1985 w/z51
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
1985 w/z51
just want to replace the shocks. this is a 1985 with the z51 package. I guess the obvious first choice would be the bilstein shock absorber,but if by useing another brand of shocks,(ac delco,kyb,ect) I might accomplish just a little smoother ride thats what I am after. its not really a matter of the cost of one brand versa another brand. The car has been in my family since new still has the original bilsteins on it. 42000 miles on the car
Last edited by j/t; Mar 7, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Coopersville MI
I'm gonna be an @$$ but dont drive a sports car if you want soft.
But changing to the standard bilstiens would be good, I've heard KYB's are softer, but some have had marginal longevity out of them.
If your around the Cincinnati area I'd take you for a ride in my 85 that I will now call a Z51 Plus. I have replaced both spring from standard to Z51, I have the Bilstien autcross shocks, and the biggest solid sway bars made for our cars. Handles exceptionaly better, but can ride a bit rough, but I dont mind, its what I wanted/expected. The worst ride I get with my car is on the new concrete highways in Chicago. There is a slight wave to the concrete and my car holds those waves, I almost have to stop at every rest oasis to ****, as using the cinch button to hold me down otherwise i bounce my head of the targa top.
best way to find out want you like... go to local Corvette Clubs, ask those guys what they recommend, see what they have on their cars. Get a ride in a Standard and Z51 with Bilstiens. Those cars will need to have the suspension that is in good working order.
But changing to the standard bilstiens would be good, I've heard KYB's are softer, but some have had marginal longevity out of them.
If your around the Cincinnati area I'd take you for a ride in my 85 that I will now call a Z51 Plus. I have replaced both spring from standard to Z51, I have the Bilstien autcross shocks, and the biggest solid sway bars made for our cars. Handles exceptionaly better, but can ride a bit rough, but I dont mind, its what I wanted/expected. The worst ride I get with my car is on the new concrete highways in Chicago. There is a slight wave to the concrete and my car holds those waves, I almost have to stop at every rest oasis to ****, as using the cinch button to hold me down otherwise i bounce my head of the targa top.
best way to find out want you like... go to local Corvette Clubs, ask those guys what they recommend, see what they have on their cars. Get a ride in a Standard and Z51 with Bilstiens. Those cars will need to have the suspension that is in good working order.
Last edited by ggrassmid; Mar 7, 2011 at 11:02 AM.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
You can get Z51 Bilsteins or standard suspension Bilsteins. If your Z51 shocks are a little too stiff, try the standard Bilsteins. This way you will keep the car pretty much stock and still get a slightly softer ride 
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
don't get me wrong , ain't trying to make a cadillac out of my sweet old vette, but at 26 years old the original transverse springs ain't what they use to be and I ain't any younger either. it still rides very nice on the highway but its a little harsh at low speed
Last edited by j/t; Mar 7, 2011 at 11:19 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: Coopersville MI
I dont know how the Monroe shocks you have on the car compare to Standard Bilstiens, but the Monroes probably aren't any good any more, so new shocks might make a difference.
I'm 27yr-old and my car rides a bit rough for my dad at age 55, but for short trips he didnt have any issues. He bought a Z51 86 car that has good suspension and he likes how it rides. I havent heard him complain about it being too rough.
I'm 27yr-old and my car rides a bit rough for my dad at age 55, but for short trips he didnt have any issues. He bought a Z51 86 car that has good suspension and he likes how it rides. I havent heard him complain about it being too rough.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The Z51-specific Bilsteins are matched to the springs so those shocks will restore the ride to stock Z51 feel. There is a Bilstein "Sport" shock which is a bit softer. Of course road conditions have a lot to do with ride quality; poor road s= poor ride and more work to control the car.
I used KYB Gas-A-Just shocks on my old '78 with the FE7 Gymkhana suspension and they felt stiffer than the factory shock. That suspension was similar to the C4 Z51 in terms of a performance suspension compared to stock, but those KYB shock did smooth out the ride but it may have been simply old shocks vs. new.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
I dont know how the Monroe shocks you have on the car compare to Standard Bilstiens, but the Monroes probably aren't any good any more, so new shocks might make a difference.
I'm 27yr-old and my car rides a bit rough for my dad at age 55, but for short trips he didnt have any issues. He bought a Z51 86 car that has good suspension and he likes how it rides. I havent heard him complain about it being too rough.
I'm 27yr-old and my car rides a bit rough for my dad at age 55, but for short trips he didnt have any issues. He bought a Z51 86 car that has good suspension and he likes how it rides. I havent heard him complain about it being too rough.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 217
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From: Coopersville MI
And a ride in my car with all new suspension may show the difference in the old shocks that arent doing anything for him in new shocks, weather stiffer or not. The shocks on my car were shot prior to the change and the "harshness" of the ride is different. It doesnt feel like it slams around like it used to with shocks that were worn out.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
He posted this: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...log-wagon.html in the General Section. Then posted two similar threads in the Tech Section. So technically he does not have a Z51 any more. As there are Monroe shocks on his car and not Bilstiens.
And a ride in my car with all new suspension may show the difference in the old shocks that arent doing anything for him in new shocks, weather stiffer or not. The shocks on my car were shot prior to the change and the "harshness" of the ride is different. It doesnt feel like it slams around like it used to with shocks that were worn out.
And a ride in my car with all new suspension may show the difference in the old shocks that arent doing anything for him in new shocks, weather stiffer or not. The shocks on my car were shot prior to the change and the "harshness" of the ride is different. It doesnt feel like it slams around like it used to with shocks that were worn out.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I did this. Spent shipping $$$ to send them to California for rebuild. The got them, told me they could not be rebuilt and then charged me $450+ shipping for replacement shocks. I would have been better off buying replacement Bilsteins from Ecklers or MAD.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 555
From: Seattle Washington
I have a Set of Bilsteins for my C3 that were prepared by John Greenwood just for C3's. They didn't even look like the ones that were the standard ones. I sent them in and it took a wile to get them back because they had to replace a bent Rod and it was a size they didn't have. My only complaint was they didn't Paint them. I know some of the GS guys have had good luck with there 96's.
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I have a Set of Bilsteins for my C3 that were prepared by John Greenwood just for C3's. They didn't even look like the ones that were the standard ones. I sent them in and it took a wile to get them back because they had to replace a bent Rod and it was a size they didn't have. My only complaint was they didn't Paint them. I know some of the GS guys have had good luck with there 96's.
