I know that Bilstiens and Koni shocks are the best. But in Ohio the roads are rough year round. I drive 3000 mi a year going to cruise-ins
and carving a few corners. I just want a set of shocks that will handle well on not glass smooth roads. Some say brand m, brand g, and brand k are junk. I know you only hear bad stories, but who is happy with their lower price choices.

 

Research KYB, and form your own opinion (Tire Rack). Don't notice
any difference from the Bilsteins I replaced..... cruise driving only.
If your driving is more spirited, you may want to ask the experts at Tire Rack.

 

Bilstein HD are very good.

The Bilstein Sport swill be pretty harsh with original suspension.

Bill

 

Generally speaking the worse the roads are, the BETTER the shocks (and springs as well) have to be to control the suspension. Another words, if the road is billet smooth, you can probably get away with using cheap mass market shocks like KYB, Monroe, Gabriel, and even OEM A/C Delco oils.

However, the same characteristics of a shock that are so desirable for a performance shock, generally, will IMPROVE the ride of the car versus a cheap one, on winding roads and/or rough surface roads.

I have had the OEM Delco Oils, KYB's, Koni oils, Bilstein Heavy Duty AND Bilstein Sports over the last 30 years on my 78. BY FAR, the best shock has been the Bilsteins-hands down-for ride, steering response, and handling-regardless of the road conditions over all the others. I currently have Bisltein HD's in front with 550 springs and Bilstein Sports with a 360 composite spring and the car rides firm, but not harsh, actually really nice! I am in New England where the roads suck as well, as a reference. Of course, ride is subjective, though. A neighbor with a Lexus LS 430 rode recently in my 78 and could not believe how well it rode-go figure. I would strongly recommend the Bilstein HD's for most C3's who want maximum ride comfort with better handling.

A little more reference and background: I put a set of Bilstein HD Struts/Shocks on my Chrysler 300 at 80,000 miles and they improved the ride (again zero float, firm, not jarring, excellent on rough surfaces-better than OEM) and improved the handling. Complete set of 6 Bilsteins on my 94 Mustang GT Convertible-totally transformed the ride of this car. Just bought a car set of Bilstein Sports that are Doug Rippie racing specially valved for my 10 Z06-Go to the Z06 forum and do a search on these shocks to see how they transform the ride of a C6Z06-not on the car yet though.

Lastly, DD Train/Airport car-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix. Switched the OEM Delco Stuts to KYB GR-2's at 65,000. I was VERY disappointed in the ride and handling of these struts. Way too soft, crashing over pumps, porpoising on the highway-JUNK!I actually drove them until this fall at 140,000 miles. Here is the surprise! Of course, wanted to put Bilstein Struts on the car but they are ridiculously priced-$650 for Bilstein Comfort and like $950 car set for the Sports-No way on this car. After extensive research, I discovered and bought Monroe Sensatrac POLICE struts/Springs-Quick Struts for a 2003 Chevy Impala Police package car on my 2001 GP. What a difference! These struts/springs are the ones that the car should have come from the factory with. Again, they are firm, not harsh, but literally float right over bumps, like the car never did before. I actually have zero fear now of rough roads with this combination.

Lots of experience here, hope that helps someone!

 

I put Bilstein sports on mine and cut one coil out of the front. I was concerned that it would be too harsh but after doing so I am quite pleased with the ride

 

I put 9k on my new Blistien this summer with a 6K trip to San Diego. I traveled on every kind of road at every speed and the Blistien are great, steady, not harsh, just great.

 

I have KYB Gas-A-Just all around, and am very happy.

 

I had the KYB Gas A Just shocks back in 1983 until about 1990 and they were a decent shock BUT not Bilsteins, by a long way. The Gas A Just, KYB's premium shock, is ok for C3's with the steel rear spring, but when used with a composite rear spring, they do not have adequate rebound control and the rear of the car will pogo stick down the highway even on smooth pavement, in my experience. I had the Gas A Just with both the steel and the composite rear spring. The OEM replacement shock/strut line from KYB is the GR-2s and as mentioned above this shock is a mass market standard replacement shock with little performance or in my experience, poor to fair ride characteristics.

 

However, VB&P distributes a specially valved GR-2 shock intended for use with a rear fiberglass spring. This prevents the pogoing and provides both decent ride and handling for fiberglass spring equipped C-3's.

 

The OP specifically asked "who is happy with their lower price choices?", so Bilstein may be the best shocks, but I would not consider them a 'lower price choice'. So I'm not sure if the talk about how great Bilstein shocks are, is very useful to the OP.

 

I have those and I agree.

 

Whatever you do, put "gas" shocks on your car. For shock rebound response, the difference between gas shocks and hydraulic shocks is considerable. Whether you go with the 'everyday' quality shock (like Monroe gas-matics) or Bilsteins is up to you and your wallet. But, the everyday shocks will last a few years while the Bilsteins may last many years (15-20 without needing replacement). You get your "money's worth" with Bilsteins, if you keep them long enough.

And, if you have a monospring in rear, I agree with the prior poster than Bilstein H/D's in front and Sports in back is the way to go.

 

Yea for a lower price look at the KYB Gas-A-just if running a steel rear spring.

I put Bilstein's on my 73 but I also have a VBP composite rear spring.

 

Yes that is what he asked but I am trying to convey looking for a smooth ride over rough roads with cheap shocks may be short sighted since the better quality shocks will actually be more effective in smoothing a rough road, from my experience.

 

As some are attempting to point out for the OP's benefit, cheap doesn't always equate to a bargain. And, the roads on which one operates have a lot to do with control and ride quality for any given shock. My $.02

 

$300 for Blistien vs $150 for Delco. Take $300 and don't look back, that's not a lot for the best best street shocks! When it comes to Covette's you should debate 3K not 300.

 

Precisely my point!

 

I'm currently running Edelbrocks (which are no longer available), and now I am switching to Blistien's to try to see if they will improve my performance.

However, I have owned KYB GR-2's from VBP with a fiberglass spring, and they were very comfortable shocks for cruising. Nicest riding shocks I've owned, just didn't handle outstanding. The wife, which worries more about comfort than anything else, wishes I would put them back on. Now if the OP has a steel rear spring, I have no idea if the GR-2's would work as well in that situation or not.

 

I have Monroes on mine and they are good enough. Not great by a long shot, but good.

 

Have to agree that rough roads are even more reason to put the HD Bilsteins on there. For a difference in price of around $150, there really isn't an argument........come summer that's gonna be two tanks of gas.