C4 Shock absorbers
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 830
Likes: 6
C4 Shock absorbers
My car is a 1990 Z51, 6sp. I am no longer competing with the car, and am ready to replace the adjustable shocks with civilized gas shocks. Price is a factor.
I currently have Bilstein Adjustable Shocks on the car. I am considering KYB's as replacements.
Interestingly Bilstein on some sites lists different shocks for the Z51 which is lower than stock coupes, but none of the other manufactures do/
Anyone with a Z51 have any experience with KYB or brands other than Bilstein?
Thanks
Art
I currently have Bilstein Adjustable Shocks on the car. I am considering KYB's as replacements.
Interestingly Bilstein on some sites lists different shocks for the Z51 which is lower than stock coupes, but none of the other manufactures do/
Anyone with a Z51 have any experience with KYB or brands other than Bilstein?
Thanks
Art
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
When I purchased my 84 in 2011 it still had the original shocks on it. They were rusted out with holes in them.
I purchased a set of Gabriel OEM replacement shocks for a little little less that $100.00 and they are still just fine today. Car is not driven hard and not a Z51. I would buy them again without hesitation.
Good luck with your decision.
I purchased a set of Gabriel OEM replacement shocks for a little little less that $100.00 and they are still just fine today. Car is not driven hard and not a Z51. I would buy them again without hesitation.
Good luck with your decision.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,939
Likes: 1,488
From: New Jersey
I had the Gabriel's on mine before I replaced them with bilsteins. They worked well. The only reason bilstein lists a different shock for the z51 is that they do take their time to tune the shock to the car (The delcos that were factory were delco bilstein iirc.) Per gm spec. If you do track it the bilstein is supposed to be about the best out of the box for the stock setup.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,140
Likes: 1,729
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I have KYBs, and don't care for them. Too soft for my liking, you lose road feel. Fine for a cruiser and little more than that. I'd recommend going with Bilstein again.
