Bilstein shock info
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 41
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From: Hagerstown Indiana
Bilstein shock info
Just thought I would share my experiences with the 2 shock options available from Bilstein for the 95-96 cars:
Ecklers p/n 49748: The "Z51" shocks. Only get these if your car came with Z51. Even then, think long and hard before you do. These are VERY stiff.
Ecklers p/n 49718: The "base" suspension shocks. Get these if you like to drive your vette comfortably on the road and still maintain good handling.
I just swapped from the Z51 shocks to the base shocks. Now my car rides closer to a normal street car. My seatbelt no longer locks up going over bridges. It is still stiff, buy hey it's a Corvette. My car is a base suspension model.
Ecklers p/n 49748: The "Z51" shocks. Only get these if your car came with Z51. Even then, think long and hard before you do. These are VERY stiff.
Ecklers p/n 49718: The "base" suspension shocks. Get these if you like to drive your vette comfortably on the road and still maintain good handling.
I just swapped from the Z51 shocks to the base shocks. Now my car rides closer to a normal street car. My seatbelt no longer locks up going over bridges. It is still stiff, buy hey it's a Corvette. My car is a base suspension model.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
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I just went with a set of (don't say it!) KYB's on my base model '93. They ride and perform better than I ever could have imagined... And I paid $32 a piece for them! Can we say "bang for the buck"?! I know Bilsteins are probably superior in 10 different ways, but I'm loving these KYB's!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
I just went with a set of (don't say it!) KYB's on my base model '93. They ride and perform better than I ever could have imagined... And I paid $32 a piece for them! Can we say "bang for the buck"?! I know Bilsteins are probably superior in 10 different ways, but I'm loving these KYB's!!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Not sure if "cheap" is a generic terms for all KYB's, but I have the Gas-a-just's... I've used them on a '71 Chevelle, a '69 GMC 1-ton truck, an /04 Grand Cherokee... They all seemed to perform remarkably well with them. So far, I haven't had any that wore out, but I guess that depends on the car, roads, etc... So far so good. If they crap out on me, THEN I'll shell out the cash and go with Bilsteins... or sell the car and by a brand new ZR1... wait, that was a dream...
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 426
Likes: 16
From: Concord CA
I have the so called Z51 or Heavy Duty Bilstein on my base Coupe..maybe I am just used stiff cars. but my 88 had 150k original shocks on them and when I put the Bilsteins on.. the ride was much better and It doesn't brother me that it is stiff. I have autocross it and don't think it was a bad move ! But as it was stated, 2 each there own..
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
The "HD's" and "Z51's" are different valved shocks. Sometimes the Z51's are called "Sport". I would stay with the HD's on your base suspension.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 41
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From: Hagerstown Indiana
My Z51 shocks are for sale. Only 10K miles on them. If anyone is interested, $125 no haggle price for the set.
massiveB, it shows a p/n of 49747 on Ecklers for your '92, so I don't know if my 49748 p/n will fit your car or not.
massiveB, it shows a p/n of 49747 on Ecklers for your '92, so I don't know if my 49748 p/n will fit your car or not.
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
Not sure if "cheap" is a generic terms for all KYB's, but I have the Gas-a-just's... I've used them on a '71 Chevelle, a '69 GMC 1-ton truck, an /04 Grand Cherokee... They all seemed to perform remarkably well with them. So far, I haven't had any that wore out, but I guess that depends on the car, roads, etc... So far so good. If they crap out on me, THEN I'll shell out the cash and go with Bilsteins... or sell the car and by a brand new ZR1... wait, that was a dream...
Drifting
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 2
From: Gaithersburg MD A member since 2007 but then the computer crashed and then the car crash loss of memory X 2
If anyone is looking for a GREAT set of Shocks. Check out Edelbock's.
I had them on all 3 '96 Impala SS's and on my '93 Vette Coupe. Phenomenal ride is all I can say. The dampening and rebound is great and improved the '93 ride well above what the stock bilstein's affered.
The Imp SS's ride was like a lazyboy on steroids. The 383 Strokers didn't hurt either.
I had them on all 3 '96 Impala SS's and on my '93 Vette Coupe. Phenomenal ride is all I can say. The dampening and rebound is great and improved the '93 ride well above what the stock bilstein's affered.
The Imp SS's ride was like a lazyboy on steroids. The 383 Strokers didn't hurt either.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 426
Likes: 16
From: Concord CA
I am using the Edelbrock shock on my Chevelle.. good rebound, but springs are stiff due to them being for setup for a SBC and I had to cut the front 1/2 coil due to the LS1 being 100+ lbs lighter..
But I am also pleased with the Bilstein on my 88 Coupe and my 84 Z28
I have ran the KYB Gas-Adjust on my 71 Nova, it was ok... could have been a bit better on rebound, compression was good. but you get what you pay for.
But I am also pleased with the Bilstein on my 88 Coupe and my 84 Z28
I have ran the KYB Gas-Adjust on my 71 Nova, it was ok... could have been a bit better on rebound, compression was good. but you get what you pay for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have the Z51 Bilstein's on my 94 base suspension car. I like them.
I also have an 85 Z51 with the Bilstein's so I am used to a stiffer ride.
I have had Bilstein's on several other cars and a couple trucks too, and have never had one fail. Some were pretty high miles on them (over 100k) and they still worked fine.
They are my first choice for shocks if not worried about cost.
I also have an 85 Z51 with the Bilstein's so I am used to a stiffer ride.
I have had Bilstein's on several other cars and a couple trucks too, and have never had one fail. Some were pretty high miles on them (over 100k) and they still worked fine.
They are my first choice for shocks if not worried about cost.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 37
From: Athens, GA
I replaced the stock "HD" Bilstein with Sport Bilsteins (Z51) on my base suspension '95 back in 2007, and couldn't be more pleased with their performance in comparison to the non-Z51 shocks.
In my SOTP testing, the car is firmer but not harsher, and the handling is much improved over the originals.
Note that the HD shock is the standard shock for the base suspension, and the sport shock is the standard shock for the Z51 suspension (1996 application - there was no Z51 option in '95).
Steven
In my SOTP testing, the car is firmer but not harsher, and the handling is much improved over the originals.
Note that the HD shock is the standard shock for the base suspension, and the sport shock is the standard shock for the Z51 suspension (1996 application - there was no Z51 option in '95).
Steven
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1
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Hello everyone! New to this forum and Corvettes. We just bought a 1994 convertible with the FE1 suspension. It does have the FX3 Selective Ride and Suspension. The stock Bilsteins are really floaty so I am thinking about replacing them. But I have 2 questions...
- How do I test is my FX3 is still working? Is there a way to check at the connection on the shock itself? (I can tell no difference in the ride when I swap selections)
- If I go up to the Z51 (or R8) shocks, will they work with my FX3?
Thanks! I will be asking a lot of questions, but I promise to search first...
Hobowes
- How do I test is my FX3 is still working? Is there a way to check at the connection on the shock itself? (I can tell no difference in the ride when I swap selections)
- If I go up to the Z51 (or R8) shocks, will they work with my FX3?
Thanks! I will be asking a lot of questions, but I promise to search first...
Hobowes
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 383
From: Northern California
FX3 runs a system self test when the vehicle key is turned on. Along with hearing the fuel pump pressurize, if you're standing close to the shock you can actually hear the rotary actuators spin them the full range of their motion as the FX3 computer commands them to do. It takes about half a second or so, thus pretty quick.
When you turn the key on, you should see the "service ride select" light come on with the other warning lights, and it will go off if the system is working correctly. If the system has a problem during normal use, the light will come on and the system will set an error code in memory that you can check using the ALDL connector test methods mentioned in the factory service manual.
As far as "will they work"? FX3 shocks are FX3 shocks for your year. If they are non-FX3 shocks of any kind, you're basically taking that system out of play and you can make that choice as many people have. Be aware the system will light that warning signal if it doesn't see the right shock rotation test at startup.
When you turn the key on, you should see the "service ride select" light come on with the other warning lights, and it will go off if the system is working correctly. If the system has a problem during normal use, the light will come on and the system will set an error code in memory that you can check using the ALDL connector test methods mentioned in the factory service manual.
As far as "will they work"? FX3 shocks are FX3 shocks for your year. If they are non-FX3 shocks of any kind, you're basically taking that system out of play and you can make that choice as many people have. Be aware the system will light that warning signal if it doesn't see the right shock rotation test at startup.
