shock opinions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
shock opinions
hello, i am new to the site, it looks very cool. i am looking for opinions on shocks. i bought the car used so unfortunatly it has base suspension. it's one of those you guys call a 4 x 4, lol. obviously it will be lowered, but i want to get it stiffer. the springs seem fine and after shocks i will probably do the sway bars. i don't need them to be adjustable, i like the ride stiff (i'm a purist) and i'd like to not spend a fortune. does anyone have experience with kyb gas adjust? also, there are Z51 shocks, right? does anyone know the gm part number, i can get a great discount on them from the local chevy dealer through someone i know, but the parts guy said his computer does not give him the part number. he said he could probably get it if he had the VIN from a Z51 car. thank you in advance, great site!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 901
Likes: 15
From: Punta Gorda, FL
Re: shock opinions (vetteboy95)
Hey there, VetteBoy. Welcome to the forum. Check out the Great Lakes Regional discussion. We're having a run out to Starved Rock state park next Sunday. Be sure to join us. Also, I've set up a get together at Volo Auto Museum on 8/10. Don't miss it, it'll be a blast.
As far as your question. I have no experience with aftermarket shocks. I have stock Bilsteins, which have been modified by the factory to be much firmer. Bilstein offers a rebuild service. You can get any firmness you want I'd imagine. Check out their web site, I think the info is on there.
As far as your question. I have no experience with aftermarket shocks. I have stock Bilsteins, which have been modified by the factory to be much firmer. Bilstein offers a rebuild service. You can get any firmness you want I'd imagine. Check out their web site, I think the info is on there.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
Likes: 11
From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: shock opinions (vetteboy95)
Welcome to the forum :thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Re: shock opinions (vetteboy95)
Welcome to the Forum.
You want your Corvette to be stiffer? You ain't a purist, you are a masochist. :eek:
Seriously, if your present shocks are worn out, any new set you put on will give you a stiffer ride.
Just remember, a stiffer shock is not necessarily a better handling shock. There is an ideal damping rate for every car/spring rate/weight/etc. If you bolt on a shock that is stiffer than the ideal...... well, you will have a setup that is LESS than ideal.
Good luck!
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
[Modified by rocco16, 6:24 AM 6/15/2003]
You want your Corvette to be stiffer? You ain't a purist, you are a masochist. :eek:
Seriously, if your present shocks are worn out, any new set you put on will give you a stiffer ride.
Just remember, a stiffer shock is not necessarily a better handling shock. There is an ideal damping rate for every car/spring rate/weight/etc. If you bolt on a shock that is stiffer than the ideal...... well, you will have a setup that is LESS than ideal.
Good luck!
Larry
code5coupe
:seeya
[Modified by rocco16, 6:24 AM 6/15/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Costa Mesa CA
Re: shock opinions (vetteboy95)
I didn't know KYB made adjustable shocks. I have the standard KYB's. They are the best shock for the money, IMO. They're about half the price of Koni's or Blistein's and about 1/3 the price of Edelbrock's.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Re: shock opinions (BIG JIM 54)
hey big jim,
the kyb shocks are not adjustable. i think they mean self adjusting to road conditions and driving. i'm just scared i'll end up with the same kind of ride, up and down 3 or 4 times over humps in the road(way to soft). i want to be seriously stuck to the road, especially around corners with little dips in them. i wish converting to coil overs wasn't about $1500. thinking about the koni, but don't need to spend the extra $ on adjustability.
thanks for the input
the kyb shocks are not adjustable. i think they mean self adjusting to road conditions and driving. i'm just scared i'll end up with the same kind of ride, up and down 3 or 4 times over humps in the road(way to soft). i want to be seriously stuck to the road, especially around corners with little dips in them. i wish converting to coil overs wasn't about $1500. thinking about the koni, but don't need to spend the extra $ on adjustability.
thanks for the input
I didn't know KYB made adjustable shocks. I have the standard KYB's. They are the best shock for the money, IMO. They're about half the price of Koni's or Blistein's and about 1/3 the price of Edelbrock's.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake IL
Re: shock opinions (lspalding)
Hey there, VetteBoy. Welcome to the forum. Check out the Great Lakes Regional discussion. We're having a run out to Starved Rock state park next Sunday. Be sure to join us. Also, I've set up a get together at Volo Auto Museum on 8/10. Don't miss it, it'll be a blast.
As far as your question. I have no experience with aftermarket shocks. I have stock Bilsteins, which have been modified by the factory to be much firmer. Bilstein offers a rebuild service. You can get any firmness you want I'd imagine. Check out their web site, I think the info is on there.
As far as your question. I have no experience with aftermarket shocks. I have stock Bilsteins, which have been modified by the factory to be much firmer. Bilstein offers a rebuild service. You can get any firmness you want I'd imagine. Check out their web site, I think the info is on there.
thanks for the reply. Starved Rock will be tough, 7 year old having surgery this week(tonsils and adenoids), they say the adenoids are kind of crappy. Volo sounds good, you'll have to let me know the time, i'll mark it down.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
Re: shock opinions (vetteboy95)
I have had two vettes, a 94 till the baby and now a 92 (no pass air bag).
Both had base suspension with bilstein shocks. The bilsteins were very soft - even when new. Someone mentioned having them revalved to a firmer setting - I didn't know you could do it.
In the 94 I installed KYB gas-a-just. The difference was noticable and perfect.
With the 92, I looked into the Konis, but the $$ was just too much, and the adjustment **** on the rear shocks required the removal of the shock for adjustment. If money were no object, I would have gone with the Konis.
Instead, I bought another set of KYBs. From Summit the total was like $130. Just like the first time - the balance is perfect. I'm happy.
Both had base suspension with bilstein shocks. The bilsteins were very soft - even when new. Someone mentioned having them revalved to a firmer setting - I didn't know you could do it.
In the 94 I installed KYB gas-a-just. The difference was noticable and perfect.
With the 92, I looked into the Konis, but the $$ was just too much, and the adjustment **** on the rear shocks required the removal of the shock for adjustment. If money were no object, I would have gone with the Konis.
Instead, I bought another set of KYBs. From Summit the total was like $130. Just like the first time - the balance is perfect. I'm happy.
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