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Jul 20, 2013 | 05:08 PM

motor city dave

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

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St. Jude Donor '16

Shocks

I installed KYB shocks on the vette today. It took a couple hours and 7 beers........I bought them about a year ago.......

Jul 20, 2013 | 05:15 PM

rocco16

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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS

I would think fresh beers would taste a whole lot better.

Jul 20, 2013 | 06:38 PM

Geardo

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From: Carencro LA

I did the same, the fronts were very easy, the rear shocks needed a little more effort.

Jul 20, 2013 | 07:05 PM

JackDidley

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From: Database Error Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocco16

I would think fresh beers would taste a whole lot better.

Year old beer.

Jul 20, 2013 | 08:42 PM

MotorCity_87_C4

Pro

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 509

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From: Livonia Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by motor city dave

I installed KYB shocks on the vette today. It took a couple hours and 7 beers........I bought them about a year ago.......

How are the KYB's on the crappy roads in SE michigan? I have Bilsteins and the ride is harsh but I can take corners very fast.

Jul 21, 2013 | 12:06 AM

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MotorCity_87_C4

I have Bilsteins and the ride is harsh but I can take corners very fast.

Without spilling your beer?

Jul 21, 2013 | 07:59 AM

Polo Vert

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Joined: Mar 2013

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From: Huntington WV

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREGGPENN

Without spilling your beer?

That would be alcohol abuse!!

Jul 21, 2013 | 09:45 AM

mbgator

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2011

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From: DeWitt MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polo Vert

That would be alcohol abuse!!

I try to not drink and drive, hate hitting a bump and spilling my drink.

I too am interested in a ride evaluation. I drive an 89 on crappy Michigan roads and am seeking a softer ride. My track days are long past

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Jul 21, 2013 | 10:56 AM

JrRifleCoach

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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.

St. Jude '03 thru '24

Finding a good match of spring tire and shock is daunting. Most people believe that softer shocks will ride smoother. On your Mamas Buick maybe.....

These are sports cars with a suspension that is designed to adhere to the road.

Jul 21, 2013 | 11:42 AM

#10

motor city dave

Thread Starter

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St. Jude Donor '16

I took a cruise this morning after the hangover ran its course.....I couldn't be happier with the ride. The stock shocks were wore out or just old. 95 coupe with 66,000.

Jul 21, 2013 | 11:57 AM

#11

H P Bushrod

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From: Maryville Tn

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Geardo

I did the same, the fronts were very easy, the rear shocks needed a little more effort.

Just replaced the the shocks on my '93. They definitely needed to be replaced (no-they weren't originals).

Jul 21, 2013 | 05:49 PM

#12

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by motor city dave

I took a cruise this morning after the hangover ran its course.....I couldn't be happier with the ride. The stock shocks were wore out or just old. 95 coupe with 66,000.

I guess I'll be really impressed once I install new shocks on my 89 with 68k. I think the rears are original!

They show up tomorrow.

Jul 21, 2013 | 06:19 PM

#13

motor city dave

Thread Starter

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St. Jude Donor '16

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREGGPENN

I guess I'll be really impressed once I install new shocks on my 89 with 68k. I think the rears are original!

They show up tomorrow.

What brand did you get?....let us know what you think. I was really surprised at the difference.

Jul 21, 2013 | 07:31 PM

#14

Firewalker11

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 205

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From: Dayton Ohio

I just purchased KYB's all the way around for my 94 with 98k miles. I think my car has the orignal shocks so I am hoping for a noticeable improvement!

Your post got me off my butt to get this done! So Thanks!

Jul 21, 2013 | 11:50 PM

#15

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by motor city dave

What brand did you get?....let us know what you think. I was really surprised at the difference.

Will do...Bilsteins.

Jul 22, 2013 | 09:45 AM

#16

indianavette

Burning Brakes

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From: Shelbyville IN

Quote:

Originally Posted by GREGGPENN

Will do...Bilsteins.

I'd submit that if you haven't lived with an '84 Z51, y'all don't know what a firm-riding Vette feels like. Spring rates got softer and softer as the C4 era wound down. As did shocks. Having said that, my charts suggest there's no softer spring than what's already on your stock '95. Softer shocks are your best hope. Unless your car gets really vigorous exercise, you don't need a high-dollar, hi-po brand.

Jul 22, 2013 | 10:34 AM

#17

speedycat3

Pro

Joined: Nov 2011

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From: Miami FL

My 93 probably needs new shocks now at 37k miles. I will probably go go with bilsteins for the sake of originality, but I have heard good things about KYB for Vettes. I had KYB's before on a 5.0 Mustang GT where they made for a nice ride too.

Jul 22, 2013 | 11:28 AM

#18

davewhtt

Pro

Joined: Oct 2012

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From: weems va

Thats on my list also. Got the same shocks for my 93 but its been so hot ill wait a little longer. Glad to hear it wasnt to bad a job.

Jul 22, 2013 | 11:33 AM

#19

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by indianavette

Softer shocks are your best hope. Unless your car gets really vigorous exercise, you don't need a high-dollar, hi-po brand.

If you're including Bilsteins in the high-dollar, hi-po brand segment (which seems logical), feedback from this forum shows otherwise. I've seen post-after post from owners indicating regret in purchasing lower-priced options. KYB appears one of the better alternatives. Still, there have been owners complaining after the switch to KYBs (and other shocks) who’ve eventually gone back to Bilsteins. I’ll be honest when I say I’m hoping for miracles after installation of new shocks. I might finally have a rear shock failure but I haven’t been thrilled with my ride for years. I did replace fronts after seeing a leak in the mid-2000’s. I seem to remember improvement though I didn’t do all four. $300 for shocks seemed an unreasonable “Corvette tax” after “re-shocking” every other vehicle I’ve owned for $100. That includes air shocks on a Jeep!

There is real question [in my mind] about the longevity and performance of $300 shocks versus other cars. Some have hyped Bilsteins as being so good they’ll far outlast the competition. That may be true, but I’m hoping this normal bounce test proves flawed on Corvettes. With other vehicles, you can push down on a corner and watch for excessive rebound. I’m [sort of] hoping Corvettes need new shocks well-before the bounce test reveals a flaw.

It does seem many have been surprised by the installation of new shocks – hopefully for the reasons stated above. I will also add the recent installation of a camber brace was impressive. I put one on Saturday and couldn’t be happier. Highway ride is far better/solid. Cowl shake (especially on rough pavement) has been eliminated. I will eventually post that the addition of a camber brace may be the single best bang-for-the-buck improvement for my car. But, I’ll wait until the new shocks are installed before making final observations.

Sure would have been nice to convert to coil-overs though…Didn’t see $1500 in my future though. Even $500 for a brace and shocks seems steep. As such, I certainly appreciate those who’ve given KYB’s a try!