C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Shocks

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 10:51 AM
  #1  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default Shocks

Any recommendations on the best shocks (set of 4 - front and back) for my 1987? Good shocks that do not cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks!
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 11:12 AM
  #2  
Need A Vette's Avatar
Need A Vette
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 32
From: Cumming Georgia
Default

I'm doing this later this spring, have to do power brake booster first. But I plan on going with KYB KG 5570s (Front), and KYB KG 5571s (Rear). Only about $30 ea, which I feel is reasonable. And they do have a lifetime guarantee. Rock Auto has them cheap!

D.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 11:22 AM
  #3  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,722
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default

Bilsteins are the best.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 11:52 AM
  #4  
Need A Vette's Avatar
Need A Vette
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 32
From: Cumming Georgia
Default

Originally Posted by vader86
Bilsteins are the best.
That maybe, but not real affordable at $90 ea

D.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 12:10 PM
  #5  
c4cruiser's Avatar
c4cruiser
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

Originally Posted by Need A Vette
That maybe, but not real affordable at $90 ea

D.
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.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 01:17 PM
  #6  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

What about AC/Delco Professional; Premium Gas Charged shocks? Would these suffice? aren't these the OEM's that were originally on the 87? They are about the same price as KYB Gas-A-Justshocks.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 01:20 PM
  #7  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,722
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by Need A Vette
That maybe, but not real affordable at $90 ea

D.
$30 KYB shocks are not good shocks.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 01:37 PM
  #8  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

I just went ahead and ordered a set of 4 KYB Gas-A-Justshocks from RockAuto. All 4 Actually being delivered for 121$ Thanks for the advise guys.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 01:39 PM
  #9  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

Vader86 - Why do you say KYB's are not good?
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 01:41 PM
  #10  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

  • THIS IS WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THEM - What makes them not good shocks?
  • Adds up to 25% more damping performance over original equipment shocks
  • Triple chrome-plated piston rod and multi-lip oil seals that reduce wear
  • Solid, seamless mounting eye rings and bolt bushings that can't separate and become noisy
  • Chemically bonded insulator mounting bushings that won't slip out
  • A Teflon-coated or phenolic piston band that reduces friction and provides a positive cylinder seal
  • Specially formulated hydraulic fluid with multi-range viscosity for any weather climate
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:05 PM
  #11  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by Varoom - Vette
Vader86 - Why do you say KYB's are not good?
Are you a good worker? If so, would you sell your services cheap (relatively) as opposed to some rookie without a whit of experience and a bad attitude? Good things aren't cheap because they don't have to be. Cheap things aren't good. They're wanting.

Bilstein replaced my 10 year old FX3 shocks that are about $200 apiece without bothering to really inspect them. 10 to 1, after your 1 or 2 year warranty is up, well...... You do know when cheap crap breaks IF you are lucky, don't you? If not, they break often enough that your time spent to replace them eats up any potential savings.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:06 PM
  #12  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

Well my conclusion is this: Anything has to be better than whats on my vette now. They look like the original shocks that were on it when new! That makes them 30 years old! :-)
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:15 PM
  #13  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by Varoom - Vette
Well my conclusion is this: Anything has to be better than whats on my vette now. They look like the original shocks that were on it when new! That makes them 30 years old! :-)
A car with a cracked head is better than one without a motor. IF that is the rationale to justify cheap crap, fair enough.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:41 PM
  #14  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

Originally Posted by aklim
Are you a good worker? If so, would you sell your services cheap (relatively) as opposed to some rookie without a whit of experience and a bad attitude? Good things aren't cheap because they don't have to be. Cheap things aren't good. They're wanting.

Bilstein replaced my 10 year old FX3 shocks that are about $200 apiece without bothering to really inspect them. 10 to 1, after your 1 or 2 year warranty is up, well...... You do know when cheap crap breaks IF you are lucky, don't you? If not, they break often enough that your time spent to replace them eats up any potential savings.
Wow! You guys are very critical about these shocks. Are they really that bad man? They can't be that bad???
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:42 PM
  #15  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

Originally Posted by Need A Vette
I'm doing this later this spring, have to do power brake booster first. But I plan on going with KYB KG 5570s (Front), and KYB KG 5571s (Rear). Only about $30 ea, which I feel is reasonable. And they do have a lifetime guarantee. Rock Auto has them cheap!

D.
Wow. I ordered the KYB's and I'm being crucified on here for it. are they really that bad? Should I cancel my order? Man o' man!
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:46 PM
  #16  
Varoom - Vette's Avatar
Varoom - Vette
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 2
From: Hobart, IN IN
Default

Originally Posted by aklim
A car with a cracked head is better than one without a motor. IF that is the rationale to justify cheap crap, fair enough.
I've been reading reviews about KYB and getting mixed reviews but mostly positive. They say that they are good shocks for handling on the roadways, 4 wheeling is a different story but I'm certainly not 4-wheeling in my vette...suppose everyone has their opinion.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:53 PM
  #17  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by Varoom - Vette
Wow! You guys are very critical about these shocks. Are they really that bad man? They can't be that bad???
If you are selling the car tomorrow, they are the best. Just like the forever pads. They count on you dumping the car before you need a new set.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Shocks

Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:56 PM
  #18  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by Varoom - Vette
Wow. I ordered the KYB's and I'm being crucified on here for it. are they really that bad? Should I cancel my order? Man o' man!
Depending how long you are wanting it to last. Even if they replace them for free every season, do you want to be doing this? If your time is worth nothing, fair enough. I replaced mine 10 years after installing them. One leaking and the other fine. On their dime.
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 02:57 PM
  #19  
aklim's Avatar
aklim
Team Owner
Active Streak: 60 Days
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,330
Likes: 3,245
From: Hartford WI
Default

Originally Posted by Varoom - Vette
I've been reading reviews about KYB and getting mixed reviews but mostly positive. They say that they are good shocks for handling on the roadways, 4 wheeling is a different story but I'm certainly not 4-wheeling in my vette...suppose everyone has their opinion.
Like you said, better than the broken ones you pulled off, yes. In a couple of years, maybe not
Reply
Old Mar 16, 2017 | 04:07 PM
  #20  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,722
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by Varoom - Vette
Vader86 - Why do you say KYB's are not good?
because they are mushy as hell.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:26 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE