KYB vs Bilstein?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
KYB vs Bilstein?
Hey guys!
Ok...since rear bilstein HDs r on backorder til october (may b able to pay little more to get sooner)...but r they really better than KYBs?
Kybs r avail now...just thinking out loud...
Did full zip corvette upgrade susp...not lowered...
What u guys think?
Ok...since rear bilstein HDs r on backorder til october (may b able to pay little more to get sooner)...but r they really better than KYBs?
Kybs r avail now...just thinking out loud...
Did full zip corvette upgrade susp...not lowered...
What u guys think?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Everyone backordered? I usually order through a website called eshocks...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
For my purposes I'm a Koni guy, but IMHO installing a set of Bilsteins is one of the Top 5 improvements most C2/C3 owners will ever make. In the big picture it isn't really all that long until October. My $.02
And, FWIW the shock tower spreader bar is also on the short list. OK, make that $.04
And, FWIW the shock tower spreader bar is also on the short list. OK, make that $.04
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
I've never ran kyb's but recently switched to bilstien sports what a difference between them and monroe sense track. I plan on going bilstien HD in front given their a little softer and should give better weight transfer.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
For my purposes I'm a Koni guy, but IMHO installing a set of Bilsteins is one of the Top 5 improvements most C2/C3 owners will ever make. In the big picture it isn't really all that long until October. My $.02
And, FWIW the shock tower spreader bar is also on the short list. OK, make that $.04
And, FWIW the shock tower spreader bar is also on the short list. OK, make that $.04
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i got QA1 shocks from VBP because the bilstiens have been pushing back availability a month at a time. you may hear october and it may get pushed farther.
im very well pleased with QA1 shocks but they are a bit more.
im very well pleased with QA1 shocks but they are a bit more.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
I got my bilstien from summit. Shipped the same day. How do you like the qa1s?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
truthfully i couldn't be happier, the car handles vastly better with springs and shocks, very sure footed, and the ride is good. vbp set it up right.
next week the new 7 qt Milodon pan and pickup with a Melling select pump so if i hit the turns harder the engine will survive
next week the new 7 qt Milodon pan and pickup with a Melling select pump so if i hit the turns harder the engine will survive
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
truthfully i couldn't be happier, the car handles vastly better with springs and shocks, very sure footed, and the ride is good. vbp set it up right.
next week the new 7 qt Milodon pan and pickup with a Melling select pump so if i hit the turns harder the engine will survive
next week the new 7 qt Milodon pan and pickup with a Melling select pump so if i hit the turns harder the engine will survive
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
The KYB white monotube shock just doesn't work with a fiberglass rear spring. KYB's low pressure GR2 shock with special valving, available from VB&P does a MUCH better job.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 845
Likes: 12
From: LAKE BARRINGTON IL
Thanks guys! Great info!
Brcmpbl-
Why bilstein sports?
Did u lower ur car?
According to Bilstein, sports r engineered specifically for lowered suspension systems. They improve their handling. If not lowered, sports will roughen the ride on a stock height suspension. They advise the best stock to control at stock height is the HD.
I do plan on HDs...but anyone try HD vs sports?
With stock height??
Thx
Ron
Brcmpbl-
Why bilstein sports?
Did u lower ur car?
According to Bilstein, sports r engineered specifically for lowered suspension systems. They improve their handling. If not lowered, sports will roughen the ride on a stock height suspension. They advise the best stock to control at stock height is the HD.
I do plan on HDs...but anyone try HD vs sports?
With stock height??
Thx
Ron
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
Hi Ron. My car is a 1970 small block with AC (thus big block front springs), stock height. I chose Sports because I wanted a firmer ride. The car does not ride rough - no more than a regular C3 does anyway. I also have a 1976 with factory FE7 suspension that I do not find "stiff" either. I think personal preference and sensibilities play a role.
The Bilsteins transformed my 1970 though, compared to the old Konis that were on it before. I think you would be happy with both the Sports and the HDs, so buy with confidence.
The Bilsteins transformed my 1970 though, compared to the old Konis that were on it before. I think you would be happy with both the Sports and the HDs, so buy with confidence.
Last edited by Brcmpbl; Jul 22, 2014 at 09:18 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I bought my '72 vert in '95, the first thing was the fitting of 17" C4 wheels/tires I running 255/50/17 in front 275/50/17 in rear
steel spring in rear was quickly replaced with VBP 360 lbs plastic, and at first KYB shocks on all 4 corners, later replaced with Bilstein sports....HUGE improvement in ride quality....I have 460 lbs springs in front....
some years later I got a deal on the cross support and it was another HUGE improvement......I have a stock sway bar in back ~1/2 inch diameter,....and a thinner sway bar in front....also have rack steering....
steel spring in rear was quickly replaced with VBP 360 lbs plastic, and at first KYB shocks on all 4 corners, later replaced with Bilstein sports....HUGE improvement in ride quality....I have 460 lbs springs in front....
some years later I got a deal on the cross support and it was another HUGE improvement......I have a stock sway bar in back ~1/2 inch diameter,....and a thinner sway bar in front....also have rack steering....