One driver's take on new shocks
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 557
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
One driver's take on new shocks
As I work my way through my '94 coupe (144xxx miles), doing virtually all the work myself, I finally rolled around to whether to install new shocks and if so, what kind.
My Bilsteins (on a non-FX3 car) looked dirty but not necessarily worn out and a bounce test on all four corners didn't send a clear signal new shocks were in order. On the other hand bumps while cornering caused wheel-hop and the car's reaction to washboard surfaces seemed a pretty clear indicator that the existing shocks no longer met specs.
I read most of the C4 threads on shocks and as my car is a daily driver but I don't autocross or race, KYB's at $142 (including delivery from tirerack.com) versus Bilsteins at $315 (with free delivery from eshocks.com) seemed what I needed.
A long list of projects has taught me those folks who can do virtually anything in less than an hour are either out of my league or fudging but total time for all four shocks was less than four hours (and I installed fronts first and then road tested to see the difference and then the rears and road tested) and it was a feel-good project. Some folks said they installed the fronts without jacking the car or removing the wheel but I opted to take both those steps and it seemed to make it easier. I also was lucky (at least compared to some accounts I read) as none of my mounting bolts was rusted in place or tightened by a gorilla.
But the proof of the pudding is how the car drives and performs after all the new shocks are installed and I would call it night and day. Many of my projects (new U-joints, tested and cleaned injectors, etc, etc) made a significant difference; others (replacing all the belts and hoses, serpentine belt, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, etc, etc) were trying to catch up with overly deferred maintenance. This one makes clear the engineering behind the car. So if you're sitting on the fence with a higher mileage car with old shocks, I think you'll be pleased if you take the plunge.
My Bilsteins (on a non-FX3 car) looked dirty but not necessarily worn out and a bounce test on all four corners didn't send a clear signal new shocks were in order. On the other hand bumps while cornering caused wheel-hop and the car's reaction to washboard surfaces seemed a pretty clear indicator that the existing shocks no longer met specs.
I read most of the C4 threads on shocks and as my car is a daily driver but I don't autocross or race, KYB's at $142 (including delivery from tirerack.com) versus Bilsteins at $315 (with free delivery from eshocks.com) seemed what I needed.
A long list of projects has taught me those folks who can do virtually anything in less than an hour are either out of my league or fudging but total time for all four shocks was less than four hours (and I installed fronts first and then road tested to see the difference and then the rears and road tested) and it was a feel-good project. Some folks said they installed the fronts without jacking the car or removing the wheel but I opted to take both those steps and it seemed to make it easier. I also was lucky (at least compared to some accounts I read) as none of my mounting bolts was rusted in place or tightened by a gorilla.
But the proof of the pudding is how the car drives and performs after all the new shocks are installed and I would call it night and day. Many of my projects (new U-joints, tested and cleaned injectors, etc, etc) made a significant difference; others (replacing all the belts and hoses, serpentine belt, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, etc, etc) were trying to catch up with overly deferred maintenance. This one makes clear the engineering behind the car. So if you're sitting on the fence with a higher mileage car with old shocks, I think you'll be pleased if you take the plunge.
Last edited by AustinJohn; Jul 28, 2008 at 04:57 PM. Reason: Spelling!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 37
If I had to do it all over again, I would install the Billsteins, and not the KYBs. The KYBs are definitely softer and take away a slight bit of cornering ability. . . . but they certainly felt more sure footed over regular street bumps.
As I work my way through my '94 coupe (144xxx miles), doing virtually all the work myself, I finally rolled around to whether to install new shocks and if so, what kind.
My Bilsteins (on a non-FX3 car) looked dirty but not necessarily worn out and a bounce test on all four corners didn't send a clear signal new shocks were in order. On the other hand bumps while cornering caused wheel-hop and the car's reaction to washboard surfaces seemed a pretty clear indicator that the existing shocks no longer met specs.
I read most of the C4 threads on shocks and as my car is a daily driver but I don't autocross or race, KYB's at $142 (including delivery from tirerack.com) versus Bilsteins at $315 (with free delivery from eshocks.com) seemed what I needed.
A long list of projects has taught me those folks who can do virtually anything in less than an hour are either out of my league or fudging but total time for all four shocks was less than four hours (and I installed fronts first and then road tested to see the difference and then the rears and road tested) and it was a feel-good project. Some folks said they installed the fronts without jacking the car or removing the wheel but I opted to take both those steps and it seemed to make it easier. I also was lucky (at least compared to some accounts I read) as none of my mounting bolts was rusted in place or tightened by a gorilla.
But the proof of the pudding is how the car drives and performs after all the new shocks are installed and I would call it night and day. Many of my projects (new U-joints, tested and cleaned injectors, etc, etc) made a significant difference; others (replacing all the belts and hoses, serpentine belt, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, etc, etc) were trying to catch up with overly deferred maintenance. This one makes clear the engineering behind the car. So if you're sitting on the fence with a higher mileage car with old shocks, I think you'll be pleased if you take the plunge.
My Bilsteins (on a non-FX3 car) looked dirty but not necessarily worn out and a bounce test on all four corners didn't send a clear signal new shocks were in order. On the other hand bumps while cornering caused wheel-hop and the car's reaction to washboard surfaces seemed a pretty clear indicator that the existing shocks no longer met specs.
I read most of the C4 threads on shocks and as my car is a daily driver but I don't autocross or race, KYB's at $142 (including delivery from tirerack.com) versus Bilsteins at $315 (with free delivery from eshocks.com) seemed what I needed.
A long list of projects has taught me those folks who can do virtually anything in less than an hour are either out of my league or fudging but total time for all four shocks was less than four hours (and I installed fronts first and then road tested to see the difference and then the rears and road tested) and it was a feel-good project. Some folks said they installed the fronts without jacking the car or removing the wheel but I opted to take both those steps and it seemed to make it easier. I also was lucky (at least compared to some accounts I read) as none of my mounting bolts was rusted in place or tightened by a gorilla.
But the proof of the pudding is how the car drives and performs after all the new shocks are installed and I would call it night and day. Many of my projects (new U-joints, tested and cleaned injectors, etc, etc) made a significant difference; others (replacing all the belts and hoses, serpentine belt, fuel pressure regulator, fuel pump, etc, etc) were trying to catch up with overly deferred maintenance. This one makes clear the engineering behind the car. So if you're sitting on the fence with a higher mileage car with old shocks, I think you'll be pleased if you take the plunge.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 420
Likes: 4
From: Ft Myers Fl
I have KYBs on my 88 and use the car once or twice a week ... About 130 miles of highway/local driving.
I really like the ride. It is softer but it's still a Vette. Maybe there is a difference on the track but I'll never know.
I really like the ride. It is softer but it's still a Vette. Maybe there is a difference on the track but I'll never know.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Here's what I have in my car, TPIS. My stock ones were very worn when I replaced them so I don't have a very good comparison.
http://www.tpis.com/index.php?module...cks+%26+Struts
http://www.tpis.com/index.php?module...cks+%26+Struts
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
shocks
I took out the kyb shocks because the bilsteins rode so much better. I could switch in the KYB shocks and it would jar my teeth on washboard roads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 48
I put in QA1 coilovers and poly bushings to replace my worn Z07 suspension.
I would have to say that every C4 owner should do this. Spring rates are 400LB in the front 250LB in the rear. proma star shocks in the fron, ultra ride in the back. It EASILY rides smoother than any stock Vette I have driven ( and I have driven many ) while still "feeling" like a Vette. I have not driven the magna ride cars yet though. Another added bonus is even with Drag Radials, the car is now VERY stable in the rain.
Feel sorry for any fool who made the mistake of trading in there C4 for a C5 due to a harsh ride. Even my X liked the ride quality and she is SOOOOO freakin picky, hated the Z07 suspension to the point where I couldn't enjoy driving it with her in it, so I got rid of my warn Z07 suspension AND her....PROBLEM SOLVED!!
.
I would have to say that every C4 owner should do this. Spring rates are 400LB in the front 250LB in the rear. proma star shocks in the fron, ultra ride in the back. It EASILY rides smoother than any stock Vette I have driven ( and I have driven many ) while still "feeling" like a Vette. I have not driven the magna ride cars yet though. Another added bonus is even with Drag Radials, the car is now VERY stable in the rain.
Feel sorry for any fool who made the mistake of trading in there C4 for a C5 due to a harsh ride. Even my X liked the ride quality and she is SOOOOO freakin picky, hated the Z07 suspension to the point where I couldn't enjoy driving it with her in it, so I got rid of my warn Z07 suspension AND her....PROBLEM SOLVED!!
.