bilstein shock fitment
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bilstein shock fitment
I have a 94 with base suspension. I plan on latter replaceing the springs with either aftermarket z51 springs or used z51 springs. However I want to replace my shocks before. I want to go with the Bilstein Sport shocks, however bilstein says these only fit the z51 suspension. I cannot figure out while they would not fit. One place said they would fit while bilstein says they would not reccomend it. To me it seems that there is techncially no difference if the components other than spring rates, so they should fit.
Can anyone confirm or despute if they fit or not. I do not want to run the HD shocks if I can run the sports as I am going to run autox.
Can anyone confirm or despute if they fit or not. I do not want to run the HD shocks if I can run the sports as I am going to run autox.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
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Yes, you are right. There is no difference in component fitment. The difference is in spring/shock/swaybar rates only.
I have a '91 with base suspension and fitted Bilstein Sport (ie. Z51) valved shocks. Found them (fronts) to be too soft on rebound to my taste and replaced with Koni Sports. Much happier.
I have a '91 with base suspension and fitted Bilstein Sport (ie. Z51) valved shocks. Found them (fronts) to be too soft on rebound to my taste and replaced with Koni Sports. Much happier.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Argillite KY
The Bilstein shocks for the base suspension are part number 24-020534. I have a 95 Vert and just put Bilsteins all the way around. They're a great shock. BTW, the best price that I've seen is a place called eshocks: Here is the link to the Corvette page http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?M...tein&SubChar=Q They are about 80 bucks each and they have great service. I've used them 4-5 times and have not found better service or prices. Good luck.
Last edited by 1963SS; Nov 7, 2011 at 01:55 PM.
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1963 yes that is the part number for the shocks for the base model, but those are actually Bilstein HD shocks, the bilstein sport shocks are the ones they reccomend for the z51.
Toni, did you replace all four or just the front? How soft were the sports? do you think they might have worked well if you had had the z51 rate springs?
The other nice thing about the sports over the hd is the price, I have a place that has the sports for 299 for all four vs 369 for the HD!!!
Toni, did you replace all four or just the front? How soft were the sports? do you think they might have worked well if you had had the z51 rate springs?
The other nice thing about the sports over the hd is the price, I have a place that has the sports for 299 for all four vs 369 for the HD!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
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Toni, did you replace all four or just the front? How soft were the sports? do you think they might have worked well if you had had the z51 rate springs?
With Koni Sports the problem went away. Also I like the fact that I can adjust the Konis to suit me.
I bought adjustable QA1's to my C3 as Koni Sports are not available for it. Also a good experience. Would consider them alternative for the Konis if I needed a replacement.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Argillite KY
I like the lighter valving because the shock seems to do a better job. In an ideal world with smooth roads everywhere the heavier shocks would be fine but I found that the car would "skitter" almost off the road if there were any bumps at all in the road's surface. I'd rather have a bit more compliant suspension even if it cost me .1G in the turn.
I'd make a bet that on other than smooth roads the softer valving would get around a corner faster in the real world. I've ran Koni, Spax and Bilstein and I prefer the Koni for road racing, the Spax for autocrossing and the Bilsteins on the street.
I'd make a bet that on other than smooth roads the softer valving would get around a corner faster in the real world. I've ran Koni, Spax and Bilstein and I prefer the Koni for road racing, the Spax for autocrossing and the Bilsteins on the street.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
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Well, in my case the Bilstein Sport was not doing its job on highway and hardly the ideal smooth roads. When uneveness was encountered I felt like the front end was floating. Not acceptable.
Note that the Bilstein Sport valving is not supposed to be soft. Its supposed to be Z51 valving.
But, this is a matter of personal taste and preference.
Ps. if tighter than Bilsteins shocks would cause you to "skitter almost off the road if there is any bumps at all" then its not really because of shocks.
Note that the Bilstein Sport valving is not supposed to be soft. Its supposed to be Z51 valving.
But, this is a matter of personal taste and preference.
Ps. if tighter than Bilsteins shocks would cause you to "skitter almost off the road if there is any bumps at all" then its not really because of shocks.
