TerryOlson

I'm in the market for new shocks for our '84. I just lowered the car if that makes a difference. I'm concerned about an increase to ride height and all of the shocks that I find for this application are gas charged. Most of the research that I've done says that these will increase ride height slightly. Of course there are some who disagree, but most report this to be the case.

I've been considering the KYB gas charged shocks - they seem a good blend of value and performance. If money were no object I'd look at the Bilsteins, but this is a street car and I'm not sure that the return on investment is a good one.

Can anyone recommend a quality shock for a street car that won't increase ride height, at least not considerably?

Thanks.

bjankuski

Shocks do not increase ride height, they dampin wheel movement. A gas shock adds a small amount lifting force to the car but it probably adds less then .1 inches to the ride height.

don hall

Very true.......and KYB shocks are just fine for your intended application.

davewhtt

I went with KYB on my 93 and im very happy with the ride. I dont see any change in the height, but big change in road feel.

WW7

There are some on here that don't like KYBs, but I have had both KYBs and Bilsteins on my 89, and I like the ride of the KYBs better.....Like mentioned above, these are fine for your intended application..If you wanted to autocross or roadrace, then that's a different story......WW

ToniJ1960

While were here I want to put two new shocks on the front of my 84.

Heres the thing, I havent ever done this before myself and havent even jacked up my car by myself. I have one scissors jack, one floor jack el cheapo variety, and two decent jackstands.

Is there a complete writeup/guide somewhere I could be directed to? One for complete idiots preferred

ToniJ1960

While were here I want to put two new shocks on the front of my 84.

Heres the thing, I havent ever done this before myself and havent even jacked up my car by myself. I have one scissors jack, one floor jack el cheapo variety, and two decent jackstands.

Is there a complete writeup/guide somewhere I could be directed to? One for complete idiots preferred

TerryOlson

Thanks for the advice -I'll order the KYBs and go from there.

I found a few threads on this site and others in a Google search - some are more helpful than others so give that a go and I'm sure you find one that works for you.

TerryOlson

Ordered from Summit - they're always super helpful and you can't beat their prices.

corvetteronw

Youtube is your friend. Videos on how to jack up your C4 and how to install shocks.

Ozzstar

Check out the thread I started the other day. Very good information on shocks for the C4. I believe I am going to go with 4 Bilstein Z51 shocks, they will fit and work on the base model. Check out the specs in the thread. -Ozz

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-c4-vette.html

xrav22

You don't have to even jack up the car to change the front shocks.

JrRifleCoach

Your correct, however....they dampen spring oscillation.
Too many KYB users have reported here about KYB's raising the ride height.

Dollar for dollar, the Bilsteins are the proper replacement shock for a C4
All others pretend to be.

Deakins

I'll put my QA1 double adjustable shocks up against the Bilsteins in any category, any day...I can set them up for any track I want to go to or set them up to cruise the local burger joint. The best of both worlds is only a minute away and about 15 clicks; the downside is the cost. Doesn't sound like the OP is looking to spend that kind of money but I do not agree that the Bilstein is the shock everyone should put on their Vette. Just my .02

TerryOlson

Got the KYBs installed this morning and the ride improvement is remarkable. After a lap around the block I could see that the car sat most of an inch higher but after a 10 mile trip I can see that it's settled some. It's not where it was before I replaced the shocks, but it isn't so high that I'm unhappy about it. Had I not just lowered the car, that would be a different story, but it looks just about right now.

When we bought the car it rattled and clanked over every bump. I'd heard the criticism of the '84 model with an overly harsh ride and I'd thought this is what they meant by that. When I had the front end apart I realized that the shocks were dead and both fronts had spit the lower rubber bushings out. I also found that one of the front sway bar mounts was loose and rattling. All has been corrected and I can say that the ride isn't anything like our Audi, but it isn't supposed to be. There's a fair amount of "road feel" through the steering wheel and chassis but this is what I would expect from a performance car.

I appreciated the advice from all - no issues with the Bilstein and QA1 opinions, but as was said, this is a driver and I don't "need" anything more than the fresh KYBs provide.

Next on the to-do list is lowering springs on the Audi - and maybe spacers to get the wheel to wheel well fit just right.

JrRifleCoach

My experience with QA1's was short lived since the 86 was lowered 1.5 inches. The rears would bottom out moving the circlip up and out of its groove by a full inch. At the time investigation proved there was no short stroke parts that we could retrofit.

Unless you've run KYB's in your C4, its easy to say that about Bilsteins. Although the KYB price seems right and ride quality might feels soft, but the highway handling suffers. And thus cannot be understood by most.