Bilstien shocks
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Media Pa
Bilstien shocks
I am in the process of putting an 1987 Z51 back together. After a long winter the time has come to put a set of shocks under it, do I need to use the Bilstien shocks or are there other options? The car is a street car and not at track car, most it will see are some windy backroads on a Sunday afternoon. Any recommendations would help.
Thanks for helping out a newbie.
Mike
Thanks for helping out a newbie.
Mike
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From: Hartford WI
I doubt any of the vettes sold at the dealership are track cars so that doesn't really apply.
Question is how long you plan to keep the car? A couple of years? Get whatever is cheap. Otherwise, don't cheap out. Get the aftermarket Bilstein shocks. Sure, it's nice to save a buck today but it is only a saving if you save in the long run. I had a leaking 10 yo Bilstein. Sent back both fronts and they sent me 2 new ones 2 hours after receiving them. No questions asked.
Question is how long you plan to keep the car? A couple of years? Get whatever is cheap. Otherwise, don't cheap out. Get the aftermarket Bilstein shocks. Sure, it's nice to save a buck today but it is only a saving if you save in the long run. I had a leaking 10 yo Bilstein. Sent back both fronts and they sent me 2 new ones 2 hours after receiving them. No questions asked.
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Do you know if the car has either the optional Z51 or Z52 suspension? GM used different versions of Bilsteins depending which of those two options were ordered for the car.
The Z52 used the base springs with a slightly stiffer Bilstein shock compared to the base shock. Z51 cars got stiffer springs, bigger sway bars and Z51-specific Bilsteins.
If the car has the base suspension, GM used an AC Delco branded shock.
The KYB Gas-A-Just would be a good alternative.
The Z52 used the base springs with a slightly stiffer Bilstein shock compared to the base shock. Z51 cars got stiffer springs, bigger sway bars and Z51-specific Bilsteins.
If the car has the base suspension, GM used an AC Delco branded shock.
The KYB Gas-A-Just would be a good alternative.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
That said if I sell the car tomorrow, you won't give me any more because there are Bilsteins which cost more than the cheap crap or at least, most won't. So, if I am going to sell it next year and I don't have FX3, I'll put some cheap crap on.
OTOH, if I plan to keep the car, I'd want a better shock especially if it has a lifetime warranty.
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From: Hartford WI
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From: Lansing MI
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From: Tijuana Drunken
I find its great on smooth roads with the stiff suspension and shocks but on bumps the whole Vette jumps to the side. I thought this independent suspension should stop that but it's just to stiff. A softer shock would be better but what about those shocks that are stiff on smooth and soft on bumps like the Edelbrock IAS?
Team Owner
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From: Hartford WI
Original set is "Manufacturer Warranty" only. Once GM is done, you are done. If you buy the aftermarket ones, IOW not through GM, you are warrantied for life. What exactly is the difference, in valving, I'm not sure.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
I find its great on smooth roads with the stiff suspension and shocks but on bumps the whole Vette jumps to the side. I thought this independent suspension should stop that but it's just to stiff. A softer shock would be better but what about those shocks that are stiff on smooth and soft on bumps like the Edelbrock IAS?
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From: Lansing MI
Bilstein is pretty liberal with the warranty but not that liberal that they will send you new ones. So let me understand, You bought a whole set at about $800 and you cut it off? Or are you talking about the original set?
Original set is "Manufacturer Warranty" only. Once GM is done, you are done. If you buy the aftermarket ones, IOW not through GM, you are warrantied for life. What exactly is the difference, in valving, I'm not sure.
Original set is "Manufacturer Warranty" only. Once GM is done, you are done. If you buy the aftermarket ones, IOW not through GM, you are warrantied for life. What exactly is the difference, in valving, I'm not sure.
Last edited by PatternDayTrader; May 15, 2016 at 10:39 PM.