Couldn't find much searching on the subject. Looking for decent quality, $100 ea or less, rear shocks that are made for comfortable cruising. Not attacking a track.

I've already got the semi coilover qa1 kit for the fronts and I'm hoping I can adjust 'em to be comfortable enough, so I'm just lookin for rears now. Looking at Koni and Bilstein, but both seem to be performance oriented, not comfort.

Any suggestions?

 

what spring is in the back, that may have more of an impact than the shocks.

 

'81 automatic with the fiberglass monoleaf. Stock length bolts n all, although it's undergoing an all aluminum LS swap so it'll probably lose a bit of weight if that matters.

 

Bilstein Sports are comfotable with the higher rate fiberglass springs. The Bilstein HD's are better with the softer rate fiberglass springs. Do not be afraid of them. They really can do it all.

 

I run the Bilstein Sports along with shortened 550# front springs and a 360# glass rear spring with 1" cut off each end. Shortening both the front coil spring and the transverse rear spring raises the spring rate. I run 40 series 18" performance tires also. The ride is firm but still good and not harsh at all. I know someone that has a late model Audi A6 coupe that rides much stiffer than my Vette. The Audi may be lowered, not sure, all I know is it rides like a board with steel roller skates nailed to it.

Having said that, everybody has their own idea about what is a comfortable ride. I wouldn't want mine any softer.

Mike

 

Any gas shock made for the rear of your car will get that job done: Monroe-matics; AC Delco; etc. You don't need to spend big money if you just want 'normal' ride quality. Get a decent brand at any auto parts store.

P.S. I suggest getting them at a local store in case you have a defective shock. Trying to remedy a defective part bought on the web is much more troublesome. Also, you are never sure what you are buying on the net. Just because it is 'labeled' with a brand name doesn't mean that it is.

 

That's what I'm thinking too. Just go to your local general automotive supply store and by shocks from them and they'll likely be ones that cater to your average driver who wants a soft ride rather than something useful for going around corners at twice the speed limit. I'm looking for a softer ride in my 79 and that's what I'm going to do.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I kind of dismissed the local parts stores, but perhaps in this specific instance I can get exactly what I need from them... AcDelco ftw I guess.

 

If you are looking at AC Delco's try Amazon. A full set of 4 HD' premium professional's cost me less than $100 shipped. With my rebuilt stock suspension they ride and handle great..

One thing to consider is how their dampening rate will feel if you are mixing them with the adjustable QA-1's. You may just want to use the same shock manufacturer all the way around. Summit had best price on QA-1's I could find for them when I was looking.

 

Soft? Id buy a cheap generic non gas shock. Maybe ac delco haha

 

The only thing about regular run of the mill gas shocks is that with a glass rear spring they can be rather bouncy in the back. Takes a better shock to control a glass spring than a steel spring.

Mike

 

Was thinking the same in regard to having qa1's all round, but money's tight right now, and this car has been on stands for better part of a year. I'll throw on some cheap shocks and sooner rather than later I'll get around to those adjustable qa1's in the back as well. I just need to get on the road stat. Moved from FL to CO last November and the roads over here are genuinely awesome.

 

It seems I went thru 3 or 4 different sets of shocks on my '72, which has a 315 composite spring and stock otherwise. Was never happy with the results before getting some Bilstein HD's. They are the best for my setup in my opinion.

 

I was just recently in your shoes (May) and finally decided down the Bilstien Heavy Duty (HD) route. To tell you the truth - and, I am a little on the OCD side about noticing these things especially if it affects my wife's enjoyment of the car - I cannot tell one slight bit of difference between the Bilstiens and the 4 year old Delco's that they replaced. Zippo general difference, at least on an `82 that already had good shocks with under 6000 miles on them. As a caveat, despite their apparently superior performance potential vs. the stock Delcos, like you I am not a track guy, either - long, sweet cruises with sweet music are all I am in it for. HOWEVER, I do notice that the Bilstien's are a little (just a little but noticeable) less jarring and more composed when encountering rough roads and railroad track crossings. If you don't have either of those to contend with in your area you might not notice a difference if your stock shocks are in good order. So, I have no regrets spending the relatively exhorbitant additional money for them (and, lifetime warranty)... and especially since I carefully spray painted them black - to each his own that godawful stock color scheme seemingly dreamed up by a German designer attending a Oktoberfest biergarten trip. Bottom line, be not concerned about noticing any additional ride or handling harshness. I was very concerned about that, but needlessly as it turned out. The "sports" are reportedly calibrated for a harsher, higher performance ride so don't inadvertently order those or you'll take your chances. Good luck -

Dave

 

What if you forget which composite spring you put in the rear and are putting new front springs in front. Any advice which Bilstiens to install. I do enjoy spirited driving from time to time.