What shocks are worth it.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,710
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From: So Cal
What shocks are worth it.
What is your opinions about shocks. What is the best for the buck. Is Bilstiens really worth it or are KYB's and others just as good for the much less price.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: What shocks are worth it. (morphious)
KYB's are good if you never plan on TURNING or CORNERING in your car.
You need to get the Bilsteins! I tried the KYB's and I can't say enough bad things about them. Then I put on Bilsteins - and I can't say enough good things about them!
You need to get the Bilsteins! I tried the KYB's and I can't say enough bad things about them. Then I put on Bilsteins - and I can't say enough good things about them!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 137
From: Nashville TN area
Re: What shocks are worth it. (morphious)
i second bilsteins.. mid america sells them in any stiffness setup you want for $280 for all 4. it's hard to beat $70/shock on most anything.. i bought the z51 shock setup last time i did mine.
some people will rant and rave about aftermarket setups, like kyb or hal adjustables, but imho i'd stick with bilsteins if you don't have any real reason to adjust shocks and go with koni's if you really want to be able to adjust shocks.
if you have a daily driver that you take to the track once in awhile, i don't suggest getting adjustables for the sole purpose of mushy settings for the street and stiff for track.. you should run your track setup all the time, because daily driving is virtually free seat time and it's a good way to continue becoming familiar with the cars characteristics in all situations.
these are just my opinions, luckily we have 6000+ experts here on the forum to comment ;)
some people will rant and rave about aftermarket setups, like kyb or hal adjustables, but imho i'd stick with bilsteins if you don't have any real reason to adjust shocks and go with koni's if you really want to be able to adjust shocks.
if you have a daily driver that you take to the track once in awhile, i don't suggest getting adjustables for the sole purpose of mushy settings for the street and stiff for track.. you should run your track setup all the time, because daily driving is virtually free seat time and it's a good way to continue becoming familiar with the cars characteristics in all situations.
these are just my opinions, luckily we have 6000+ experts here on the forum to comment ;)
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Re: What shocks are worth it. (morphious)
stupid i know but what does the z51 mean, and mine I don't think has it. is the bilstiens shocks for the z51 capable of fitting mine, and will they fit with no problem if I don't have this. Are they better, are they considered the sport shocks. Thanks Again. :confused:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: What shocks are worth it. (morphious)
Have you considered the HAL/QA1 Motorsports 12 point adjustable shocks? They are externally adjustable for compression and rebuild, allowing a wide range of adjustment from very soft to very stiff. Plus, they are machined from billet aluminum and look pretty trick. I've had them on my car for awhile and they are very nice and easy to adjust.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,863
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: What shocks are worth it. (Monty)
Don't got with the KYBs :U
The bilstiens are the cheapest I'd go, not that I'm calling them cheap.
I've got the HAL's as well, love'em. :D
The bilstiens are the cheapest I'd go, not that I'm calling them cheap.
I've got the HAL's as well, love'em. :D
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Re: What shocks are worth it. (morphious)
Z51 refers to the build code located under the console lid. It is a HD suspension option from the factory. I had Bilsteins on my base suspension (FE 1) and thought that the car was harsh and shook like it had too much caffeine. I spent the bucks on Edelbrock IAS Performer shocks and wow what a wonderfull difference. Yes the Bilsteins corner like a go cart, The Edelbrocks give a poised and refined feeling and still can corner faster and flatter than I care to risk on a country road. The normal ride is not Cadillac soft. (I have a 97 Deville as well). Summit racing has the best price on these. Monroe now advertises a similar design concept but I don't know that they have C4 fitment. I would expect that they would be much cheaper than the Edelbrock..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,162
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles, CA.... I know a guy who has a Lambo with Corvette doors
Re: What shocks are worth it. (morphious)
I have no complaints about the KYB's, but then what do I know? I have only had them on the track at Bragg-Smith once & around SoCal there aren't many good roads with curves to really test them out on besides Mulholland,Stunt Rd.,Latigo,& Piuma. But I think it would be kinda cool some day to have Smash take his car out to a track & I could take mine there too & we can see how much slower my lap times are.
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: What shocks are worth it. (B R)
The KYB's almost killed me on a corner I normally take at 40, on a twisty road
i hit it at 40 with the kyb's and the car DID NOT STICK.
As a test, i went to a local 90' bend:
Maximum speed around the outside corner with KYB and NO slip: 38mph
Maximum speed around the outside corner with Gabs and NO slip: 45mph
Maximum speed around the outside corner with Bils and NO slip: 55mph
The KYB's rode nice, had a lot of "bounce" on bumps compared to the others...
And when the car got to its edge, the KYB's would just "give up" while hte Bils would dig in.
Maybe I was doing something wrong, but everytime the car started getting near its edge with the KYB's.. it couldn't keep the tires planted. I noticed a loss in handling and responsiveness going from 30,000 mile Gabriels to brand new KYB's GAS-AJUSTS.
[Modified by Smash, 5:14 PM 8/21/2001]
i hit it at 40 with the kyb's and the car DID NOT STICK.
As a test, i went to a local 90' bend:
Maximum speed around the outside corner with KYB and NO slip: 38mph
Maximum speed around the outside corner with Gabs and NO slip: 45mph
Maximum speed around the outside corner with Bils and NO slip: 55mph
The KYB's rode nice, had a lot of "bounce" on bumps compared to the others...
And when the car got to its edge, the KYB's would just "give up" while hte Bils would dig in.
Maybe I was doing something wrong, but everytime the car started getting near its edge with the KYB's.. it couldn't keep the tires planted. I noticed a loss in handling and responsiveness going from 30,000 mile Gabriels to brand new KYB's GAS-AJUSTS.
[Modified by Smash, 5:14 PM 8/21/2001]
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 650
Likes: 0
From: Flushing NY
Re: What shocks are worth it. (morphious)
edelbrock ias for me wanted to try them out and nite/day is right compared to the bilsteins ,nothing good on kyb just too harsh and bilsteins are great cause theyre rebuildable :crazy: :smash:
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: What shocks are worth it. (C4396roadster)
You know - that['s weird. Eveyrone says KYB is harsh, but htey rode SILKY SMOOTH for me - and hte bilsteins beat the hell out ofme. The KYB's felt stiffer to the hand-compression test. Hmmn :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 0
From: Maurice, LA
Re: What shocks are worth it.
I have monroes on my car. It did lose some handling, but it rides SOOOOOOO much better. I like em. I still have good handling, but i have an 84. Good luck in your search. :cool: