Best C4 ride combo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 50
From: Westmont Il.
I had no way of knowing if new Bilsteins would make a difference in ride quality on my 62k '91 coupe as I had nothing to compare it to. The ride seemed excessively harsh over surface irregularities so I took a chance and shelled out the $300 for a new set. Testing them on a bathroom scale, I wondered if I wasted my money. The old ones took about 40# to compress and 12# to rebound compared to 60# and 25# for the new ones. The biggest difference was the old ones took about 6 sec. to self extend after compression vs. 1 1/2 sec. for the new. After a road test I knew my money was well spent. It feels like a different car, much smoother and stable. The ride is actually pliant. I didn't realize the shocks played such an important role in smoothing out the little bumps like road joints.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Charleston WV
Hi there,
I am sure new shocks help! I already have new FX3 Bilstein shocks at $200 each. I think they are not flexible enough for the type of roads I will drive on. The car bounces and traction is not good even at the softest Touring setting.
http://www.sardesonracing.com/shock_tuning.htm
I think everybody agrees that Bilstein shocks have higher gas pressure than the competition and ride firmer.
KYBs have a mixed following. There are loyal KYB users, and then those who say KYB stands for Keep Your Bilstein.
Monroe gets a bad rap here. I found many posts where C4 users praise Monroe Sensatrac in this forum. I am interested to give it a try.
I am sure Monroe matched Sensatrac to the OEM AC Delco shocks before shipping them out using a shock dyno.
C4ZF6nut
I am sure new shocks help! I already have new FX3 Bilstein shocks at $200 each. I think they are not flexible enough for the type of roads I will drive on. The car bounces and traction is not good even at the softest Touring setting.
http://www.sardesonracing.com/shock_tuning.htm
I think everybody agrees that Bilstein shocks have higher gas pressure than the competition and ride firmer.
KYBs have a mixed following. There are loyal KYB users, and then those who say KYB stands for Keep Your Bilstein.
Monroe gets a bad rap here. I found many posts where C4 users praise Monroe Sensatrac in this forum. I am interested to give it a try.
I am sure Monroe matched Sensatrac to the OEM AC Delco shocks before shipping them out using a shock dyno.
C4ZF6nut
I had no way of knowing if new Bilsteins would make a difference in ride quality on my 62k '91 coupe as I had nothing to compare it to. The ride seemed excessively harsh over surface irregularities so I took a chance and shelled out the $300 for a new set. Testing them on a bathroom scale, I wondered if I wasted my money. The old ones took about 40# to compress and 12# to rebound compared to 60# and 25# for the new ones. The biggest difference was the old ones took about 6 sec. to self extend after compression vs. 1 1/2 sec. for the new. After a road test I knew my money was well spent. It feels like a different car, much smoother and stable. The ride is actually pliant. I didn't realize the shocks played such an important role in smoothing out the little bumps like road joints.
