Opinion on shocks needed.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 8
From: Livonia Michigan
Opinion on shocks needed.
I have an 87 coupe with standard suspension. I installed poly bushings and Bilstein shocks a few years ago. Just drive to work once in a while and for Weekend drives.
I really like the handling but.....the Michigan roads are so full of frost heaves and patched pot holes I need to wear a kidney belt and mouth splint when driving on most of the roads. Do the KYB shocks give a smoother ride or is there another brand that I should move to for a softer ride?
I really like the handling but.....the Michigan roads are so full of frost heaves and patched pot holes I need to wear a kidney belt and mouth splint when driving on most of the roads. Do the KYB shocks give a smoother ride or is there another brand that I should move to for a softer ride?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 580
Likes: 8
From: Clemson SC
My new KYB shocks seem a little smoother riding than my old Bilstein but typical patched pot holes that you don't miss are going to shake you regardless of shocks. The stiff susspension on a C4 is not very forgiving but that is part of what makes it special. When I am cruising, I try to look for the roads that have curves but are SMOOTH.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Spring rates have a bigger affect on ride than shock rates. Here's a chart on spring rates, but be advised, softer springs will also affect the handling of the car. Your poly bushings stiffened up your ride, too.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...usp_chart.html
You might look for a rear spring from a '96. The rear spring has the most noticeable change in the ride, since you're sitting so close to the rear axle. I put a rear spring from an '87 in my '84. That was a major improvement! Sold my nice stiff '84 spring to a road race guy. I'm running Bilstein shocks, but have tried KYB's. Didn't see much difference.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...usp_chart.html
You might look for a rear spring from a '96. The rear spring has the most noticeable change in the ride, since you're sitting so close to the rear axle. I put a rear spring from an '87 in my '84. That was a major improvement! Sold my nice stiff '84 spring to a road race guy. I'm running Bilstein shocks, but have tried KYB's. Didn't see much difference.
Last edited by Hot Rod Roy; Jul 11, 2015 at 03:20 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
Spring rates have a bigger affect on ride than shock rates. Here's a chart on spring rates, but be advised, softer springs will also affect the handling of the car. Your poly bushings stiffened up your ride, too.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...usp_chart.html
You might look for a rear spring from a '96. The rear spring has the most noticeable change in the ride, since you're sitting so close to the rear axle. I put a rear spring from an '87 in my '84. That was a major improvement! Sold my nice stiff '84 spring to a road race guy. I'm running Bilstein shocks, but have tried KYB's. Didn't see much difference.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...usp_chart.html
You might look for a rear spring from a '96. The rear spring has the most noticeable change in the ride, since you're sitting so close to the rear axle. I put a rear spring from an '87 in my '84. That was a major improvement! Sold my nice stiff '84 spring to a road race guy. I'm running Bilstein shocks, but have tried KYB's. Didn't see much difference.
