What shocks to get???
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 737
Likes: 52
From: Las Vegas NV
What shocks to get???
So my 94 vert is on its original shocks. It only has 4k original miles on it. My last 94 I had which was years ago, floated down the road like a luxury car. Kind of like a cadi. This one feels the same. What are the best shocks to put on the car to make it feel better, not so floaty. I'm looking for faster/better compression/rebound. If there are shocks I can get to make it feel closer to how my C5 Z06 feels I'd be happy. Suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
If you go ahead and buy Bilsteins, choose were you buy them based on price and also warranty service. If a Bilstein goes bad, they have to be returned to the place of purchase (there are exceptions, you need to look on the Bilstein website).
Bilstein's are warranted for life to the original purchaser and they do owner their warranty. The ones on my truck were replaced for me. (This is only for non-oem shocks, Bilstein doesn't warranty factory supplied shocks).
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/s...vice/warranty/
I purchased my set for the Corvette from Summit Auto Racing. The ones on my truck were purchased through Autozone. You do have to keep proof-of-purchase. Summit and Autozone both maintain electronic records.
Summit will also price match and ships for free on orders over $99.00
Bilstein's are warranted for life to the original purchaser and they do owner their warranty. The ones on my truck were replaced for me. (This is only for non-oem shocks, Bilstein doesn't warranty factory supplied shocks).
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/s...vice/warranty/
I purchased my set for the Corvette from Summit Auto Racing. The ones on my truck were purchased through Autozone. You do have to keep proof-of-purchase. Summit and Autozone both maintain electronic records.
Summit will also price match and ships for free on orders over $99.00
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,102
Likes: 1,981
From: St. Charles MO
Another interesting option is the "handling quality" shocks from Ridetech. They are around $700-750 for a set of four, and are monotube designs with adjustable rebound based on Fox internals. That seems like a hell of a good value, and you can adjust them however you want. I know they can be custom valved, too, but I think for your application you'd be in good shape with the off-the-shelf valving.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,462
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Another interesting option is the "handling quality" shocks from Ridetech. They are around $700-750 for a set of four, and are monotube designs with adjustable rebound based on Fox internals. That seems like a hell of a good value, and you can adjust them however you want. I know they can be custom valved, too, but I think for your application you'd be in good shape with the off-the-shelf valving.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,462
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
Yes they cost less up front but if you have them on your car and buy it new, the warranty is manufacturer warranty. NOT lifetime replacement. Less money up front but more in the back end.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,102
Likes: 1,981
From: St. Charles MO
The original poster wanted shocks with higher damping rates for a more controlled and responsive handling setup, though. I doubt that AC Delcos or other OE-equivalent dampers will do that for him.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
KYB makes a well priced super durable shock youll never have to replace one. They do stiffen the ride up. Not a "smart shock" like the Koni Bilstein etc but if you dont have a stiff spring the may work out for you been using them since the 80s on every car Ive had. Only one kinda regretted was the 89 it was already stiff, on a rough road wow thought the car was coming apart. Anything else been real happy
Rebuilding Bilsteins not worth it imo btdt. Worked fine but cost too much by the time all was said and done no lifetime warranty
Rebuilding Bilsteins not worth it imo btdt. Worked fine but cost too much by the time all was said and done no lifetime warranty
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
KYB makes a well priced super durable shock youll never have to replace one. They do stiffen the ride up. Not a "smart shock" like the Koni Bilstein etc but if you dont have a stiff spring the may work out for you been using them since the 80s on every car Ive had. Only one kinda regretted was the 89 it was already stiff, on a rough road wow thought the car was coming apart. Anything else been real happy
Rebuilding Bilsteins not worth it imo btdt. Worked fine but cost too much by the time all was said and done no lifetime warranty
Rebuilding Bilsteins not worth it imo btdt. Worked fine but cost too much by the time all was said and done no lifetime warranty
^^^^My Shocks where worn out as well, causing a Baby Buggy "Wondering" ride.. KY"s and all is good!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,711
Likes: 174
From: Chatham NY
St. Jude Donor '13, '15-'16,'18 thru '25
When I replaced the shocks on my 96 base coupe I went with the Z51 option from Bilstein, seems to have eliminated the float and softer ride built into newer models. I say this haven driven a number of later C4s to compare to mine.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,462
Likes: 3,288
From: Hartford WI
KYB makes a well priced super durable shock youll never have to replace one. They do stiffen the ride up. Not a "smart shock" like the Koni Bilstein etc but if you dont have a stiff spring the may work out for you been using them since the 80s on every car Ive had. Only one kinda regretted was the 89 it was already stiff, on a rough road wow thought the car was coming apart. Anything else been real happy
Rebuilding Bilsteins not worth it imo btdt. Worked fine but cost too much by the time all was said and done no lifetime warranty
Rebuilding Bilsteins not worth it imo btdt. Worked fine but cost too much by the time all was said and done no lifetime warranty
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Will Bilstein offer advice shock dyno test results so someone else can? Sometimes paying a shock guy with known corner weights and wheel rates shock dyno data along with expectations will save a ton in experiments. Sure going to spend a hundred or so for a short amount of time but compared to the cost of picking the wrong ones cheap.
