Shocks
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburg
Shocks
1996 Collectors Edition Corvette....I've ran KYB gas adjust shocks on my 84 C4 and was extremely satisfied. I'm wondering if anyone has a personal use comparison between the KYB's and Blistine performance shocks for a 96 C4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,561
Likes: 944
From: Communist Colorado
I have had both, however on different cars. Bilsteins on my Vettes and KYB on my Z-28. I feel like the Bilsteins are a more quality shock, better made and work well with the C4 suspension. The car was engineered with the Bilsteins, so spring for the Bilsteins. I have gone from AC Delco and Monroe to Bilsteins on 2 C4's and it was like riding in a whole different car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have had KYB and Bilsteins on several C4's.
I think the Bilsteins are a better shock and should last longer. I like a firmer ride, and I have used the Z51 Bilsteins on a base suspension '94 and '95. To me that is a great setup. It is firm, but not harsh.
I have KYB on my '96. I do not know how long they will last. They are a softer shock that makes for a smoother ride, but not as good at controlling the car. As a side note, I was a senior engineer at a car company and had to work with KYB because of the poor quality of their products. I worked with them for months and they could not maintain the process improvements they made. Their management was incompetent at best. That was quite a long time ago, so hopefully they have improved since then, but I will never buy KYB because of my experiences with them.
My choice is the Bilstein shocks. I like them on my '95 and would recommend them again. I don't hate KYB shocks and have them on my '96 but I would not buy them (they came with the car when I bought it).
Good luck with your choice.
I think the Bilsteins are a better shock and should last longer. I like a firmer ride, and I have used the Z51 Bilsteins on a base suspension '94 and '95. To me that is a great setup. It is firm, but not harsh.
I have KYB on my '96. I do not know how long they will last. They are a softer shock that makes for a smoother ride, but not as good at controlling the car. As a side note, I was a senior engineer at a car company and had to work with KYB because of the poor quality of their products. I worked with them for months and they could not maintain the process improvements they made. Their management was incompetent at best. That was quite a long time ago, so hopefully they have improved since then, but I will never buy KYB because of my experiences with them.
My choice is the Bilstein shocks. I like them on my '95 and would recommend them again. I don't hate KYB shocks and have them on my '96 but I would not buy them (they came with the car when I bought it).
Good luck with your choice.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
If you're lucky, you get what you pay for. I just put KYBs on my 91 roadster and like them because I'm looking for a smooth ride, not a track car. Admittedly, they were under $150 for 4 (Tire Rack Special) and Bilsteins are ~$100 each - do the math. If I wanted the stiffer ride (at my wife's peril), I would have sprung for the Bilsteins, but in my case KYBs were my choice. The improvement in ride is noticeable, but with 122k on the originals that was to be expected. Good luck.
