1985 corvette stock preformance.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Livingston MT
1985 corvette stock preformance.
Hey, I recently bought an 85 C4, and am new to cars as a whole. I'm in love with the car and how it handles, but where I live it is very bumpy, unfortunately. Was looking into getting some shock absorbers, any suggestions? Was also curious about other things I could do to make it more of a daily/comfortable ride.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 478
Likes: 66
From: Elizabethtown, NC
If your 85 is the base model not the Z51 the ride should be decent. A couple of things come to mind for a softer ride is replace shocks with KYB as they have softer valving, drop tire pressure to 32 lbs. If your tires are old replace them. There is a date code stamped in the side walls of the tires giving you week and year made such as 1410, made 14 th week of 2010. Tires become harder with age. That's about all I can thing of.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If its Z51, you may have to live with some of it. The 85s were pretty stiff, less than 84, but still stiff.
The main thing that affects ride quality is the rear spring, soften that one with an aftermarket or used later spring, and it should be better. KYB shocks are softer than your stock ones, but you do lose some road feel, and I prefer the firmer Bilsteins. I currently have the KYBs and am going back to Bilstein on my 88 when its time to replace, which in general is about 75K for shocks.
If you start replacing pieces in the rear, go with new rubber bushings for the ride quality. The only other thing is to experiment with tire pressures, you can notice a difference.
84-87 share common front suspension, 84-96 rear suspension are basically the same design with some option differences along the way.
The main thing that affects ride quality is the rear spring, soften that one with an aftermarket or used later spring, and it should be better. KYB shocks are softer than your stock ones, but you do lose some road feel, and I prefer the firmer Bilsteins. I currently have the KYBs and am going back to Bilstein on my 88 when its time to replace, which in general is about 75K for shocks.
If you start replacing pieces in the rear, go with new rubber bushings for the ride quality. The only other thing is to experiment with tire pressures, you can notice a difference.
84-87 share common front suspension, 84-96 rear suspension are basically the same design with some option differences along the way.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
If your 85 is the base model not the Z51 the ride should be decent. A couple of things come to mind for a softer ride is replace shocks with KYB as they have softer valving, drop tire pressure to 32 lbs. If your tires are old replace them. There is a date code stamped in the side walls of the tires giving you week and year made such as 1410, made 14 th week of 2010. Tires become harder with age. That's about all I can thing of.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Livingston MT
If its Z51, you may have to live with some of it. The 85s were pretty stiff, less than 84, but still stiff.
The main thing that affects ride quality is the rear spring, soften that one with an aftermarket or used later spring, and it should be better. KYB shocks are softer than your stock ones, but you do lose some road feel, and I prefer the firmer Bilsteins. I currently have the KYBs and am going back to Bilstein on my 88 when its time to replace, which in general is about 75K for shocks.
If you start replacing pieces in the rear, go with new rubber bushings for the ride quality. The only other thing is to experiment with tire pressures, you can notice a difference.
84-87 share common front suspension, 84-96 rear suspension are basically the same design with some option differences along the way.
The main thing that affects ride quality is the rear spring, soften that one with an aftermarket or used later spring, and it should be better. KYB shocks are softer than your stock ones, but you do lose some road feel, and I prefer the firmer Bilsteins. I currently have the KYBs and am going back to Bilstein on my 88 when its time to replace, which in general is about 75K for shocks.
If you start replacing pieces in the rear, go with new rubber bushings for the ride quality. The only other thing is to experiment with tire pressures, you can notice a difference.
84-87 share common front suspension, 84-96 rear suspension are basically the same design with some option differences along the way.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
I trailer-ed my 85...all the way from S Florida to Lake Superior to keep it up there.....had to trailer it back at end of season......way too many bumps on Michigan roads......fun to drive on roads smooth as a baby's butt....like S Fl...otherwise....don't think other that lowering tire pressure will help....at that probably not so much.....
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 459
Likes: 95
From: Chelsea Mass
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
I also agree with using Bilstein ! When I got my 89 it had 62,000 and the original Bilstein shocks in it, and I definitely noticed a difference for the better when I replaced them.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 387
Likes: 148
From: Langton, Ontario, Canada
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I had to replace the rear leaf on my 85 Z-51 when I caught it starting to de-laminate. I bought a used 94 spring for $200 and installed it in about 2 hours. It's an easy job. I have a nice crisp but not bone-jarring enjoyable ride.
If you are replacing your tires, take a look at a higher aspect number. I'm currently running a 45 sidewall but will look at a 50 when I replace the tires next, just to get a bit more flexible rubber between the wheels and the road.
If you are replacing your tires, take a look at a higher aspect number. I'm currently running a 45 sidewall but will look at a 50 when I replace the tires next, just to get a bit more flexible rubber between the wheels and the road.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 165
From: Nashville TN
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I replaced my worn out shocks with KYB, man it made a huge difference in the ride quality. Car is still a little bumpy but SOOO much better. I can't speak for the Bilsteins but I'm perfectly happy with KYB. If you're more interested in comfort than extra performance, I'd seriously consider them. My car is more of a weekend joyrider than a race car, so comfort is more than performance for me.