shocks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 192
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From: Waynesville North Carolina
shocks
I had my vette out at the track a few weeks ago, everything went well, nothing broke
. I noticed about 145mph my vette tends to float up and down 
(road was smooth). guess its probably time to replace the shocks, I want to keep everything oem, but I also want whats best for the vette. any advise on if the Bilsteins are the best way to go, or is there anything better in the same price range. thanks.
1985 L98. no mods
also, just got done with the Heater core replacement, thanks to all the forum input, made it very easy, fast method only took about 4 hrs
. I noticed about 145mph my vette tends to float up and down (road was smooth). guess its probably time to replace the shocks, I want to keep everything oem, but I also want whats best for the vette. any advise on if the Bilsteins are the best way to go, or is there anything better in the same price range. thanks.1985 L98. no mods
also, just got done with the Heater core replacement, thanks to all the forum input, made it very easy, fast method only took about 4 hrs
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
In Bilsteins price range, there is nothing that even comes close to their performance. If you want to add about $50/corner, you can step up to adjustables such as Koni or QA-1.
I originally replaced the Bilsteins (@ 60K miles) with new Edelbrock IAS units. They were as bad as the old Bilsteins. I put four Koni's on it and have been very pleased with their performance.
I will say this for the Edelbrocks: they look very trick, with their upside down mounting, urethane bushings, and rubber gaiters. ( I had no problem selling them to a forum member, who put them on his wife's C4 and she loves their boulevard ride.) The Koni's on the other hand, look like they were made for a road grader; very "industrial". But they work....
Larry
_________
not easily impressed....
I originally replaced the Bilsteins (@ 60K miles) with new Edelbrock IAS units. They were as bad as the old Bilsteins. I put four Koni's on it and have been very pleased with their performance.
I will say this for the Edelbrocks: they look very trick, with their upside down mounting, urethane bushings, and rubber gaiters. ( I had no problem selling them to a forum member, who put them on his wife's C4 and she loves their boulevard ride.) The Koni's on the other hand, look like they were made for a road grader; very "industrial". But they work....
Larry
_________
not easily impressed....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville North Carolina
Thank you Larry, i might take your advise, (gotta spend my income tax on something
). I do not do much hot rodding around here, but I do enjoy hitting the gas going through the sharp mountain curves.
I appreciate your opinion.
thanks
Mike
). I do not do much hot rodding around here, but I do enjoy hitting the gas going through the sharp mountain curves. I appreciate your opinion.
thanks
Mike
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville North Carolina
just checked the price at ecklers.
(KONI's)$264 a pair, ouch do you know of anywhere else that a little more reasonable, or is that about it. Dam that cost more than my BFG's
. I guess though, being able to adjust them, will make it worth it.
(KONI's)$264 a pair, ouch do you know of anywhere else that a little more reasonable, or is that about it. Dam that cost more than my BFG's. I guess though, being able to adjust them, will make it worth it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I had my vette out at the track a few weeks ago, everything went well, nothing broke. I noticed about 145mph my vette tends to float up and down (road was smooth). guess its probably time to replace the shocks, I want to keep everything oem, but I also want whats best for the vette. any advise on if the Bilsteins are the best way to go, or is there anything better in the same price range. thanks.
1985 L98. no mods
also, just got done with the Heater core replacement, thanks to all the forum input, made it very easy, fast method only took about 4 hrs
. I noticed about 145mph my vette tends to float up and down (road was smooth). guess its probably time to replace the shocks, I want to keep everything oem, but I also want whats best for the vette. any advise on if the Bilsteins are the best way to go, or is there anything better in the same price range. thanks.1985 L98. no mods
also, just got done with the Heater core replacement, thanks to all the forum input, made it very easy, fast method only took about 4 hrs
Call Bilstein. Here is their contact info. http://www.bilstein.com/contact.php?...9b7b60afae3387
I took the original shocks off the car and mailed them Bilstein. They re-valved the shocks and made them a little stiffer than stock. If I remember correctly they call it "weekend autocross" re-valve.
I had the same problem you are talking about. On the expressway the car would bounce around a lot going accros an overpass. The weekend autocross re-valve was exactly what the car needed. It made a hughe improvment and now behaves very well. It's a firmer ride than stock but not too crazy to where it's uncomfortable. If you want to race the car they will re-valve them however you want.
At the time it cost about $50 per shock which makes it a real bargain. Some guys like the aftermarket shocks but I like the Bilsteins. "You know the Germans always make good stuff".
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville North Carolina
Thanks for the help guys,
I decided to go against Bilstein even though i wanted to keep er stock. I recieved my 2 front (red)Koni's today, the backs are on back order. I think I will try the fronts on the 3 setting and the backs on 2 setting. I will post the results after I recieve and install the back shocks, .
If anyone has any setting recomondations, im all ears
, I drive mountain roads, and I drive em hard. 
I will use the info you gave 94Octane to get the old Bilsteins revalved. I know about them Germans, My 66 Karmanghia parks right next to the vette in the garage. the strange thing is, the Vette gets more mpg.
Last edited by carolinamountains; Jan 29, 2009 at 12:48 AM.
