Bilsteins
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 246
Likes: 15
From: Pell City AL
I went with the Sport for the firmness in the corners but pay the price on rough sections of roads. I think the choice depends on driving habits and the road conditions where you typically drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
I agree with "Obas". If you like to drive in a high spirited way, particularly in corners with irregular surfaces that need help keeping the suspension stable and sticking to the road go "sport". I went with the less aggressive "heavy dutys" and could not be more pleased. The trade-off in slightly superior cornering (mainly if uneven terrain) at the expense of normal road cruising with my wife made the sports a non-starter. And, trust me, the HD's are no performance slouch - they perform superbly - whenever you do have an urge to put it through its paces.
The only thing is, I painted mine black. I know its a personal preference whether to showcase to fellow enthusiasts driving behind you that you have upgraded to gas shocks. But, I simply couldn't get past that gawdawful trademark Bilstien color combination that must have been decided while under the influence of something.
Good luck -
D
The only thing is, I painted mine black. I know its a personal preference whether to showcase to fellow enthusiasts driving behind you that you have upgraded to gas shocks. But, I simply couldn't get past that gawdawful trademark Bilstien color combination that must have been decided while under the influence of something.
Good luck -
D
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your rear spring is still steel, go with HD's at all wheels. If you have a mono-spring in back, put Sport's in the rear. If you have done a lot of 'stuff' to the suspension to make it handle much better, you could go with Sport's all-around. If the suspension is basically stock, I'll stay with my initial recommendation.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
My '71 has a monospring. I installed Heavy Duty unit at all corners. Upon driving it, the rear is not as "controlled" as I would have liked it, while the front is just fine. I think Sports in back would have made it ideal. I'm OK with the result and would not spend more money to swap out the rear shocks. But I wish someone would have told me to use Sports with the monospring.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
I went with Sport rears, HD fronts. 385 lb composite rear springs, 550 fronts. The front is a bit bouncy, and the rear could use more spring (though the sway bar helps.) My 80 is lighter in front than many, and has a stock 1 1/8 away bar and fresh bushings.
I'll probably put in coil-overs someday, vs. Sport fronts, so it's okay for now.
I'll probably put in coil-overs someday, vs. Sport fronts, so it's okay for now.
Pro
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
For generals cruising I'm happy with the B6's. I think it would depend a little on your spring firmness in the rear. If you're 330 or over probably fine with B6's. If you have a softer spring I'd consider the B8's. My personal opinion. I am also running 8" bolts, but you probably have height figured already if you have the spring in.
Advanced
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 91
Likes: 14
From: Canada