
WOW! What a difference!I have noticed that the rear of the car is raised about 1/2" higher than it was. I had been 'on the fence' about getting longer bolts to lower the rear anyway; now, there is no question about getting that done. But, I am ecstatic about the performance of the Bilstein HD's, compared to the 'general purpose' gas shocks that were on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 102
From: Piedmont Va
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13,'19-'20
HD with 9 leaf, Sports with 7 leaf or monospring! I have VBP 330# mono with sports. Not hard at all. The car rides and drives beautifully...but one must remember its a Corvette not a Caddy! 
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
sports with fiberglass is a must... I have the sports... but im not a cruiser ether...still dont think the ride is that bad... when the ride got hard was when i put in that big a$$ sway bar up front and added a god size sway bar to the rear... that is when i noticed the ride got hard. i had the sports on before the sway-bar upgrade, with a fiberglass spring and it was not really that hard at all... had the KY built for the fiberglass spring before the sports.. and they were AWFULE! I had HD on my truck... they were nice..
i vote Sports.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Presently working under contract in Alabama
sports with fiberglass is a must... I have the sports... but im not a cruiser ether...still dont think the ride is that bad... when the ride got hard was when i put in that big a$$ sway bar up front and added a god size sway bar to the rear... that is when i noticed the ride got hard. i had the sports on before the sway-bar upgrade, with a fiberglass spring and it was not really that hard at all... had the KY built for the fiberglass spring before the sports.. and they were AWFULE! I had HD on my truck... they were nice..
i vote Sports.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Presently working under contract in Alabama
1 1/4" up front 3/4" rear...... had the 7/8" rear and had to much oversteer, and the ride was NOTICEABLY harsher, went to the 3/4" rear and was a lot smother, and what feels to be a 100% neutral steer which feels amazing going around corners, a harder ride than my C5 yes, but my C3 is like on rails...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
I also vote for the Sports. Put them on my bone stock suspension '78 over five years and 23,000 miles ago, and they're still going strong. Great control on our windy curvy mountain roads. Firm but not harsh at all in my opinion.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 4
From: Suffield CT
Can't comment of a vette but this brand is the bomb on 94-96 B-Body in HD form.
i am posting cuz the folks talking about them being kinda high $$$ is odd to me.
for my 96 Impala SS it was $270 for all 4. they are over 5 yrs old and feel great still.
i had a beater maxima and ONLY the front struts were NORTH of $900....SMH
I think Bilstein's are a bargain and perform great...they will be my next set on the Vette.
-ALF out...
i am posting cuz the folks talking about them being kinda high $$$ is odd to me.
for my 96 Impala SS it was $270 for all 4. they are over 5 yrs old and feel great still.
i had a beater maxima and ONLY the front struts were NORTH of $900....SMH
I think Bilstein's are a bargain and perform great...they will be my next set on the Vette.
-ALF out...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
First, I wanted to thank everybody who responded! Bilstein Sports are the clear winner. And I appreciate the comments about the composite spring mating well with the Sports. I'll be doing that eventually too. I'll be ordering up a set of 4. Thanks again. This is a great forum.