96 LT4 Shocks
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 969
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From: San Diego CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
96 LT4 Shocks
Since I've had my car up on the lift at MORE performance, I've been fighting off all kinds of mod temptations! :reddevil
But, I'm particularly interested in changing shocks. The car has 68k on it now, so it's about that time anyway. I've got the FE1 suspension and I (for one) love the ride quality of it. I'd be interested in just replacing the shocks with new factory FE1 shocks. SO, here is my first question:
What is the part number for 96 FE1 shocks, and who has the best deal on them??
Also, I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has done the same swap, with a different brand of shock.
What do you recommend?
I'd love to be able to increase the handling abilities of the car, while maintaining a soft ride. Thanks! :cheers:
[Modified by 365ZUM, 5:12 PM 5/6/2002]
But, I'm particularly interested in changing shocks. The car has 68k on it now, so it's about that time anyway. I've got the FE1 suspension and I (for one) love the ride quality of it. I'd be interested in just replacing the shocks with new factory FE1 shocks. SO, here is my first question:
What is the part number for 96 FE1 shocks, and who has the best deal on them??
Also, I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has done the same swap, with a different brand of shock.
What do you recommend?
I'd love to be able to increase the handling abilities of the car, while maintaining a soft ride. Thanks! :cheers:
[Modified by 365ZUM, 5:12 PM 5/6/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (365ZUM)
I have been running Koni single adjust. for about 2 years. Most of the time they have been set on firm. The ride is stiff but not bouncy. I like it, but haven't tried adjusting the shocks softer. The factory shocks can be rebuilt by Bilstein. I don't have contact info, but it shouldn't be hard to find in a search of archived topics.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (93Polo)
I think I've pretty much decided to replace them after the CF Cruise-In. From what I've read, dosen't seem to be rocket science to replace them. After the homework I've done, I've decided between two: Bilstein HD's, or Bilstein Sports (Z51 shock).
I've heard that when added to a base FE1 suspension, the Z51 shocks for 96 arent very rough at all. Can anyone back this up??
I've heard that when added to a base FE1 suspension, the Z51 shocks for 96 arent very rough at all. Can anyone back this up??
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 31,976
Likes: 487
From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (365ZUM)
I've heard that when added to a base FE1 suspension, the Z51 shocks for 96 arent very rough at all. Can anyone back this up??
[Modified by 93Polo, 11:07 AM 5/7/2002]
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
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From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (93Polo)
the 96's are the softest sprung of all C4's. REally the springs is what causes the car to ride hard or not. The shocks control the up and down motion.
Seems like you enjoy the soft ride. So just replace the shocks with new 96 FE1 shocks.
:cheers:
Seems like you enjoy the soft ride. So just replace the shocks with new 96 FE1 shocks.
:cheers:
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Groveland CA
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (365ZUM)
Just took Z-51s off my vert. The ride was Ok. Quite a lot bumpier :boxing than the stock shocks. The worst was some vibration at about 60 - 65. Alignment shop advised I soften the ride and stiffen the sway bar up front. I went with Edelbrock IAS. Good shock. :)
Bought a hard top too, so can't tell you for sure if it was the shock or the hard top that stopped the vibration. But the ride is superb...
Took some getting use to, seemed too soft. But they are there for you when you need them. Keeping the tires on the ground in a turn is important. :yesnod:
I'll keep the z-51s for auto-x, but Edelbrock has my vote. ;)
I do plan to move to a 32mm up front stock is 24mm.
Bought a hard top too, so can't tell you for sure if it was the shock or the hard top that stopped the vibration. But the ride is superb...
Took some getting use to, seemed too soft. But they are there for you when you need them. Keeping the tires on the ground in a turn is important. :yesnod:
I'll keep the z-51s for auto-x, but Edelbrock has my vote. ;)
I do plan to move to a 32mm up front stock is 24mm.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Groveland CA
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (365ZUM)
John- were those Z51's true Bilstein shocks? or were they the AC Delco/Bilstein version?
Thanks :cheers:
Thanks :cheers:
You should know I'm lowered 1" and that could make a difference in the ride. :yesnod:
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Groveland CA
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (365ZUM)
John- were those Z51's true Bilstein shocks? or were they the AC Delco/Bilstein version?
Thanks :cheers:
Thanks :cheers:
DELCO Bilstein Sport
ordered them from Mid America.
BTW only got 20K before they started leaking oil. :eek:
The stock FE-1 had 60K before they leaked. :U
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 969
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From: San Diego CA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (John Ruy)
Thanks John,
I talked with "Jack French" (found his name in a former thread) from Bilstein, and he recommended the Bilstein HD over the Sport or the Z51. He referred to the latter two as "weekend racer" shocks- not what I'm after.
I want a firm, yet absorbing ride (the best of both worlds of course :D ) and he described the Bilstein HD as just that.
SO, I'll be going with the HD's. Thanks alot for the advice!! :cheers:
I talked with "Jack French" (found his name in a former thread) from Bilstein, and he recommended the Bilstein HD over the Sport or the Z51. He referred to the latter two as "weekend racer" shocks- not what I'm after.
I want a firm, yet absorbing ride (the best of both worlds of course :D ) and he described the Bilstein HD as just that.
SO, I'll be going with the HD's. Thanks alot for the advice!! :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,019
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From: down that one road next to that big tree
Re: 96 LT4 Shocks (365ZUM)
i have a set of 5k mile z51 bilsteins i ordered, drove on and then changed to konis..darn steins are too soft for me, but they are a good deal more firm than a worn shock or the base shock. i'd take $160 shipped for the set. they will be available in a couple weeks. a friend is using them right now while his fx3s are being rebuilt.
