Front and Rear Shock Recommendations
02-24-2018, 02:40 PM
#21
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U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I replaced mind with Bilstein Shocks, and shopped around for the best price, when I owned C4.
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-24-2018, 03:06 PM
#22
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-24-2018, 04:48 PM
#23
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Do not put a POS shock on the car, go with a reputable brand.
If you want it firm and to feel planted, stick with the Bilsteins. Koni adjustables are also very good for that.
KYBs tend to give a "floatier" feeling, but they are good for a regularly driven car.
Shocks tend to fail at 75K or so, so simply replacing them will help how it feels to drive it.
You can also experiment with tire pressure to see if that helps you, though my experience is that a low pressure didn't.
If you are really intent on softening the ride, you will need to change the rear spring. It is the rear of the car that affects your ride more than the front.
If you want it firm and to feel planted, stick with the Bilsteins. Koni adjustables are also very good for that.
KYBs tend to give a "floatier" feeling, but they are good for a regularly driven car.
Shocks tend to fail at 75K or so, so simply replacing them will help how it feels to drive it.
You can also experiment with tire pressure to see if that helps you, though my experience is that a low pressure didn't.
If you are really intent on softening the ride, you will need to change the rear spring. It is the rear of the car that affects your ride more than the front.
mostly......Changing shocks at 40-50K is IMHO a better suggested use. YYMV
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-24-2018, 04:59 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
Shocks
I have over Thirty-Five years in Auto parts (retired now) Anything but Gabriel's KYB/Bilstein/Koni Would be a better choice. Just my Opinion. Are you looking for a performance shock ?
Last edited by jeffs64; 02-24-2018 at 05:05 PM.
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-25-2018, 03:02 AM
#25
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Anyone considering buying Gabriels for a Corvette has no concept of performance driving.
Just saying
Just saying
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-25-2018, 10:25 AM
#26
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-25-2018, 11:16 AM
#27
Look at shocks as a life time investment for the car. Unless they have a from being defective they will last as long as you have the car.
Don't cost cut over a couple hundred dollars on a life time investment.
I've had Used KYB's, New KYB's, and New z51 Bilstein shocks.
The difference is hard to tell, between the Bilsteins and the New KYB ONLY because the Bilsteins went in at the same time as Comp springs, and Larger sway bars, hubs, and ball joints,etc..
The car just feels so different obviously, but I went from a base vert to almost race suspension.
I think plenty of people are happy with KYB for price / performance and Bilstein for piece of mind and keeping OE replacement.
Don't cost cut over a couple hundred dollars on a life time investment.
I've had Used KYB's, New KYB's, and New z51 Bilstein shocks.
The difference is hard to tell, between the Bilsteins and the New KYB ONLY because the Bilsteins went in at the same time as Comp springs, and Larger sway bars, hubs, and ball joints,etc..
The car just feels so different obviously, but I went from a base vert to almost race suspension.
I think plenty of people are happy with KYB for price / performance and Bilstein for piece of mind and keeping OE replacement.
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-25-2018, 02:00 PM
#28
Team Owner
Anyone dine Ridetech? Never tried it myself.
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-25-2018, 02:59 PM
#29
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St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I can't believe that there is any aftermarket Co that's interested in developing new performance valving for the C4. We might see Bilstein or Koni spend some development $ on existing data. But for the most part any common box store replacement part mfgr is not (IMHO) spending a dime for a new performance product on a 30 year old car. There's too many brands with fitments already on the shelves.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, any new shock that's compared to the old ones they replaced, will be spectacular!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, any new shock that's compared to the old ones they replaced, will be spectacular!!!
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-25-2018, 10:37 PM
#30
Team Owner
I can't believe that there is any aftermarket Co that's interested in developing new performance valving for the C4. We might see Bilstein or Koni spend some development $ on existing data. But for the most part any common box store replacement part mfgr is not (IMHO) spending a dime for a new performance product on a 30 year old car. There's too many brands with fitments already on the shelves.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, any new shock that's compared to the old ones they replaced, will be spectacular!!!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, any new shock that's compared to the old ones they replaced, will be spectacular!!!
Absolutely. Now new quality shocks vs new "budget", aka crap $20 shocks IN THE LONG RUN, that is another question.
Last edited by aklim; 02-25-2018 at 10:39 PM.
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Sonic054 (02-26-2018)
02-27-2018, 04:11 PM
#31
Melting Slicks
If you just want shocks that are better than what you have, I'd recommend KYB. Many on here have purchased them and are satisfied, they are a good economy replacement. But don't expect them to last as long as a Bilstein or other premium brand.
To me, it just depends how you are with finances:
Pay less, get *slightly less build quality/ride quality and more frequent replacement.
Pay more, get better build quality/ride quality and much longer lasting.
To me, it just depends how you are with finances:
Pay less, get *slightly less build quality/ride quality and more frequent replacement.
Pay more, get better build quality/ride quality and much longer lasting.
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Sonic054 (02-27-2018)