Bilsteins
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 961
From: Communist Colorado
Bilsteins
Ive used them on C4's and they always seemed like a nice improvement over whatever they replaced. Is it the same for the C3, or will the grey KYB's work fine?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
I may be a bit biased as I have them on all of my Corvettes, a 1998 Tacoma (200k and still going strong), an F-250 Superduty and my autocross car, a Miata. 
I don't think you will be disappointed unless price is your prime consideration.
I did put a set of KYB's on my '73 Corvette in 1991 and changed them out a couple of years later, (mostly just because I could), for a set of Bilsteins. With just 10k miles on the KYB's the nitrogen was gone. I had planned to give them to a club member, thinking they would be an upgrade on the stock GM shocks but tossed them instead. At the time they were one of the least expensive gas shocks available and the car magazines seemed to like them. Soon just about everyone was offering nitrogen filled shocks though.
If you do decide to go with the Bilsteins, shop around, prices do vary. Eshocks.com used to be a great place to buy them, but I think they are no longer in business.
Good luck... GUSTO
I don't think you will be disappointed unless price is your prime consideration.
I did put a set of KYB's on my '73 Corvette in 1991 and changed them out a couple of years later, (mostly just because I could), for a set of Bilsteins. With just 10k miles on the KYB's the nitrogen was gone. I had planned to give them to a club member, thinking they would be an upgrade on the stock GM shocks but tossed them instead. At the time they were one of the least expensive gas shocks available and the car magazines seemed to like them. Soon just about everyone was offering nitrogen filled shocks though.
If you do decide to go with the Bilsteins, shop around, prices do vary. Eshocks.com used to be a great place to buy them, but I think they are no longer in business.
Good luck... GUSTO
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 211
Likes: 148
From: NJ->WI
I have stock front coils and a 360lb fiberglass rear leaf spring. Bilstein B6 shocks in the front and B8 shocks in the rear made the car take bumps like a modern daily driver and body roll during cornering was drastically reduced. If you have a steel rear leaf use B6 shocks all around.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,948
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
Bilsteins were a great improvement in my 80.
You probably already have a composite rear spring. Consider semi coil-overs with double-adjustable shocks up front, though. That's next for both cars.
You probably already have a composite rear spring. Consider semi coil-overs with double-adjustable shocks up front, though. That's next for both cars.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 704
Likes: 503
From: Temple, TX
I changed out the Gabriel Ultras on my car for a set of Bilstien B8 (Sport/Performance Plus) on all four corners. I have an '80 Gymkhana car with the factory coils up front and steel leaf rear. Some say this combo is "harsh". I disagree. Firm and sporty? Sure, but its what I wanted and the car's handling is much improved over the Gabriels. Can't really go wrong with the Bilsteins.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 177
Likes: 74
From: California
Bilsteins have always worked well for me, regardless of what vehicle they were on. I had them on my 82 (B6/HD front and B8/Sport rear) before upgrading to adjustable shocks last year. They gave a sporty, controlled ride with 550 front/360 rear springs and held their own for autocross too.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 177
Likes: 74
From: California
For the front the B6s will work just fine. If you have a composite leaf spring you're probably better off with the B8. The earlier steel springs have more internal damping than the composite springs due to the friction between the leaves so you don't need as much damping from the shock. The composite spring doesn't have that friction so having a shock with more damping will help with that bounciness you're experiencing.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 614
Likes: 56
From: Dover, Delaware
What's the best for my 78 SA???
Just an afterthought after reading all the posts...
Ok can I get a general consensus for what would be the best recommendation excluding cost for my stock 78 SA??
JJ78
Ok can I get a general consensus for what would be the best recommendation excluding cost for my stock 78 SA??
JJ78
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,948
Likes: 4,506
From: Virginia
With unlimited budget, you could completely replace the C3 chassis and upgrade to a narrowed C7 suspension. There'd be nothing left of your C3 below the 8 body bolts.
Or you could buy a C7 ZR1.