shocks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
If you have, or ever plan to have a VB&P composite rear spring, they recommend a specific set of Bilsteins that's designed to work with the characteristics of their spring. Aside from that, Bilstein or one of their retail suppliers should be able to help you decide what's best for how you plan to use your Vette. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,459
Likes: 978
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I have a 360 VBP monospring on my 78 since 1986 replacing the gymkhana/F-41 7 leaf steel spring that came with the car. I have had KYB Gas A Just and Bilsteins in the rear over that time (both HD's and Sports-30% Stiffer than the HD's). Both the Bilsteins (HD/Sports) will be a BIG improvement over most shocks including the KYB's GR-2's which IMHO are a mass market shock that are just too soft for a C3. The Bilsteins are GREAT but the HD's with my 360 spring were a tad too bouncy for me with my 360 spring so I bought a set of rear Bilstein Sports and installed them in the rear only and have HD's in front with my 550 springs-Perfection!. The ride is still great but slightly stiffer in the rear. The car handles great and feels really planted on the road. If it was me, the choice is easy: If you like a slightly softer ride go with the HD's (they are still stiff) but if you are looking for the ultimate sport ride that you can get in a C3, go for the sports.
Although I never had the GR-2's on the vette, I did have a full set on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and hated them-way too soft, softer than the AC Delcos. I recently replaced all 4 struts with 2001 Impala POLICE struts and springs. Tranformed the ride (good) and handling. You can figure my preference from that example.
Hope that helps!
Although I never had the GR-2's on the vette, I did have a full set on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and hated them-way too soft, softer than the AC Delcos. I recently replaced all 4 struts with 2001 Impala POLICE struts and springs. Tranformed the ride (good) and handling. You can figure my preference from that example.
Hope that helps!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
I have a 360 VBP monospring on my 78 since 1986 replacing the gymkhana/F-41 7 leaf steel spring that came with the car. I have had KYB Gas A Just and Bilsteins in the rear over that time (both HD's and Sports-30% Stiffer than the HD's). Both the Bilsteins (HD/Sports) will be a BIG improvement over most shocks including the KYB's GR-2's which IMHO are a mass market shock that are just too soft for a C3. The Bilsteins are GREAT but the HD's with my 360 spring were a tad too bouncy for me with my 360 spring so I bought a set of rear Bilstein Sports and installed them in the rear only and have HD's in front with my 550 springs-Perfection!. The ride is still great but slightly stiffer in the rear. The car handles great and feels really planted on the road. If it was me, the choice is easy: If you like a slightly softer ride go with the HD's (they are still stiff) but if you are looking for the ultimate sport ride that you can get in a C3, go for the sports.
Although I never had the GR-2's on the vette, I did have a full set on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and hated them-way too soft, softer than the AC Delcos. I recently replaced all 4 struts with 2001 Impala POLICE struts and springs. Tranformed the ride (good) and handling. You can figure my preference from that example.
Hope that helps!
Although I never had the GR-2's on the vette, I did have a full set on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix and hated them-way too soft, softer than the AC Delcos. I recently replaced all 4 struts with 2001 Impala POLICE struts and springs. Tranformed the ride (good) and handling. You can figure my preference from that example.
Hope that helps!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
My SB '71 coupe has a composition spring in back and I installed Bilstein HD's all-around. Having done so, I think it would have been better to put HD's on the front and Sports on the back. As is, the rear is a little spongy when going over some 'significant' bumps.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Awesome thanks for the info.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,941
Likes: 850
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
funny you should ask, I just got a vbp 360 spring and the bilstiens are on back order so they gave me a deal on the qa1 shocks. you can tell they are high quality when you take them out of the box , they are going in this week
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Nice! I'm ordering blisten sports. You should post back with a review on your suppension set up.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak