Callaway coilover shock replacement
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Callaway coilover shock replacement
I have had ongoing headaches with the Callaway/Bilstien coilovers;
The last time, the 'rebuild' that Bilstien did ($650.+) lasted less than 1K miles before breaking another rear shock rod...& they are basically stock type shocks, with a coilover conversion pressed on...VERY spindly.
Looking for recommendations on coilover shocks;
(still have the Hyperpro spings in good shape, so need only the shocks...)
I had asked before,
(not sure if it was on this forum or not...)
but have lost the links that were posted, sorry!
Thanx in advance for any & all help/tips with this!
John
The last time, the 'rebuild' that Bilstien did ($650.+) lasted less than 1K miles before breaking another rear shock rod...& they are basically stock type shocks, with a coilover conversion pressed on...VERY spindly.
Looking for recommendations on coilover shocks;
(still have the Hyperpro spings in good shape, so need only the shocks...)
I had asked before,
(not sure if it was on this forum or not...)
but have lost the links that were posted, sorry!
Thanx in advance for any & all help/tips with this!
John
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 6,125
Likes: 739
From: Callaway Cars - Old Lyme, Connecticut
Have you contacted Callaway? 
I know of Callaways w/ coilovers w/ over 65k miles on their original coilovers, no issues.
There may be an issue with the car or installation vs. the product. Just saying...
www.callawaycars.com
I know of Callaways w/ coilovers w/ over 65k miles on their original coilovers, no issues.
There may be an issue with the car or installation vs. the product. Just saying...
www.callawaycars.com
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Have you contacted Callaway?
That's where I went 1st, when I had the original break...
They had very little to offer in the way of any advice,
& simply directed me to Bilstein.
I know of Callaways w/ coilovers w/ over 65k miles on their original coilovers, no issues.
This car had no issues thru the 1st 40K;
(I'm guessing it was probably not pushed very hard by the original owner...)
I DO push it hard, & make no excuses for that...
It's a tool, & I EXPECT to be able to USE that tool, not just sit at some show or cruise-in, & TALK about what I THINK the car is capable of...
There may be an issue with the car or installation vs. the product. Just saying...
OK,...& this is what I'm saying...
The shocks were installed originally (from new) at Callaway.
They were removed, & re-installed, by Mike from Outten Chevrolet, who is the most highly recommended Corvette tech I have found in the Lehigh Valley area; Allentown/Easton Area Corvette clubs, Father Larrys' online, etc., etc...
(At the time, & in subsequent converstions, Mike has commented on how spindly & weak he thought this setup was as well...)
I ordered a set of billet AL adjustable shocks,
(designed as coilovers in the 1st place)
with swivel bushings on the top ends, to prevent any binding,
& better quality bushings on both ends,
(the new poly bushings sent from Bilstien are completely CRUSHED-lower side of the top mount-ON ALL 4 SHOCKS, in less than 1K miles..) & the total bill, for NEW shocks,
(which are completely rebuildable for anyone with hand tools- no need to ship them back)
cost less than $200. more than Bilstien charged for just a 'rebuild'...
& WAY less than Callaway wanted for another set...
($4K+ is what I remember...)
& these shocks put them to shame...
Wish I could remember the name;They used to be Carerra...
They were recommended by an SCCA car builder/crew chief I have known for years, & I trust his judgement.
(BTW, he also looked carefully/closely at the Callaway/Bilstien 'coilovers', & was very unimpressed...)
OK, so they're not 'original'...
Sooo,...I will put them in a box, with the original Bose sound sytem, which, BTW, worked just about as well...lol
So anyone who owns the car after I do, will have his choice...
'Original'...or something BETTER.
MY choice is CLEAR.
www.callawaycars.com
That's where I went 1st, when I had the original break...
They had very little to offer in the way of any advice,
& simply directed me to Bilstein.
I know of Callaways w/ coilovers w/ over 65k miles on their original coilovers, no issues.
This car had no issues thru the 1st 40K;
(I'm guessing it was probably not pushed very hard by the original owner...)
I DO push it hard, & make no excuses for that...
It's a tool, & I EXPECT to be able to USE that tool, not just sit at some show or cruise-in, & TALK about what I THINK the car is capable of...
There may be an issue with the car or installation vs. the product. Just saying...
OK,...& this is what I'm saying...
The shocks were installed originally (from new) at Callaway.
They were removed, & re-installed, by Mike from Outten Chevrolet, who is the most highly recommended Corvette tech I have found in the Lehigh Valley area; Allentown/Easton Area Corvette clubs, Father Larrys' online, etc., etc...
(At the time, & in subsequent converstions, Mike has commented on how spindly & weak he thought this setup was as well...)
I ordered a set of billet AL adjustable shocks,
(designed as coilovers in the 1st place)
with swivel bushings on the top ends, to prevent any binding,
& better quality bushings on both ends,
(the new poly bushings sent from Bilstien are completely CRUSHED-lower side of the top mount-ON ALL 4 SHOCKS, in less than 1K miles..) & the total bill, for NEW shocks,
(which are completely rebuildable for anyone with hand tools- no need to ship them back)
cost less than $200. more than Bilstien charged for just a 'rebuild'...
& WAY less than Callaway wanted for another set...
($4K+ is what I remember...)
& these shocks put them to shame...
Wish I could remember the name;They used to be Carerra...
They were recommended by an SCCA car builder/crew chief I have known for years, & I trust his judgement.
(BTW, he also looked carefully/closely at the Callaway/Bilstien 'coilovers', & was very unimpressed...)
OK, so they're not 'original'...
Sooo,...I will put them in a box, with the original Bose sound sytem, which, BTW, worked just about as well...lol
So anyone who owns the car after I do, will have his choice...
'Original'...or something BETTER.
MY choice is CLEAR.
www.callawaycars.com
Sorry, not enough money here to go that route...
(...& wouldn't waste it, even if I did, Sorry...)
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Afco Racing is the shock company I decided on;
Their customer service & tech support were both friendly AND helpful...
(hmmm...)
They are supposed to be the company that bought Carerra...???
Will post thoughts & comments when they have been installed.
Their customer service & tech support were both friendly AND helpful...
(hmmm...)
They are supposed to be the company that bought Carerra...???
Will post thoughts & comments when they have been installed.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I have mine for about a year.I've seen that set up and I got nothing positive to say about it. They look weak.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
I am not really that familiar with Callaway Corvettes 1st hand.
Have not ever owned or worked on one.
Its an old racing shock company and virtually forgotten,
CARRERA shocks. Still sold through Speed Way Motors.
They usually have a steel shock body..........but make aluminum bodies too.
People want aluminum bodies to save weight and have the Cool Anodized look.
But the Old Chrome Plated Carrera shocks were just awesome if you installed them on a C3 or C4 Corvette.
Used on the 1988 and 1989 Corvette Challange race series cars I have read.
A friend had the Adjustable Chrome Carrera shocks all around on a C3.
Set to full soft. Rode and handled Beautifully.
Don't have any idea if they have a ready to bolt on coil over shock for you.
But I also understand that Carrera will build any shock and dimensions to your specs you want.
Maybe contact them too for what you are after.
BR
Have not ever owned or worked on one.
Its an old racing shock company and virtually forgotten,
CARRERA shocks. Still sold through Speed Way Motors.
They usually have a steel shock body..........but make aluminum bodies too.
People want aluminum bodies to save weight and have the Cool Anodized look.
But the Old Chrome Plated Carrera shocks were just awesome if you installed them on a C3 or C4 Corvette.
Used on the 1988 and 1989 Corvette Challange race series cars I have read.
A friend had the Adjustable Chrome Carrera shocks all around on a C3.
Set to full soft. Rode and handled Beautifully.
Don't have any idea if they have a ready to bolt on coil over shock for you.
But I also understand that Carrera will build any shock and dimensions to your specs you want.
Maybe contact them too for what you are after.
BR
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I am not really that familiar with Callaway Corvettes 1st hand.
Have not ever owned or worked on one.
Its an old racing shock company and virtually forgotten,
CARRERA shocks. Still sold through Speed Way Motors.
They usually have a steel shock body..........but make aluminum bodies too.
People want aluminum bodies to save weight and have the Cool Anodized look.
But the Old Chrome Plated Carrera shocks were just awesome if you installed them on a C3 or C4 Corvette.
Used on the 1988 and 1989 Corvette Challange race series cars I have read.
A friend had the Adjustable Chrome Carrera shocks all around on a C3.
Set to full soft. Rode and handled Beautifully.
Don't have any idea if they have a ready to bolt on coil over shock for you.
But I also understand that Carrera will build any shock and dimensions to your specs you want.
Maybe contact them too for what you are after.
BR
Have not ever owned or worked on one.
Its an old racing shock company and virtually forgotten,
CARRERA shocks. Still sold through Speed Way Motors.
They usually have a steel shock body..........but make aluminum bodies too.
People want aluminum bodies to save weight and have the Cool Anodized look.
But the Old Chrome Plated Carrera shocks were just awesome if you installed them on a C3 or C4 Corvette.
Used on the 1988 and 1989 Corvette Challange race series cars I have read.
A friend had the Adjustable Chrome Carrera shocks all around on a C3.
Set to full soft. Rode and handled Beautifully.
Don't have any idea if they have a ready to bolt on coil over shock for you.
But I also understand that Carrera will build any shock and dimensions to your specs you want.
Maybe contact them too for what you are after.
BR
(...as has been discussed earlier, more than once, in these posts...???
)& thus are NOT an option for NEW shocks.
I have found the company that has been reputed to have bought them out,
& have ordered from them.
Will post results when they become available.
Until then, not much more to say...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,765
Likes: 5
They are no longer in business,
(...as has been discussed earlier, more than once, in these posts...???)
& thus are NOT an option for NEW shocks.
I have found the company that has been reputed to have bought them out,
& have ordered from them.
Will post results when they become available.
Until then, not much more to say...
(...as has been discussed earlier, more than once, in these posts...???
)& thus are NOT an option for NEW shocks.
I have found the company that has been reputed to have bought them out,
& have ordered from them.
Will post results when they become available.
Until then, not much more to say...
Another old traditional American Aftermarket Performance company gone by the wayside in this recession.
Like Crane Cams.
BR
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 6,125
Likes: 739
From: Callaway Cars - Old Lyme, Connecticut
