Ozzstar

'93 base model with 58K miles. I just purchased the car recently and have been wondering about the front shock absorber condition. Seems after I removed the targa top and went for a drive the front end may not be handling the bumps well but that is normal. Even with the top on I'm not sure if I am getting the best performance from the suspension. I removed both front shocks today, very little oil discharge. They both took two hands to compress or one hand if I wanted to struggle a little bit. Both shocks also fully rebounded in a fewsteady seconds after full compression. I don't know if new shocks would be harder to compress and rebound would be faster??

My question is 1) have you REPLACED your shocks with new Bilsteins? 2)what was the MILEAGE and 3) was there any significant IMPROVEMENT in handling and ride?

Thanks for your input in advance.......

JrRifleCoach

Don't look to shocks for curing the flimsy feeling when going topless.
Always replace shocks as a set of four.

gdl2165

I bought my 96 convertible in February of this year with 117,000 miles. The previous owner's records showed all four shocks had been replaced in June 2012 at 109,000 miles. I wasn't happy with the way it rode, the front end was a bit floaty while the back end was very harsh. Mine's the standard suspension too so I had a suspicion the fronts were working as intended but there was something wrong with the rears. After researching on here I decided to go with a set of Z51 Bilsteins. When I pulled the old shocks off I was surprised to find they'd installed a pair of FX3 shocks in the back, I'm guessing they were manually set to the full hard setting. Yes there was a huge improvement in the ride and handling. The Z51 shocks tightened up the floaty feeling in front and give a nicely controlled ride all around without being harsh.

JrRifleCoach

Bandit's C4

Considering the precaution of worn shock/tire wear plus the fact of staggered wheels... Yes - replaced with Bilsteins @ 60,000

greest_lightnin

1. Yes. Replaced all 4 with Bilstein HD's about 6 weeks ago.

2. 54,000 miles, the wife's '92 base model.

3. Before the change, the car wallowed horribly, actually scared me once on the highway. It also had fits with small bumps in turns, think manhole covers...

Happy to report that the new shocks resolved both problems.



Al

Ozzstar

It's nice that you got your car handling the way it should. When going into a corner if there is somewhat of a bump the front end tends to unload and swing out. I didn't know if this was sort of a normal quality in the base vette. I believe the shocks in my car are on there way out. When I can replace them I think I will go with the base Bilsteins. From what I understand the Z51Bilsteins have a more firm ride. Is that what you call a Bilstein "HD", the z51 style?

greest_lightnin

I bought them through Tire Rack. I don't think they're Z shocks, as I think those were listed separately.

You've described the front end issue better than I could have.

Major improvement all around...



Al

Raidmagic

I stuck my finger in it's tailpipe once, it didn't look too shocked.

ghoastrider1

ahh, but did the head lights pop open?
Always a good idea to replace the shocks @ high mileage.

QCVette

I have posted this on a couple of threads, but this is what I found when I called Bilstein and got some info from them about the C4 shocks. I was concerned about the damping rate differences and the lengths since I read that the Z51's are used on lowered cars.


I found some info on the Bilstein HD (non Z51) and SP (Z51) for comparison.

I searched for my '95 Corvette and found length and damping values by part number for these shocks.
**The only length difference between the HD or SP is the compressed length of the front shocks. The Z51 has more travel and can go slightly lower.
**The damping rates are quite different. The Z51 rates are about twice as firm in both jounce and rebound.

For me the choice is easy. I will go with the Z51 shocks on my '95. I liked them on my '94 and was investigating it to see the differences. I like a firmer ride.

HD (B6) Front (non Z51) 24-020534
Length Min/Max 10.18" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 106 Nm/ 76 Nm

SP (B8) Front (Z51) 24-184861
Length Min/Max 9.43" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 228 Nm/ 261 Nm



HD (B6) Rear (non Z51) 24-020541
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 134 Nm/ 114 Nm

SP (B8) Rear (Z51) 24-184878
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 222 Nm/ 222 Nm

Ozzstar

Thanks, that is good information to know. Is the ride with the Z51's really harsh?? I don't expect the Vette to ever be a luxury car ride but I also don't want my teeth to rattle out of my skull when I hit a bump! I use the car primarily for fun, pleasure driving with some back road twisties thrown in, not a daily driver.

Ozzstar

Having mostly foreign cars, 58K miles to me is low mileage. I drive my stuff to the 200K mile mark.

gdl2165

Mine's a convertible so likely some small variations in the ride but I don't find the Z51 shocks to be harsh at all. I personally didn't like the way the standard HD shocks rode, it's as if GM was shooting for a luxury car ride rather than a sports car ride and it definitely had a less controlled feel to it. The Z51 shocks on mine just give it a nicely controlled but still comfortable ride.

JrRifleCoach

Finally! A shock thread that doesn't make me wonder why the posters didn't buy a Buick!

Good info QCVette!

greest_lightnin

Al

QCVette

I had the Z51 Bilsteins on my '94 base suspension car. I thought the ride was firm, but not harsh. I liked it. That car was my daily driver for a 100 mile per day commute, and I never felt like I was being beaten up.

I suppose that everyone's perception may be a little different though. If you have a chance, maybe someone in a local club, or at a show, etc. can give you a ride so you can feel what it is like and if it is right for you.

eatmydst1234

My 93 has the Z07 option, and I loved they way my old Z51 86 rode. I'm thinking of getting rid of the FX3 when I replace my shocks, would the Z51 shocks be what I'm looking for since I already have the stiff springs and bigger roll bars? Or would the HD be better? I'm thinking Z51.

JrRifleCoach

The HD shocks are simply "standard"
Go with the "SP - sport" or Z51

93 ragtop

Quote:

Originally Posted by QCVette

I have posted this on a couple of threads, but this is what I found when I called Bilstein and got some info from them about the C4 shocks. I was concerned about the damping rate differences and the lengths since I read that the Z51's are used on lowered cars.


I found some info on the Bilstein HD (non Z51) and SP (Z51) for comparison.

I searched for my '95 Corvette and found length and damping values by part number for these shocks.
**The only length difference between the HD or SP is the compressed length of the front shocks. The Z51 has more travel and can go slightly lower.
**The damping rates are quite different. The Z51 rates are about twice as firm in both jounce and rebound.

For me the choice is easy. I will go with the Z51 shocks on my '95. I liked them on my '94 and was investigating it to see the differences. I like a firmer ride.

HD (B6) Front (non Z51) 24-020534
Length Min/Max 10.18" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 106 Nm/ 76 Nm

SP (B8) Front (Z51) 24-184861
Length Min/Max 9.43" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 228 Nm/ 261 Nm



HD (B6) Rear (non Z51) 24-020541
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 134 Nm/ 114 Nm

SP (B8) Rear (Z51) 24-184878
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 222 Nm/ 222 Nm

Could you give me the link to where you got that info.? I had heard differently on that, but would like to know for sure, as I need to get shocks as well. Thanks