Rough ride with Bilstien shocks
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
I realize Corvettes are performance cars. I'm not a novice to Corvettes. This is my 3rd Vette in 7 years. Most guys have one in a lifetime. All 3 have ridden like a truck. I don't believe the cars were bought brand new riding like a truck or they would have never sold. I drive my C4 to work each day. My C5 is a car show garage queen.
San Diego s becoming the pot hole capital of the world. The city / county is broke so they don't fix the pot holes. Hitting one of these in my C4 will make your teeth rattle.
A guy who owns a Corvette shop in San Diego told me the ideal setup was heavy sway bars and stock shocks. The sways keep the car from leaning and stock shocks keep the ride half way decent. My '92 looks like pretty beefy sways. The front looked like at least 23mm. I didn't catch the rear but it's probably 21mm. On a C5 that's Z51.
My C5 has C6 ZO6 sways. That car isn't leaning in a curve.
San Diego s becoming the pot hole capital of the world. The city / county is broke so they don't fix the pot holes. Hitting one of these in my C4 will make your teeth rattle.
A guy who owns a Corvette shop in San Diego told me the ideal setup was heavy sway bars and stock shocks. The sways keep the car from leaning and stock shocks keep the ride half way decent. My '92 looks like pretty beefy sways. The front looked like at least 23mm. I didn't catch the rear but it's probably 21mm. On a C5 that's Z51.
My C5 has C6 ZO6 sways. That car isn't leaning in a curve.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
I realize Corvettes are performance cars. I'm not a novice to Corvettes. This is my 3rd Vette in 7 years. Most guys have one in a lifetime. All 3 have ridden like a truck. I don't believe the cars were bought brand new riding like a truck or they would have never sold. I drive my C4 to work each day. My C5 is a car show garage queen.
San Diego s becoming the pot hole capital of the world. The city / county is broke so they don't fix the pot holes. Hitting one of these in my C4 will make your teeth rattle.
A guy who owns a Corvette shop in San Diego told me the ideal setup was heavy sway bars and stock shocks. The sways keep the car from leaning and stock shocks keep the ride half way decent. My '92 looks like pretty beefy sways. The front looked like at least 23mm. I didn't catch the rear but it's probably 21mm. On a C5 that's Z51.
My C5 has C6 ZO6 sways. That car isn't leaning in a curve.
San Diego s becoming the pot hole capital of the world. The city / county is broke so they don't fix the pot holes. Hitting one of these in my C4 will make your teeth rattle.
A guy who owns a Corvette shop in San Diego told me the ideal setup was heavy sway bars and stock shocks. The sways keep the car from leaning and stock shocks keep the ride half way decent. My '92 looks like pretty beefy sways. The front looked like at least 23mm. I didn't catch the rear but it's probably 21mm. On a C5 that's Z51.
My C5 has C6 ZO6 sways. That car isn't leaning in a curve.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
For those who don't want their Corvette to ride like a Corvette you can go to KYB shocks. www.shockwarehouse.com Do not buy Monroe!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 9
From: The Old Dominion
A guy who owns a Corvette shop in San Diego told me the ideal setup was heavy sway bars and stock shocks. The sways keep the car from leaning and stock shocks keep the ride half way decent. My '92 looks like pretty beefy sways. The front looked like at least 23mm. I didn't catch the rear but it's probably 21mm. On a C5 that's Z51.
Unlike the 'vette, though, it has a very stiff chassis. So you hear the bumps clip-clop, but you really don't feel anything. It's still a bit offputting though.
Also, with soft shocks and springs, but stiff anti-roll bars, you would have to worry about using up all the suspension travel over big bumps, dips, etc. A C4 doesn't have a ton of travel, and hitting the bump stops will feel a lot worse than any shocks do.
I don't think you need to defend your Corvette history, though. If you don't like the ride, you should do something about it. You might want to verify that the shocks are not the HD ones, though. It may be they are, and base-ride Bilsteins wouldn't be as objectionable.
Last edited by Aurora40; Jun 29, 2010 at 06:29 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 190
Likes: 4
From: Sonora CA
That being said, I have a 94 Coupe with new Bilstein HD, and they are a little "trucky", especially in large shopping center parking lots
However, once on the freeway, they help me steer around all those potholes at full speed... I love 'em.- WPK
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
I have a 92 base corvette with the KYB's and it rides really nice. Those are the only brand other than bilstein that I would install. You can get all 4 for a little over $100 bucks.
Alot of people on here have them.
Alot of people on here have them.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I have a 92 base corvette with the KYB's and it rides really nice. Those are the only brand other than bilstein that I would install. You can get all 4 for a little over $100 bucks.
I installed a set for long distance traveling as the wife wasn't very proud of my Koni's.
The bounce that the KYB's produced made spirited driving difficult over 60mph.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
For those who don't want their Corvette to ride like a Corvette you can go to KYB shocks. www.shockwarehouse.com Do not buy Monroe!
I understand a Corvette should have a bit firmer ride than a sedan. Shock absorbers do more than just make the driver and passenger feel comfortable. By absorbing shock, shock is NOT transferred to other parts of the car causing damage. Also, providing stability. The Bilsteins I have can actually cause the car to shift / swing sideways on certain kinds of bumps. I don't thing that is adding to stability. I opened this thread to get other opinions and share solutions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
What is a "Corvette" ride? Is a Corvette ride where the whole car shutters when hitting a bump? You can actually see the hood shake? Some bumps make the car feel like its been dropped? I don't think so.
I understand a Corvette should have a bit firmer ride than a sedan. Shock absorbers do more than just make the driver and passenger feel comfortable. By absorbing shock, shock is NOT transferred to other parts of the car causing damage. Also, providing stability. The Bilsteins I have can actually cause the car to shift / swing sideways on certain kinds of bumps. I don't thing that is adding to stability. I opened this thread to get other opinions and share solutions.
I understand a Corvette should have a bit firmer ride than a sedan. Shock absorbers do more than just make the driver and passenger feel comfortable. By absorbing shock, shock is NOT transferred to other parts of the car causing damage. Also, providing stability. The Bilsteins I have can actually cause the car to shift / swing sideways on certain kinds of bumps. I don't thing that is adding to stability. I opened this thread to get other opinions and share solutions.
If you have owned 3 Corvettes you should know how they ride by now. Didn't you test drive the car before you bought it!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
.....
The C4 is worse. It really rides like a truck.
The worst is man-hole covers. Usually in asplhalt and about 1/2 to an inch recessesd.
Man when you hit a man hole cover the the whole car shuuters and sometimes actually shifts.
Both cars have low profile tires with Bilstien shocks. The net result there is no give in the side wall or the shock and wham! the whole car an actually shifts when hitting a small bump or pot holed road.
I just want a smoother ride. Anybody have similar experience.
The C4 is worse. It really rides like a truck.
The worst is man-hole covers. Usually in asplhalt and about 1/2 to an inch recessesd.
Man when you hit a man hole cover the the whole car shuuters and sometimes actually shifts.
Both cars have low profile tires with Bilstien shocks. The net result there is no give in the side wall or the shock and wham! the whole car an actually shifts when hitting a small bump or pot holed road.
I just want a smoother ride. Anybody have similar experience.
You might try switching back to factory spec tires and see if your ride quality is more to your liking.....
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Ramona CA
Why are you jumping on me. I gave you a viable alternative. If you just want to bitch and and whine why don't you go over to the general section. They will give you a big hug and some tears and tell you everything will be OK. Or maybe you could watch Oprah or Dr. Phil and get some really good advice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Thats pretty much how corvettes ride, Like trucks. and the C4's are a lot more "truck" like then the C5's.
Also the roads in Ramona are not exactly the best. My Z06 has just about rattled itself apart driving there.
Also the roads in Ramona are not exactly the best. My Z06 has just about rattled itself apart driving there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
So which are the stiffer Bilsteins: the HD's or the Sports?
I need to change my shocks over from the F45 setup sooner or later and want a performance shock, but the streets in Houston suck and this is a daily driver.
I need to change my shocks over from the F45 setup sooner or later and want a performance shock, but the streets in Houston suck and this is a daily driver.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
The Sports are stiffer, AKA Z51 shocks. The "HD" are better suited to a daily driver.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Whitby Ontario
Shock Issue
I put Edelbrock IAS ( Inertia Active Shocks) shocks on my '91 C4 and I love them . Push it through a corner and they stiffen up , take it easy and they are less harsh.
It'll never deliver a Cadillac ride, but I never wanted that. I like them!
I've driven from Toronto to Key West and back many times and they performed great.
It'll never deliver a Cadillac ride, but I never wanted that. I like them!
I've driven from Toronto to Key West and back many times and they performed great.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
The later cars got softer base springs to help out with the ride.
If you don't have the base springs, you may want to swap them out.
Perhaps find someone that want to stiffer springs and do a swap.
If you don't have the base springs, you may want to swap them out.
Perhaps find someone that want to stiffer springs and do a swap.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 8
From: Houston TX
I put Edelbrock IAS ( Inertia Active Shocks) shocks on my '91 C4 and I love them . Push it through a corner and they stiffen up , take it easy and they are less harsh.
It'll never deliver a Cadillac ride, but I never wanted that. I like them!
I've driven from Toronto to Key West and back many times and they performed great.
It'll never deliver a Cadillac ride, but I never wanted that. I like them!
I've driven from Toronto to Key West and back many times and they performed great.