Hi, I'm at the 105k on my 95 coupe and I think is time to replace the shocks. What do you guys recommend...to replace the front ones only or front and back? How do I determine that or what is usually recommended?? Thanks.

 

I would say that at 105k you need to replace all 4, you will notice a big difference in you car, as for what kind it depends on how much $$$ you want to spend. KYB are in my choice for best bang for your $$$. :flag





[Modified by bigbozman, 12:24 PM 1/2/2004]

 

With my telepathic abilities, I have determined that you drive a lot on twisty roads that aren't exactly in perfect conditions :jester

Avoid the lower priced tuned for Kansas shocks and go with Bilstein or some other premium performance shock.

Whether you should go with the standard valving or a performance setup remains to be answered.

My guess, is that if you haven't already replaced the factory shocks is that the standard Bilsteins would be right for you. They are also probably the best compromise for the beauitiful but less than perfectly paved twisties you are surrounded with.

 

Spend a little bit more and get the HAL QA1 12-way adjustables. You will not regret it.

:thumbs:

 

I've added just about any and every aftermarket part manufactured on my Vette. But hands down, the best part had to be the Edelbrock shocks.... This is a heck of a statment since I also have an ATI blower!!!! These shocks are worth every penny! :cheers:
http://WWW.ANGELFIRE.COM/THEFORCE/CORVETTE

 

:iagree:

EXCEPT!!! KYB's, NOT! Spend your money wisely..... :thumbs:

:cheers:

 

I will not contest that hi-end shocks are great ---if you need that level of control. However if you are looking for a "cut above" shock that will serve you well in normal street/highway driving I don't think you can beat KYB's. If you race then Bilsteins,Edelbrock or any of the other hi-end shocks are the way to go.

 

I'm very happy with the KYBs that I bought at tirerack.com. I'vd had them for a couple of months now and couldn't be happier, they perform very well.

 

:iagree: Best money I have spent on the car so far.

 

Puttin' KYB's On my baby would be unthinkable. :eek:

 

I've had Bilsteins and Edelbrock.
If I were you, I'd go with four Bilsteins.

Larry
code5coupe
:seeya

 

Replacing all 4 with any brand will be an improvement I'm sure.

 

Larry, what differences did you notice between Edlebrock and Bilstein?

Dick

 

Has anyone tried the ones from TPIS, their "custom-valved super shocks." They're only 179.00 for all four vs. a piece like some shocks.

 

I replaced mine with Bilsteins with Bilsteins. What I learned afterwards was Bilstein will rebuild the shocks for almost 1/2 the cost of a new one. Whatever you do, DON'T THROW the old ones out! :mad

 

No, they will rebuild the old ones for over 2/3 the cost of new.
MAD will sell me a set for my car for $300.
Bilstein (just up the road from me) charges $54 each, providing the rod is still good. Add $10 each if the rod is replaced.
Yes, you will save a few bucks, but for you guys who have to pay shipping to/from Bilstein, it ain't such a screamin' deal.


Dick, basically, the Edelbrock's velocity-sensitive valve seems to be far too sensitive. The first time I drove it with the new Edelbrocks (the stock Bilsteins had 65k miles and I'm really picky about shocks) all I could think was "This just feels weird." I can't explain HOW it felt, just that I didn't like it. At all.
Now that I have several thousand miles on them, I CAN tell you this; hit a series of stutter-bumps and it feels like there are NO dampers on the car whatsoever....like the suspension is "flopping" around like mad. I notice no improvement over the well-used Bilsteins in any condition. I will have the old shocks rebuilt and put them back on. The Edelbrocks do look trick...the red compliments my car's color and the rubber boots look very "finished". I just wish they worked better. For the money, they should.

Larry
code5coupe
:seeya


[Modified by rocco16, 2:55 AM 1/6/2004]

 

I went through the same thing you are when I needed new shocks..
I finally replaced my Bilsteins[kept them just in case] with KYBs..
A very noted improvement for my 87. I only wanted a smooth ride and local performance.. I am very satisfied..I think I paid approx. $35 or $40. each from a wholesaler..
Good luck with your choice..

 

[QUOTE]
Dick, basically, the Edelbrock's velocity-sensitive valve seems to be far too sensitive. The first time I drove it with the new Edelbrocks (the stock Bilsteins had 65k miles and I'm really picky about shocks) all I could think was "This just feels weird." I can't explain HOW it felt, just that I didn't like it. At all.
Now that I have several thousand miles on them, I CAN tell you this; hit a series of stutter-bumps and it feels like there are NO dampers on the car whatsoever....like the suspension is "flopping" around like mad. I notice no improvement over the well-used Bilsteins in any condition. I will have the old shocks rebuilt and put them back on. The Edelbrocks do look trick...the red compliments my car's color and the rubber boots look very "finished". I just wish they worked better. For the money, they should.

Larry
QUOTE]

Suspicions confirmed. And thanks for the comment on Bilstein rebuilds vs buying new at a discount price. I'll buy a set of new Bilsteins and have a set of reasonable used ines left over for whatever.

Dick

 

Don't want to sound like a expert here cause I'm not. The point I'd like to make is that each shock mfgr has different valving for their product. And each driver has different requirements. The C4 comes with 4 different rear spring rates and 10 different front springs rates. This info is available from the chart from ZR1.net http://www.zr1.net/ZR1_suspension.html Considering that the shock is designed to dampen the spring, how can just one shock from any of the mfgr's be the best fit for all of these different spring rates? That is to say look at the shock listing for the Corvette in any of the mfgrs catalogs. You will find one listing that covers the large part, if not all of the C4 years. And there is no consideration for the FE1 or Z51-2 packages.

Now an adjustable shock will give you the ability to experiment with rebound settings and help fine tune for driving conditions. But finding one setting for all conditions is not that easy. My Koni Sports are set at the bottom plus one turn. This is a great setting for general daily speeds of 35-65mph. If the need comes to kick it up above 70, this shock setting is too soft and the car starts to float on the springs. When I crank on another 1/2 turn, the 70-95 mph speeds are most comfortable and the car feels more in contact to the road when the surface gets wavy. The lower speeds are a bit rough with this setting as the CD player will start skipping on the bumps. These Konis have over 120K mi on them and as long as they hold oil and air I just keep compensating for wear by adding 1 or 2 1/6th turns to tighten it back up.

Some of the cheaper brands are good all around shocks that provide adequate damping for general driving. An adjustable shock will give you the ability to compensate for your personal needs. If all your looking for is a good all around ride, go with what you can afford. Wanna go fast and have better control, buy the better or best. Like I said, spend your money wisely.

:cheers: JRC

 

I finally replaced my factory shocks at 150,000 miles with KYB's all the way around. I can't speak about more expensive brands, but they did make a HUGE difference on my Vette. I found my KYB's on eBay from someone who had bought the shocks and then sold their Vette. Got them for a steal...all 4 for $35.00 brand new. At that price, I couldn't beat it and figured it would be worth checking out. I used KYB's on my 92 Rustang GT I had before the Vette and liked them a lot on it. Are there better shocks than KYB, yes. But the main question would be how do you drive the car? Do you race it? Are you going to push the limits where you need to spend additional money to get better shocks than KYB's? Good luck! :cheers: