new shocks?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 707
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From: Fuquay Varina North Carolina
new shocks?
my vette is 12 years old, 80,000 miles, still has the original bilstiens..still rides quite nicely, but my knowledge tells me it's time to change the shocks. Should I stay with bilstiens when I buy new ones? I use the car strickly for pleasure..I don't go into turns at 120mph..and I very rarely push it above 85 on the highway.
Last edited by VinceC4; Jul 24, 2007 at 06:30 AM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 630
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From: BEMIDJI MN
I was in the same boat you are in but several years ago. I stayed with the Bilsteins. I haven't regretted it . My 87 is my daily driver during the summer months. I have never had it on a track and do not race.
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
my vette is 12 years old, 80,000 miles, still has the original bilstiens..still rides quite nicely, but my knowledge tells me it's time to change the shocks. Should I stay with bilstiens when I buy new ones? I use the car strickly for pleasure..I don't go into turns at 120mph..and I very rarely push it above 85 on the highway.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
To my way of thinking, shocks with 80,000 miles on them are in need of replacing. I don't care what the Bilstein ads say....
If you don't need adjustables (and it doesn't sound like you do), I'd recommend staying with the Bilsteins.
They are an excellent unit and very affordable.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
not easily impressed....
If you don't need adjustables (and it doesn't sound like you do), I'd recommend staying with the Bilsteins.
They are an excellent unit and very affordable.Larry
code5coupe
__________
not easily impressed....
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood CA
Stay with Bilstein!
I bought my 93 and it had Monroe Sensatracks on all 4 corners *BARF*. I replaced them all with Bilsteins and they are great. Don't cheap out on shocks for these cars. They are meant to handle!
I bought my 93 and it had Monroe Sensatracks on all 4 corners *BARF*. I replaced them all with Bilsteins and they are great. Don't cheap out on shocks for these cars. They are meant to handle!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
To my way of thinking, shocks with 80,000 miles on them are in need of replacing. I don't care what the Bilstein ads say....
If you don't need adjustables (and it doesn't sound like you do), I'd recommend staying with the Bilsteins. They are an excellent unit and very affordable.
Larry
code5coupe
__________
not easily impressed....
If you don't need adjustables (and it doesn't sound like you do), I'd recommend staying with the Bilsteins.
They are an excellent unit and very affordable.Larry
code5coupe
__________
not easily impressed....
If you've got 80K miles on the clock, they've got to be worn. Maybe not to the point where they need an immediate change, but they must at least be somewhat worn. If you like the way the car drives and handles, you'll like it even more if/when you change them. Stay with Bilstein if you're happy with the current ride. The only other shock I would personally recommend is Koni, but they are even more $ than Bilstein. They may even be 1 step better than Bilstein.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 18,722
Likes: 708
From: Bergen County, NJ
Stay with Bilstiens, but do not throw the originals away.
With the NCRS judging reaching deep into the C4 category, they may be worth something.
The originals have the 'AC Delco" tag on them, the replacements don't.
With the NCRS judging reaching deep into the C4 category, they may be worth something.
The originals have the 'AC Delco" tag on them, the replacements don't.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,954
Likes: 2
From: Obama=death for America
Very true. If you ever want to get your car judged, you'll need those shocks to get every point possible. If you send them to Bilstein, they'll refurbish them like new.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Wayne NJ
my vette is 12 years old, 80,000 miles, still has the original bilstiens..still rides quite nicely, but my knowledge tells me it's time to change the shocks. Should I stay with bilstiens when I buy new ones? I use the car strickly for pleasure..I don't go into turns at 120mph..and I very rarely push it above 85 on the highway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,033
Likes: 12
Change em. I'd keep the originals if you are **** about original crap but I would put whatever on for a replacement. Unlike the guys with the sensitive rearends I don't notice what brand I run. It's a Vette, they ride like sht compared to a regular car.
Last edited by hippy; Jul 24, 2007 at 09:09 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
At 80K you should also be taking a very hard look at all of your suspension bushings, not just the shocks. The bushings are usually pretty well worn by that time and it is one of those things that just simply must be re-done! (owning and properly maintaining a Vette ain't cheap) The mount bushings on your 80K Bilsteins are probably also toast if they are indeed original. I put all poly bushings with Edlebrock shocks on my lowered '88 w/Z-52 suspension pkg. It's all more than nice! Nonetheless, the stock type Bilsteins are very fine shocks. That's why they used them in the first place. If your car is stock and you keep it that way you just can't go wrong.