Softer ride shocks
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Thousand Oaks CA
Softer ride
I have an '84. Which as you may know is probably the roughest riding model yet. I changed the shocks to KYB gas and put a set of B.F. Goodrich G-Force Sport tires on. The ride softened significantly. No more bouncing around corners.
Russ
Russ
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Are the shocks original? How many miles on the car? The last few years of the C4 got some of the softest springs and shocks made for the entire C4 production years.
Worn shocks will make the car seem to ride rough as you are feeling the effect more from the springs and not the shocks. For replacements I would go with the OEM Bilsteins. The KYB Gas-A-Just shocks are good and very reasonable in price (around $32 each at Summit or JEG's) but they are a little stiffer than OEM.
Worn shocks will make the car seem to ride rough as you are feeling the effect more from the springs and not the shocks. For replacements I would go with the OEM Bilsteins. The KYB Gas-A-Just shocks are good and very reasonable in price (around $32 each at Summit or JEG's) but they are a little stiffer than OEM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Originally Posted by t0172ls
Just got a '94 C4.
The ride is pretty harsh at lower speeds.
What's a good shock to soften the ride?
I don't much care about performance handling.
The ride is pretty harsh at lower speeds.
What's a good shock to soften the ride?
I don't much care about performance handling.
I think the shocks from a Cadillac will fit. Go there and buy a set.
Then trade in the Vette so you'll have something to mount the shocks to.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Oct 11, 2006 at 09:29 PM.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
If you have run flat tires, replace them with conventional ones. They may be great if you don't have a spare, but they are terrible for a comfortable ride. I like my car so much better without them.
I also put on softer shocks, Gabriel. I like my car to handle well, but for a daily driver on many rural roads, a little softer ride is welcome. Plus, sometimes on a bumpy road, my handling was actually worse because the rough pavement would cause the tires to bounce off the ground, an example of a softer suspension potentially being better for handling.
I also put on softer shocks, Gabriel. I like my car to handle well, but for a daily driver on many rural roads, a little softer ride is welcome. Plus, sometimes on a bumpy road, my handling was actually worse because the rough pavement would cause the tires to bounce off the ground, an example of a softer suspension potentially being better for handling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
When i got my 94 last year, it had KONI yellow adjustibles on it, they are still there, but much more bearable when they are not turned right up to the stiffest setting!!! If you dont care much about performance handling, take the shocks out all together and that will soften it right up..... 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 47
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by bacardioil
Install Qa1 shocks front and back, you will love them.
Tokiko are a good option also....
KYB seems to be the best deal for the cash though.......
Last edited by MR.LT1; Oct 12, 2006 at 07:50 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Think about KYB's. I switched to these last year and they work for me.
They run around $149.95 for a full set (4). For an upgrade, take a look at either QA1's or Bilstein's. I guess it boils down to the size of your wallet.
They run around $149.95 for a full set (4). For an upgrade, take a look at either QA1's or Bilstein's. I guess it boils down to the size of your wallet.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I must be the only one that doesnt like KYB's. I have them on my vette now and they're worse than stock in my opinion. I also have them on my old pickup and the ride is bad there too. I'm going to spend a little more and get the Bilsteins next year. Good stuff IMO.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Originally Posted by 4Ever21
I must be the only one that doesnt like KYB's. I have them on my vette now and they're worse than stock in my opinion. I also have them on my old pickup and the ride is bad there too. I'm going to spend a little more and get the Bilsteins next year. Good stuff IMO.
Got them on my '90, I'm with you.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by t0172ls
Just got a '94 C4. I don't much care about performance handling.
MAM sells some cheap shocks that should offer minimal damping.
Larry
code5coupe
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,196
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
monroe gas shocks are pretty gentle. I hate them, but was my only option at the time when I got them several years ago. 
I can take the speed bumps at work at regular parking lot speed without bottoming out or hurting my suspension.
I can take the speed bumps at work at regular parking lot speed without bottoming out or hurting my suspension.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Originally Posted by t0172ls
Just got a '94 C4. The ride is pretty harsh at lower speeds. What's a good shock to soften the ride? I don't much care about performance handling.
www.shockwarehouse.com
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Try lowering tire pressure
When I bought my vette, the tires were pumped up to 44 psi (because that's what the tire's max PSI states). Man did it ride rough! I don't know if the previous owner thought they HAD to be at 44 or what!
I've tried 28-36 psi. Before new Bilsteins, I liked the lower number. After new shocks, I like 32 for the front and 36 for the rear. (Keep in mind I have 315's on the back).
Experiment with that a little before trying new shocks. If you really don't care about pushing it around corners, don't be afraid to try 28!
-gp
I've tried 28-36 psi. Before new Bilsteins, I liked the lower number. After new shocks, I like 32 for the front and 36 for the rear. (Keep in mind I have 315's on the back).
Experiment with that a little before trying new shocks. If you really don't care about pushing it around corners, don't be afraid to try 28!
-gp
Last edited by GREGGPENN; Oct 12, 2006 at 05:06 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 6
From: The Woodlands TX TX
Take a look at the Edlebraock IAS shocks. They have an inertia valve in them that lets them absord bumps, but if you corner hard they instantly firm up. I put them on my 96 which has the base suspension and the car handles freaking perfect for any situation, though I have never had it on the track, and wouldn't suspect it to out corner a Z51 car, but it will our corner and ride smoother than the standard setup or the FX3. It's like having an FX3 that adjusts automatically.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by BADDUCK
At 70K your shocks are worn out. If you have the coin get the Bilsteins.
www.shockwarehouse.com
www.shockwarehouse.com