Good Afternoon:

A little history, first: When I got my beloved "Ebay Rat" '89 three years ago, it was a FX-3 model with shot shock absorbers (and I do mean SHOT). Not wanting to sell my soul to buy FX-3s or have Bilstein re-do them at almost the same price, I replaced them with what I thought was the Mid America/TPiS Shocks (based on great price and great reviews), which actually started out as Gabriels before re-valving (they came in a Gabriel box, which first got me wondering). I have since learned there was some sort of issue between Mid America and TPiS and the shocks are no longer available from MidAmerica. So, I don't know whether I have TPiS re-valved Gabriels or pure Gabriels---I asked Mid America and they did not reply after several inquires. That's the background, but my question is whether there is anyone who has switched FROM genuine Gabriels to another shock brand and can tell me the difference in ride/handling. "The Rat" is by far the best driving car I have ever had, so I can't really complain about the Gabriels, but I have always wondered what the difference might be if, indeed, I have UN-revalved Gabriels. Again, thanks for any replies!

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

If possible, I'd return the Gabriels as that is not a brand/shock I'd put on my C4...and you ordered TPIS so wtf happened there..? Anyway, In that price range I think you'd be better off w/ a set of KYB's. Most members running them seem to like them alot...esp. for the money. With shocks, you get what you pay for and imo KYB's are the best in that price range. I had a set on mine (and it's even lowered front & rear), and they definitely were better than the "shot" Bilsteins that were on the car, but I now have QA1's and they are incredible...hence the "you get what you pay for".

Jeff

 

Thanks for your reply (incidentally, I have seen your car in other posts; VERY nice what you've done with it)---I got the Gabriels/TPiS' (?)shortly after I got the car three years ago. At the time they were advertised as being "revalved", and the gentleman (Newton?) who wrote a terrific book about C4 upgrades really liked the TPiS' and Mid America's price for what seemed to be the TPiS' (given the similarity in how Mid America and TPiS described them) was best---in fact, I think Corvette Central also sold the same "revalved" ones at the same time. I thought everything was a little odd at the time when I unboxed them from Gabriel boxes, but the car felt so good I only followed up on it with Mid America a bit, and nothing they told me made me think they definately WEREN'T revalved TPiS', but I never felt entirely comfortable, either. I subsequently learned from TPiS that there had been some sort of "split" with Mid America, but no one either at TPiS or Mid America would go into it or provide further info on the shocks. It's hardly a big deal in the scheme of things, but it's left me wondering whether there is a difference between what I bought and TPiS' revalved shocks. So, my question about gabriels to other shocks, generally. Incidentally, I would LOVE a set of the QA1s, but even at Jegs' $140 or so price/each I just can't shake the feeling that almost $600 for shock absorbers is sort of gross----these are the sorts of ridiculous prices the Porsche and Ferrari guys pay that we read about (you know, the $1000 cigarette lighter 'officially approved by..'). It's a personal thing, and I don't begrudge others and might someday get them myself---I used to have Tokico adjustables on my old IROC-Z, and they were terrific, but nowhere near the prices of the QA1s. I put an ad in the "Parts Wanted" section asking that if anyone wants to sell some used ones to call me!! Anyhow, that's the tale!

Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

Go back with a set of Bilstein HO series (standard, not sports) for under $300. Considering how long they last that is your best return on money spent. Also best overall ride for the money.

 

There are some Bilstein FX3 shocks on ebay now .....

 

Thank you very much for letting me know!

/s/ Chris