replacing my 1985 shocks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Salem New Hampshire
replacing my 1985 shocks
any suggestions as to which shocks will give me the best and smoothest ride .....anything to watch out for or stay away from?
Thanks in advance...Mike
Thanks in advance...Mike
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
I just put a set of QA1 single adjustable shocks onto my 1990 and love them. Might be a bit much for just cruising but the adjustability is great for auto-x. Also if you are lowered send an email to QA1 tech support, they will recommend a different front shock to prevent damage from bottoming.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Take a look at my photos i have a pic of the bilstein installed and the new adapters.
If you can afford the qa1 adjustable that is what I would do or just go coilovers and remove the leaf springs.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 413
Likes: 2
From: Carencro LA
I just installed the bilstein sports on my 84 and everyone said it would ride like a lumber wagon.. I guess my shocks were gone because it rides fantastic and handles even better now.
Take a look at my photos i have a pic of the bilstein installed and the new adapters.
If you can afford the qa1 adjustable that is what I would do or just go coilovers and remove the leaf springs.
Take a look at my photos i have a pic of the bilstein installed and the new adapters.
If you can afford the qa1 adjustable that is what I would do or just go coilovers and remove the leaf springs.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
a lot of guys recommend the KYB shocks as the best budget shock
for the c4. I was going to go that route but a sale came up on the bilsteins and I'm very happy I went that way.
It all depends on your driving style. Cruiser or more performance minded.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
the Fx adjustable suspension and it was ok. Do the Qa's offer more control?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Hard to give you a good baseline as my FX3 shocks were shot. I still felt a difference between Tour, Sport, and Performance, but my wife did not. On the QA1's my passenger notices when I have the shocks twisted up to 'kill' (18 clicks) vs my normal cruise (4 clicks rear, 6 clicks front). I have the single adjuster shocks, they change the rebound and compression damping together. I use a TS507 in the front and a TS512 (I think) in the rear. The TS507 was recommended by QA1 because I lowered the car and the normal shock (TS511) bottoms out with lowered vehicles. I would have gotten double adjustables if I had the scratch but it was enough to convince myself to spend the 600+ on the single adjustables.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Hard to give you a good baseline as my FX3 shocks were shot. I still felt a difference between Tour, Sport, and Performance, but my wife did not. On the QA1's my passenger notices when I have the shocks twisted up to 'kill' (18 clicks) vs my normal cruise (4 clicks rear, 6 clicks front). I have the single adjuster shocks, they change the rebound and compression damping together. I use a TS507 in the front and a TS512 (I think) in the rear. The TS507 was recommended by QA1 because I lowered the car and the normal shock (TS511) bottoms out with lowered vehicles. I would have gotten double adjustables if I had the scratch but it was enough to convince myself to spend the 600+ on the single adjustables.