I have an 1996 LT4 with standard suspension, and 57,000 miles. What shock do you guys reccomend. I plan on more autocrossing so I though Z51 shocks but I would not be upgrading springs etc.

Coilovers seem way to expensive, but give me some advice and experience...

Gonzo

 

I would say Hal 12 way adjustable. Mine work well for Auto X. Might to a forum search onthe HALS. There is a lot of people running them on the forum

 

how much can you spend is the first question. the second is when can you upgrade springs? the coilovers are really nice becuase you can easily adjust ride height and weight balance the car as well as switch spring rate easily. the z51 bilsteins aren't really anything i'd consider race worthy. there's just no rebound. the koni yellows are a kickin shock that are extremely easy to toss around & give you a great feel for the car. i really have no idea how the hal's do on roadracing/xcross as i've only seen them on drag setups. konis run $500 for a set of 4 if your curious on price. shox.com is one of the least expensive sources.

 

The Koni are a good shock and are what I had before the HALS. What i did not like was that I had to remove the tire to adjust the shock. I think the Konis can be special ordered with the adjustment in a better spot

 

:yesnod: Hals are great... Adjustment is so quick that it can easily be done between runs!!

 

If you are going to seriously run the car, you do not want the Hal's. There have been numerous threads on this subject that you may want to check out. With the exception of Koni, I would NEVER EVER run a twin tube shock on any of my cars. Before I get on my soapbox, check out the old threads.

 

Hey,
Thanks for the replys. I just got back on line, and sent to Shox.com for quotes thanks for the tip.
Do I really need adjustablity? and do you think the Z51 are not a good choice withthe standard susp???

Thanks Gonzo

 

Gonzo, very successful guys like "h rocks" and "RX7 KLR" run relatively soft springs with good shocks and stiffer than stock bars. Retains street ride and keeps the tires in contact with the pavement all the time - no bouncing. You might want to go to the AX forum and ask them. I followed their advice and mine works very well. Jason has driven mine and he matched his times so it must work. I run stock '96 roadster springs (73.2 N/mm front & 39.9 rear) with Konis and a 30/26 bar combo. Your '96 coupe with FE1 has lighter (60.0 front/26.0 N/mm rear) springs so you may want to go up a bit, but not really stiff. BTW, on your '96, the rear Konis cannot be adjusted without undoing the upper mount and pulling them down. I have heard about, but haven't seen the Konis modified with a lower external adjuster. Fronts are easy access. I leave mine at half-way rear and only play with the fronts - almost always about 1/3 stiff - no more. Best of luck on your decision - let me know. Paul

 

i've used brand new z51 shocks on stock springs and was not at all pleased. i then loaned the set to jeffvette here on the forum & he tried them out as well. they are a decent street shock but they aren't race worthy. if i remember right the z51s were sold almost new for half price to a guy on the forum. when you really pitch the car the z51's lack the rebound to keep the car from swaying back and forth & generally create a white knuckle ride. bilstein custom valves shocks and there race valving on the FX3 shock is just sweet !! if it were possible to order custom valving i'd push the bilsteins all day and night. konis are nice becuase you have a great shock, fair price and a good life from it. the only drawback is adjusting the rear, you have to drop the shock to adjust it. i think i set mine between half firm and 3/4 & left it.

 

Gonzo, I am in much the same situation as yourself. I have the F45 suspension , which has the same soft spring rates as the FE1 base suspension (and sway bars). I am just beginning to upgrade the suspension and will have to do it in peices and parts for $$ reasons. I am starting with shocks first.

I have gone back and looked at all the old threads in roadracing/autoXing as well as this section for C4's as well as spoken to some old, very talented friends (long time autoXer's and open trackers) that I have raced with and the bottom line for me is the single adjustable Koni's. I almost bought the HAL's (QA1's) because of their adjustability (rear) while on the car but have decided the Koni's are just much more proven. Their only possible negative being that you have to remove the rears to adjust them. The rears should not need too much adjusting any way once you get them dialed in for your suspension combo. I have autoXed several cars through the years with Koni's and have never been disappointed. Most of the top cars in many classes have had them for many years and that alone says alot.

The Koni's will work as well with the base springs now (too soft) and just as well when I can get some Z07 springs/bars on the car later (my next purchases, only need front bar , rears are the same). I can adjust them at the time and be in great shape. The Koni's should last and be rebuildable. I paid $122 each for them from Summit (cheapest I found anywhere) for a total of under $500....cant really beat that for a start on suspension. Fronts are 8241-1097's and rears are 8241-1098's according to Koni (their website and their racing tech I spoke to live - extremely knowledgable and helpful btw).

I am going to pull all my F45 hardware and store it (if possible). Anyway , hope that helps........ :seeya