rear shock choices

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Nov 23, 2012 | 03:02 PM

AirborneSilva

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 3,487

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From: Titusville Florida

rear shock choices

Before anyone says anything yes I did a search for "shocks" "rear shocks" "C3 rear shocks" and came up with nothing that had to do with shocks.

So, here's my question, while I have the diff out of the car the mechanic asked if I wanted to put new shocks in, what would be a good performing shock? I don't want anything bone jarring but nothing that's too soft either. I just want something so that when I am in the mood for some "spirited" driving out on a country road it will perform well.

Thanks for the input

Nov 23, 2012 | 03:11 PM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Bilstein Heavy-Duty shocks...but you really need to do both front and rear. If you already have installed new shocks in the front, just install the same type in the rear.

If Bilsteins are too expensive for your needs, put some Monroe-matic gas shocks on the car. {I could tell you that installing Bilsteins IS making the financially 'wise' choice, but you and others would likely not believe it. Most low-dollar shocks will last about 5 years, max. Many Bilsteins installed on mid-80's C4's are still working just fine. It's all in what you want NOW, and how long you will be keeping the car.}

Last edited by 7T1vette; Nov 23, 2012 at 03:13 PM.

Nov 23, 2012 | 03:15 PM

68/70Vette

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From: Redondo Beach, California

If you have the iron spring I'd suppose an OEM replacement would be fine. Maybe call Vette Brake Products. They sell Bilsteins. The Bilsteins come in three levels of damping. They recommend NOT buying the competition shock unless you're into motocross. I think they are a forum sponsor so hopefully I'm not in trouble for the VBP recommendation.

Nov 23, 2012 | 03:32 PM

AirborneSilva

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2012

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From: Titusville Florida

Thanks guys, he said he will see what's readily available to him and if I like any of the choices fine if not then I can swap them out later.

I don't have new shocks on front was going to get to the shocks at some point but figured while he had it apart... At any rate I can still do them later if I don't like the choices

Nov 23, 2012 | 03:36 PM

CQRT

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Scottsdale AZ

shock absorbers: some decent reading that might help-

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ew-shocks.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...i-go-with.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...use-these.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...absorbers.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...st-shocks.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...absorbers.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...-bilstein.html

Good luck-

Nov 23, 2012 | 03:37 PM

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

'Original'-type shocks are old, oil-filled units. Those became obsolete about 25 years ago. Gas shocks are much better for good ride AND good handling. But, some folks like to be more 'authentic' than 'functional'; so, either is fine, I guess.

Nov 23, 2012 | 03:38 PM

AirborneSilva

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2012

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From: Titusville Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by CQRT

thank you, I swear I did a search

Nov 23, 2012 | 03:49 PM

AirborneSilva

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 3,487

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From: Titusville Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by CQRT

Sounds like Bilstien HD is the shock of choice.

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Nov 23, 2012 | 04:54 PM

RickyBerg

Pro

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 698

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From: Stockholm Sweden

I chosed the Bilstein Sports.

Those are one step up from the HD:s and definetly make a difference to the car compared with oilfilled shocks.

Nov 23, 2012 | 05:21 PM

#10

CQRT

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From: Scottsdale AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirborneSilva

thank you, I swear I did a search

I just added the word "absorber" . . . somtimes that subtle difference gets you what you want . . no biggie - - glad it worked.

Nov 23, 2012 | 05:34 PM

#11

gcusmano74

Drifting

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All of today's shocks are oil filled. A gas shock has an inert pressurized gas in it as well. (Maybe nitrogen?)

Nov 23, 2012 | 05:48 PM

#12

7T1vette

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From: Crossville TN

Sorry, I guess I should have said that the C3 shocks were only oil filled. I'll try to be more accurate in the future...

Nov 23, 2012 | 06:08 PM

#13

AirborneSilva

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 3,487

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From: Titusville Florida

Thanks everyone, I believe i am going with the Bilstien's but if he can't get them real quick I will just have him put it back together without and I'll get to them as soon as I can.

I'm anxious to get it back and get some serious seat time. After getting it home I haven't been able to get many miles on it. first I had to put in a new crate motor and now this diff was making me nervous. I believe it will be mechanically sound now so no worries on that, so now I can turn most of my attention to the interior

Thanks again, I do appreciate all the experience and help

Nov 23, 2012 | 09:49 PM

#14

Mark G

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: WI

Guys I have a couple questions. I thought I read somewhere that when they went with the fiberglass rear spring they needed to use a 'double-acting' shock (dampens up AND down) where a single-acting shock was used before. Is that correct? If so, was it just the rears or were they all double-acting all the way around?

I bought some brand new (vintage) Monroe matics oil shocks still in the box at a car show this summer for like $5 ea that will fit the 81 as I wanted to experiment and see what a stock ride in 1981 would have felt like. But I haven't checked yet if the rears are single or double-acting.

Considering Bilsteins but I just do occasional hwy driving (no autocross) and don't want a bumpy or choppy ride either.

Thanks,

Mark G

Last edited by Mark G; Nov 23, 2012 at 10:03 PM.

Nov 23, 2012 | 10:45 PM

#15

7T1vette

Team Owner

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From: Crossville TN

I have a monospring in my '71 coupe w/Bilstein H-D's and don't consider the ride to be anything but GOOD....definitely not choppy or bouncy.

Nov 24, 2012 | 05:34 PM

#16

Penton

Heel & Toe

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark G

I have no idea what you mean by single or double acting. All shocks will damp in both rebound (extension) and compression, more so in rebound.

Nov 24, 2012 | 09:13 PM

#17

Street Rat

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From: Central Texas

I went with the Koni adjustables. They cost more but I really like the ride quality.

Nov 24, 2012 | 10:02 PM

#18

Mark G

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 3,697

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From: WI

Quote:

I have no idea what you mean by single or double acting. All shocks will damp in both rebound (extension) and compression, more so in rebound.

Not true.

http://armyordnance.tpub.com/Od10066/Od100660065.htm
"A shock absorber that regulatescompression in addition to rebound is double-acting"

I'm almost certain I read that switching to the fiberglass spring required the use of a double-acting shock, where a single-acting shock was used before. I think it was in Tom Falconer's C3 book. I'll have to check it out.

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