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Need shock advice please

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Old May 23, 2005 | 01:49 AM
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Default Need shock advice please

Left front shock is blown to the point where I can see that the tire has rubbed on the wheel well a little. Please recommend good shocks for my '86. I like the idea of adjustable ones but really haven't a clue as to what the really good stuff is.

Thanks for helping me!


Steve
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Old May 23, 2005 | 02:44 AM
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KYB Gas-A-Just from Summit is then best bang for the buck. $21/ea That's what I'm going with until I get the time, money and desire to go have my bilsteins rebuilt, and buy new actuators for the FX3...
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Old May 23, 2005 | 07:47 AM
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I put in the Z51 Bilsteins.

They ride a little rough, but I like them.

Take your time if the bolts wont come out, and work them out.
Spray on a lot of PB blaster if they are tight.

Busted one of the bolts off in the frame when I did mine.
Had to buy a right angled Air drill and drill it out.

Turned into a real sucky job. But I have no patience.
Learning the hard way. Took me 1:45 minutes to get the same bolts off on the opposite side.
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Old May 23, 2005 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by ClarenceT
KYB Gas-A-Just from Summit is then best bang for the buck. $21/ea
I think they have been $29 ea for about the past year, but still an excellent shock.
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Old May 23, 2005 | 08:17 PM
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I changed out my Z52 Bilsteins with KYB's and lost a lot of my squeeks and rattles. Car rides much smoother.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 07:44 AM
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After much internal debate on the same subject, I have opted for the KYB Gas A Just shocks. I replaced my original Bilsteins with Monroe Sensatracs. The car "bounced" too much. I did this on a recommendatioini from a local vette owner because I did not like the extremely stiff ride from the original Bilsteins.

I then changed to some T.P.I.S. shocks that I bought. The are fairly decent, except the left rear shock makes noise when I hit certain bumps. I have taken it off twice and re-tightened the top mounting stud. I now know that it is the outer tube making the noise.

Finally, I just purchased the KYB's to see how they handle. This is based on all of the recommendations I have been seeing here on the forum.

Good Luck,
Dino
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Old May 24, 2005 | 08:00 AM
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I bought Edelbrock's Performer IAS: http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/...ubeshocks.html

They're pricey, but comfy. My Vette is a daily driver and comfort is important.

Expect to pay about $110 ea for the rear and $120 ea for the front. I bought mine from AJ USA because they don't charge for shipping and handling.

Jason

Last edited by Wright*Stuff; May 24, 2005 at 12:06 PM.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 09:51 AM
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If you want to retain that C4 "race car like feel" stick with the Bilsteins.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 09:59 AM
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Depends on the feel you want, if you want handling get the Bilsteins. If yours are shot the ride will actually improve a little, but it'll still be stiff.

The only other I've had direct experience with is the Edlebrock IAS, its much softer, better for a cruiser than for autocrossing. Its still stiff enough for 'spirited' driving though.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 10:16 AM
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Originally Posted by AZC4Guy
Left front shock is blown to the point where I can see that the tire has rubbed on the wheel well a little. Please recommend good shocks for my '86. I like the idea of adjustable ones but really haven't a clue as to what the really good stuff is.


Good shocks for the C4 are KYB's
Better shocks for the C4 are Bilsteins.
Best shocks for the C4 are Koni Sports Adjustable or QA-1.

( I have deliberately omitted Edelbrocks, as I had them and cannot, considering their price, recommend them.)

Larry
code5coupe

Last edited by rocco16; May 24, 2005 at 12:42 PM.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 12:12 PM
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I am currently running Edelbrocks,they are very good but no better than the Billstein z51 shocks.
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Old May 24, 2005 | 05:21 PM
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This is great. I really appreciate all the advice!

This car is not a daily driver. I put about 2500 a year on the car if I'm lucky.

I'm gonna check into the bilsteins and konis.

I'd like adjustable ones. The konis are best?
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Old May 24, 2005 | 06:40 PM
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I've got the QA1 asjustables. They just came out with double adjustables. They rock. You can adjust them on the car w/o removing a thing. Great on the street, the strip, autocross or road course.
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Old May 25, 2005 | 12:18 AM
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Originally Posted by rocco16
Good shocks for the C4 are KYB's
Better shocks for the C4 are Bilsteins.
Best shocks for the C4 are Koni Sports Adjustable or QA-1.
...

I was asking a few questions about shocks recently and this sums up the replies I got.
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Old May 25, 2005 | 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by rocco16
Good shocks for the C4 are KYB's
Better shocks for the C4 are Bilsteins.
Best shocks for the C4 are Koni Sports Adjustable or QA-1.

( I have deliberately omitted Edelbrocks, as I had them and cannot, considering their price, recommend them.)

Larry
code5coupe

what shocks would be goiod to work with the Z51 package?
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Old May 25, 2005 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by crossfire84
what shocks would be goiod to work with the Z51 package?
The Bilsteins came with it, and can be custom valved.
Both the Koni's and the QA1's are adjustable.
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