C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 01:27 AM
  #1  
ldmuse52@comcast.net's Avatar
ldmuse52@comcast.net
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default Shocks

What brand of shocks do you recommend for my 95 corvette coupes. Or would you recommend struts.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 09:48 AM
  #2  
QCVette's Avatar
QCVette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Default

First post. Welcome to the forum. We also like to see pictures, so show us your '95.

Our cars have shocks not struts.

You will probably get several opinions, but mine is that the Bilstein shocks are the best although they are more expensive. There are less expensive options too and frequently I see posts that people like their KYB shocks for a softer/smoother ride.

Good luck with your choice.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 10:13 AM
  #3  
Atomic6's Avatar
Atomic6
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 609
Likes: 239
From: Franklin NC
Default

^^ My Z51 package on my '96 came with the Bilstein shocks so I imagine Chevrolet thought they were rather decent. I like the way my car rides and handles.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 10:43 AM
  #4  
FASTAZU's Avatar
FASTAZU
Race Director
20 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 11,610
Likes: 1,053
From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '16
Default

Welcome

What options did your car come with as far as suspension? You can find this info. located in the rear storage compartment. The numbers can be decoded here I would put the Bilstein shocks on as I believe that is the original shock.

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...95/95prod.html
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 11:28 AM
  #5  
MRPVette's Avatar
MRPVette
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 89
From: Kingwood Texas
Default

Bilstein
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 12:20 PM
  #6  
Klondike's Avatar
Klondike
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,146
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Default

WELCOME!
Like said above, there is a sticker under the lid of your little storage compartment behind the passenger seat. These number and letter codes tell things like, what kind of wheels, brakes, seats, interior color and lots of other things about what is on your car. The code definitions are here and there are plenty of people that will help you find out what you need to know. Don't hesitate to ask any questions; you've come to the right place!
My car has the Z51 suspension option, so it has Bilstein shocks on it. There were other spring rate and shock options, so you would probably want to match the ride that was original for that car.
Join a local Corvette club. You'll find are plenty of helpful (new friends with lifts) that will help you work on your car too.
Putting new shocks on isn't a really difficult job and it will give you a chance to see what's under your car and how things work.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 01:01 PM
  #7  
rfn026's Avatar
rfn026
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 275
From: Naples FL
Default

I'm a huge Bilstein fan. You do need to match them to your suspension package though.



One the other hand why do you think you need new shocks?

Richard Newton
Shocking Information
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2016 | 06:32 PM
  #8  
FWC's Avatar
FWC
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,707
Likes: 173
From: Chatham NY
St. Jude Donor '13, '15-'16,'18 thru '25
Default

When I bought my 96 I found the front spring was broken and had to replace it, so while it was apart I decided I may as well replace all 4 shocks. I asked both here and Corvette America, it was suggested to use the Z51 shocks ( even thought mine wasn't.) I am very happy with the result, having driven a number of 94-5and 6's I can say there is no "float" in the ride I found in those. Do the Z51's make up for softer rides Chevy gave the later vettes , I don't know for sure, but it feels better to me.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Shocks

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:56 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE