Rear Shocks 1981
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I guess the first question is what kind of a ride and handling improvement (if at all) are you looking for? If you are looking for a nice ride with pretty much the same handling as stock, I would save your money and go with a mass merchandise shock like mentioned above.
If you are looking for improvements than you need to spend some money. You also have a fiberglass rear spring so that may effect your decision as well. I have a 360 composite spring on my 78 L-82 4 speed and have had delcos, KYB Gas a Just (not the GR2's), koni. and bilstein Heavy duties and sports. I currently run Bilstein HD's in the front and Sports (30% stiffer than the HD's) in the rear.
Much of the choice is subjective but I will tell you this that the Bilsteins are worth their weight in gold in our C3's, in my opinion!. I also installed Bilsteins on my 94 Mustang GT convertible and they transformed the ride on that car as well.
Like everythiing else in life, generally, you get what you pay for-keep that in mind!
Hope that helps!
If you are looking for improvements than you need to spend some money. You also have a fiberglass rear spring so that may effect your decision as well. I have a 360 composite spring on my 78 L-82 4 speed and have had delcos, KYB Gas a Just (not the GR2's), koni. and bilstein Heavy duties and sports. I currently run Bilstein HD's in the front and Sports (30% stiffer than the HD's) in the rear.
Much of the choice is subjective but I will tell you this that the Bilsteins are worth their weight in gold in our C3's, in my opinion!. I also installed Bilsteins on my 94 Mustang GT convertible and they transformed the ride on that car as well.
Like everythiing else in life, generally, you get what you pay for-keep that in mind!
Hope that helps!
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jun 7, 2011 at 08:00 AM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Camden NY
St. Jude Donor '10
Shocks For 1978 383 Stroker Mod?
I guess the first question is what kind of a ride and handling improvement (if at all) are you looking for? If you are looking for a nice ride with pretty much the same handling as stock, I would save your money and go with a mass merchandise shock like mentioned above.
If you are looking for improvements than you need to spend some money. You also have a fiberglass rear spring so that may effect your decision as well. I have a 360 composite spring on my 78 L-82 4 speed and have had delcos, KYB Gas a Just (not the GR2's), koni. and bilstein Heavy duties and sports. I currently run Bilstein HD's in the front and Sports (30% stiffer than the HD's) in the rear.
Much of the choice is subjective but I will tell you this that the Bilsteins are worth their weight in gold in our C3's, in my opinion!. I also installed Bilsteins on my 94 Mustang GT convertible and they transformed the ride on that car as well.
Like everythiing else in life, generally, you get what you pay for-keep that in mind!
Hope that helps!
If you are looking for improvements than you need to spend some money. You also have a fiberglass rear spring so that may effect your decision as well. I have a 360 composite spring on my 78 L-82 4 speed and have had delcos, KYB Gas a Just (not the GR2's), koni. and bilstein Heavy duties and sports. I currently run Bilstein HD's in the front and Sports (30% stiffer than the HD's) in the rear.
Much of the choice is subjective but I will tell you this that the Bilsteins are worth their weight in gold in our C3's, in my opinion!. I also installed Bilsteins on my 94 Mustang GT convertible and they transformed the ride on that car as well.
Like everythiing else in life, generally, you get what you pay for-keep that in mind!
Hope that helps!
Was looking at the HD Bilsteins in the MAM catalog. I'm assuming the car weighs more with the 383 and thought a HD shock would be good?
Your post above makes sense, but guess that's for original stock condition?
Thanks,
Bob
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I have a lightly modified original L-82 but with some weight loss-no A/C compressor, zero pollution control device of any type, and a very modified suspension:
Front:
550 lb springs
1 1/8 OEM sway bar with all poly bushings
Spreader bar
upper and lower poly control arm bushings
Bilstein HD's with Poly bushings
Rear:
360 lb composite spring with poly cushings
Bilstein Sports
3/4 OEM type rear sway bar with poly bushings
Competition adjustable Struts rods with Heim joints
255/45/17 ZR Summer only ultra high performance tires
I don't think the additional weight of the 383 should be a factor in your decision since the weight issue is mostly controlled by the spring rates.
Hope that helps!
Front:
550 lb springs
1 1/8 OEM sway bar with all poly bushings
Spreader bar
upper and lower poly control arm bushings
Bilstein HD's with Poly bushings
Rear:
360 lb composite spring with poly cushings
Bilstein Sports
3/4 OEM type rear sway bar with poly bushings
Competition adjustable Struts rods with Heim joints
255/45/17 ZR Summer only ultra high performance tires
I don't think the additional weight of the 383 should be a factor in your decision since the weight issue is mostly controlled by the spring rates.
Hope that helps!
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Camden NY
St. Jude Donor '10
Thanks, JB. My suspension is stock, though.
My dilemma is this: if I buy the Bilsteins and later on replace the spring with a composite and add rack and pinion steering, I'm not sure the Bils will be a good match. Saw a posting (yours?) that addressed this issue.
I'm over-analyzing, but don't want to get stuck with expensive stocks that might have to be replaced later on due to suspension mods.
Cheers!
Bob
My dilemma is this: if I buy the Bilsteins and later on replace the spring with a composite and add rack and pinion steering, I'm not sure the Bils will be a good match. Saw a posting (yours?) that addressed this issue.
I'm over-analyzing, but don't want to get stuck with expensive stocks that might have to be replaced later on due to suspension mods.
Cheers!
Bob
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Hey Bob, Just sit right down & decide what you are going to do with your ride. Than only buy what you are planing to use in the end. Saves lots of money. The Bilsteins are only 294.00 if you buy all four at once. But you can buy the cheap ones for around 35.00 each, or 140.00 for four. They will last around 3 to 4 years, if you don't do a lot of driving. Aren't these cars wonderful money pits, but my wife says she isn't jealous & she knows where I'm at. LOL Have a great day. Gene
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Thanks, JB. My suspension is stock, though.
My dilemma is this: if I buy the Bilsteins and later on replace the spring with a composite and add rack and pinion steering, I'm not sure the Bils will be a good match. Saw a posting (yours?) that addressed this issue.
I'm over-analyzing, but don't want to get stuck with expensive stocks that might have to be replaced later on due to suspension mods.
Cheers!
Bob
My dilemma is this: if I buy the Bilsteins and later on replace the spring with a composite and add rack and pinion steering, I'm not sure the Bils will be a good match. Saw a posting (yours?) that addressed this issue.
I'm over-analyzing, but don't want to get stuck with expensive stocks that might have to be replaced later on due to suspension mods.
Cheers!
Bob
Last edited by MIKE80; Jun 9, 2011 at 07:13 PM.
