Bilsteins - there is no substitute! 
Which shock absorber??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Round Rock TX
Which shock absorber??
I have a 73 Corvette and there are so many rear shocks to choose from. Can someone please tell me which would be a good value. Which brand and type keeping in mind I don't want to spend a fortune on these.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
If you don't mean "cheapest" when you say "good value", IMHO installing a set of Bilsteins is one of the best improvements most C3 owners will ever perform.
edit - FWIW, I have Koni adjustables, but won't claim they're for everyone.
edit - FWIW, I have Koni adjustables, but won't claim they're for everyone.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Jul 18, 2011 at 08:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,777
Likes: 105
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Over the past 30 years, I have had Delcos, KYB Gas A Just (the GR2's are really not well suited to sports cars-way too soft), Koni oils, and Bilsteins (both the Heavy Duty and Sports (30% Stiffer than the HD's). By far the best shock are the Bilsteins, in my opinion! I currently run Bilstein HD's in front with poly bushings everywhere, 550 springs, and the OEM 1 1/8 inch sway bar and Sports in the rear with a 3/4 inch rear OEM type sway bar, 360 monospring, and competition adjustable Heim joint strut rods. Hope that helps!
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
KYB twin tube gas shocks in January all the way around. Slightly stiffer than oem Delco and not nearly as expensive as Billsteins. If I were racing and throwing the car hard into corners I'd probably do Billsteins which are expensive but for other general uses like I use my car now, the KYB's were exactly what I was hoping they'd be and weren't bad on cost either.
Lance
Lance
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
I have the monroe sensatrack also. They came with the car and work ok for 10+ year old shocks but on pot holes and choppy roads they can't control my 255/60-15. They may be beyond the service life
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,451
Likes: 974
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Just a little more info:
Monroe sensatracs are about $150 for 4 shocks
KYB Gas A Just are about $150 for 4 shocks and should be used with a steel rear spring, not a composite since the ride will be very bouncy with the fiberglass rear spring (ask me how I know). IMHO the gas a just is a much better shock than the monroe Sensatrac.
KYB GR2's are about $100 for 4 shocks and can be used with either the composite or steel spring but are VERY soft.
Bilsteins are about $300 for 4 shocks for either the Heavy Duty or the Sports (30% stiffer than the HD's) and are worth every dime if you want to improve the ride AND the handling at the same time. There is reason that they are 2 times the price of some of the others. They will make a C3 ride like it never did when new from the factory (ask me how I know).
Hope that helps!
Monroe sensatracs are about $150 for 4 shocks
KYB Gas A Just are about $150 for 4 shocks and should be used with a steel rear spring, not a composite since the ride will be very bouncy with the fiberglass rear spring (ask me how I know). IMHO the gas a just is a much better shock than the monroe Sensatrac.
KYB GR2's are about $100 for 4 shocks and can be used with either the composite or steel spring but are VERY soft.
Bilsteins are about $300 for 4 shocks for either the Heavy Duty or the Sports (30% stiffer than the HD's) and are worth every dime if you want to improve the ride AND the handling at the same time. There is reason that they are 2 times the price of some of the others. They will make a C3 ride like it never did when new from the factory (ask me how I know).
Hope that helps!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
JB, I am also considering shocks for the front of my 72, You seem to have experience with many different brands. My question would be 1- which shocks absorb more 2- which shock will give the better ride 3-which ones handle the best for cornering. It sounds as though you will say the Bilsteins. If so then I have the following questions:
4-is the Bilstein a gas shock? 5- Do you recommend the sport or the HD. 6 What is different in the way they are built that makes them that much better.
The reason I am only looking into front shocks Is that I hope to go to a coil over rear suspension this fall.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Thanks Rodney
4-is the Bilstein a gas shock? 5- Do you recommend the sport or the HD. 6 What is different in the way they are built that makes them that much better.
The reason I am only looking into front shocks Is that I hope to go to a coil over rear suspension this fall.
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Thanks Rodney
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
Youtube has some good company generated Billstein shock videos. They claim their monotube versus twin tube is superior. Many people who have them like them especially for hard uses of the car. I found that the cost compared to my use did not require them and did KYB's which were a bit stiffer than Delco OEM and used the twin tube non adjustibles and have been very satisfied with them.
Here are a couple but there are more....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ZZYqRVzLc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBDBD...eature=related
Lance
Here are a couple but there are more....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ZZYqRVzLc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBDBD...eature=related
Lance
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: chilliwack bc
I.a.s. Performers !!!!! Edelbrock !!!!!
I just put a set on there the best shocks iv ever put on !!!
by far and i have tryed all the rest before 350 $ for four .
they do what they claim with the inertia dampening system !
it litterally was like puting a new performance package in the car i have since put in a new monoglass rear spring and flowmaster afterburner mufflers my 81 is like a new car more power better handleing and sounds way better !!! now if my damn headlights would go down i cant find the vacume leak !!!
by far and i have tryed all the rest before 350 $ for four .
they do what they claim with the inertia dampening system !
it litterally was like puting a new performance package in the car i have since put in a new monoglass rear spring and flowmaster afterburner mufflers my 81 is like a new car more power better handleing and sounds way better !!! now if my damn headlights would go down i cant find the vacume leak !!!
