Shocks
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 8
Well - my personal experience is this. I bought the KYB's for my '91 because it looked like the originals were on there when I purchased the car, and I thought it would be a sensible preventative maintenance project. Bilsteins were just too pricey for me at the time (May 2015). Fortunately - I have a very short commute to work, and according to my maintenance Excell sheet, I've put just about 6K miles on them thru today. I'm planning to remove them and just lay out for the Bilsteins in the next couple months. I just find the ride too stiff and somewhat unpleasant. Kind of surprised me as I previously used KYB's on all my Mustang GT's & the Cobra that I had, and always thought they were a decent shock. For some reason - not so on my C4. Honestly I thought the ride was better with the original shocks on it. Likely I will put the KYB's up for sale here when I complete my swap. I'm not bashing KYB's - just relating my own experience. Your experience may differ.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,331
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
For a $30 shock? On a common truck or car, someone will be stupid enough to buy it for $10 but I think you will have a hard time selling it. Hard enough that it won't be worth your time. YMMV.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,421
Likes: 601
From: Minneapolis Mn
People will change parts whether springs, shocks etc to make their vehicle handle as they want. Some want one type of ride while others want something else. It's their choice.
There are a number of rebates on multiple brands of shock at this time so it can make some even more affordable.
Choose the ones that match your wants and go for it.
There are a number of rebates on multiple brands of shock at this time so it can make some even more affordable.
Choose the ones that match your wants and go for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,331
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
People will change parts whether springs, shocks etc to make their vehicle handle as they want. Some want one type of ride while others want something else. It's their choice.
There are a number of rebates on multiple brands of shock at this time so it can make some even more affordable.
Choose the ones that match your wants and go for it.
There are a number of rebates on multiple brands of shock at this time so it can make some even more affordable.
Choose the ones that match your wants and go for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,331
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 32
From: Cumming Georgia
My '89 has the bilsteins on it now, And I know fully well it's a sports car, but there is evidence of leaking on 2 of the 4, and I've had great luck with the KYBs in the past on other vehicles, including my daily driver, which isn't a vette, but a Nissan Frontier.
I dont mind spending money on my car, but I do have a hard time forking over $400 for shocks!
D.
I dont mind spending money on my car, but I do have a hard time forking over $400 for shocks!
D.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,331
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
My '89 has the bilsteins on it now, And I know fully well it's a sports car, but there is evidence of leaking on 2 of the 4, and I've had great luck with the KYBs in the past on other vehicles, including my daily driver, which isn't a vette, but a Nissan Frontier.
I dont mind spending money on my car, but I do have a hard time forking over $400 for shocks!
D.
I dont mind spending money on my car, but I do have a hard time forking over $400 for shocks!
D.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 330
Likes: 74
From: MUSKOGEE COUNTY OKLAHOMA
Bilstein Sport shocks are a great value for the money! You will get long life out of them and they will be a big improvement in both ride and handling. Yes, the do cost a fair amount, but it will be well worth it. And the Bilstein Sport shock was the shock that came with the optional Z52 Sport suspension on the 1987 and 1988 coupes.
KYB Gas-A-Just shocks would be a decent alternate choice, but as I recall, they feel stiffer than the Bilstein Sport shock.
KYB Gas-A-Just shocks would be a decent alternate choice, but as I recall, they feel stiffer than the Bilstein Sport shock.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 1,482
From: Ashland, OH
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,331
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
This is so true, and my 84 had Monroe sense tracs when I got it. I bought the kyb shocs because I thought the same way they have to be better than what it had, old wore out monroes.
Now I feel when I drive its an improvement but its kind of obvious its not right the car probably doesn't handle like a Corvette should. When I get rears I will get bilsteins and then redo the fronts. Its fine for the way I drive right now but I would expect trying to drive it like a Corvette would expose their weakness. Just from the `feel` I get when driving now. I don't feel bad that I bought them, Im not ready to drive it crazy.
Now I feel when I drive its an improvement but its kind of obvious its not right the car probably doesn't handle like a Corvette should. When I get rears I will get bilsteins and then redo the fronts. Its fine for the way I drive right now but I would expect trying to drive it like a Corvette would expose their weakness. Just from the `feel` I get when driving now. I don't feel bad that I bought them, Im not ready to drive it crazy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,331
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
If you are going to walk on eggshells or tone it down, why bother?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 30
From: Granite City Illinois
because Im moving and just wanted to get this done for now, if it was just my toy or a race car I would have done it differently but need to get moved to the new house asap. I was hoping it would reduce the cowl shake it might have helped some. Driving back and forth between two states the shaking gets on my nerves. It has to be a workhorse right now later is a different story.
I know you wouldn't use your Corvette to move with but no choice have to do what I have to do
I know you wouldn't use your Corvette to move with but no choice have to do what I have to do
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 74
Likes: 2
I have KYB's from RA as well on my 85, I think there stiff however I think for the money you can't go wrong, I like them over the Monroe shocks that were on it. However I never had bilsteins so I can't compare then to the KYB's but I know the Bilsteins have a great review. I wonder if Koni makes a shock for our vettes, friend had them on his Camaro and they were really great shocks, I think they would make all the above shocks mentioned look bad, but konis are really expensive from what I hear.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,331
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
because Im moving and just wanted to get this done for now, if it was just my toy or a race car I would have done it differently but need to get moved to the new house asap. I was hoping it would reduce the cowl shake it might have helped some. Driving back and forth between two states the shaking gets on my nerves. It has to be a workhorse right now later is a different story.
I know you wouldn't use your Corvette to move with but no choice have to do what I have to do
I know you wouldn't use your Corvette to move with but no choice have to do what I have to do