C4 shocks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
C4 shocks
I have a 86 c4 that i put KYB gas shocks on, but it
seems to "bounce around" quite a bit at high speeds.
years ago, i owned a 79 trans am and i put those shocks
on, and the car acted like i changed the sway bars
there was such a difference.
what would be the best combination for my car?
shocks / sway bar ?
Thanks
seems to "bounce around" quite a bit at high speeds.
years ago, i owned a 79 trans am and i put those shocks
on, and the car acted like i changed the sway bars
there was such a difference.
what would be the best combination for my car?
shocks / sway bar ?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
The KYB's for the Corvette are "soft" and are directed towards the casual driver.
IMHO these are the worst shock valving available for the Corvette. Just wrong!
I bought a set for "touring" with Wifey and have the same apprehensions as you described when driving within the spirit of the Vette.
When the money is available I'll try a set of Edelbrocks, Until then the Konis are staying....
IMHO these are the worst shock valving available for the Corvette. Just wrong!
I bought a set for "touring" with Wifey and have the same apprehensions as you described when driving within the spirit of the Vette.
When the money is available I'll try a set of Edelbrocks, Until then the Konis are staying....
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Hialeah Florida
Are they silver or white? The silver ones are softer. Get bilstiens. I made the mistake of buying cheap shocks I got all four for a hundred bucks. Gabriel ultras they lasted three months and are shot. I went with the bistiens for my 94 they are awesome and worth it
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
these kyb's are white, but i remember when the guy put them on for me,
i thought he said "touring". I did not know they made a different performance
shock. every one is talking about bistiens, are they that much better than what i have?
which ones do i get?
i thought he said "touring". I did not know they made a different performance
shock. every one is talking about bistiens, are they that much better than what i have?
which ones do i get?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I had a set of KYB Gas-A-Just shocks (white ones) on a 78 that had the optional Gymkhana suspension (sort of an early Z51 type of suspension) and those shocks worked great.
The white KYB's for the C4 are more of a replacement for the base FE1 suspension so if your intent was to firm up the ride, then they are not really the shock to have for performance driving.
Bilstein made shocks for the C4's and they are available as a base replacement firmness or you can get the Z51-specific shock. I have the Z51 shocks on my 87 and it made a big difference in ride; very firm but they work great for autocross and some track use. Expect to pay something around $65 to $70 per shock but the do make a difference.
You might also want to upgrade the sway bar bushings to a polyurethane material. That will help handling. But if the car has lots of miles and the bushings in the suspension components are original, it may be time to install new bushings. Also check ball joints, rear spring bushings and tie rod ends.
The white KYB's for the C4 are more of a replacement for the base FE1 suspension so if your intent was to firm up the ride, then they are not really the shock to have for performance driving.
Bilstein made shocks for the C4's and they are available as a base replacement firmness or you can get the Z51-specific shock. I have the Z51 shocks on my 87 and it made a big difference in ride; very firm but they work great for autocross and some track use. Expect to pay something around $65 to $70 per shock but the do make a difference.
You might also want to upgrade the sway bar bushings to a polyurethane material. That will help handling. But if the car has lots of miles and the bushings in the suspension components are original, it may be time to install new bushings. Also check ball joints, rear spring bushings and tie rod ends.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area California
Thank you all for the advise ! I'll start researching for
poly swaybar bushings and shocks. I just put kyb"s on
everything i owned with great results, but disappointed
with the results on my c4. should i invest in spherical
rod end joints as well? are they worth it for street driving?
poly swaybar bushings and shocks. I just put kyb"s on
everything i owned with great results, but disappointed
with the results on my c4. should i invest in spherical
rod end joints as well? are they worth it for street driving?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
Spherical ends are no good for the street if you don't keep them clean.
I got some KYB shocks off of a wrecked C4 at the wrecking yard for $5 each. They appeared to be brand new. I watched them unload the car from the roll-off, and looked it over before they set it in it's final resting place.
I installed them, and they seemed to be resisting the car's movements, and did indeed provide a "bouncy" ride, it gave a similar experience that you get when you remove the targa top.
I got some KYB shocks off of a wrecked C4 at the wrecking yard for $5 each. They appeared to be brand new. I watched them unload the car from the roll-off, and looked it over before they set it in it's final resting place.
I installed them, and they seemed to be resisting the car's movements, and did indeed provide a "bouncy" ride, it gave a similar experience that you get when you remove the targa top.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Yes. The Z51 shocks will mount the same way as the base shocks - same exterior dimensions and attachment methods. They will firm up the ride a little compared to base shocks. I have Z51s on my otherwise base '90 Vert and they do well and I like the way it rides and handles on the street.
If you are into autocross or road racing your opinion may differ depending on your driving style.
If you are into autocross or road racing your opinion may differ depending on your driving style.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Www.tpis.com has some good custom valved shocks that are inexpensive and work very well. Look in their catalog under shocks on page 17. The part number for you would be SHK100 for your application. These shocks are great.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Yes. The Z51 shocks will mount the same way as the base shocks - same exterior dimensions and attachment methods. They will firm up the ride a little compared to base shocks. I have Z51s on my otherwise base '90 Vert and they do well and I like the way it rides and handles on the street.......
I had the Z51 Bilsteins's on my '94 with the base suspension. It was a firm shock, but it worked well and I liked it too.
