[B]What shocks do I want?[/B]
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
From: La Plata MD
[B]What shocks do I want?[/B]
I have a 95 6spd that needs shocks bad. I like to drive back country 2 lane roads with no dividing line in the middle. I want a shock that will help keep the tires FIRMLY planted when I'm not sure what the speed limit is and frankly don't care. 
Ride quality is not as important as handling Im used to the older mid 80's riding on rails suspention. I do not have adjustable suspention and I want to tight up the ride. Open for suggestions. Thanks 
Ride quality is not as important as handling Im used to the older mid 80's riding on rails suspention. I do not have adjustable suspention and I want to tight up the ride. Open for suggestions. Thanks
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: anderson sc
for your no questions asked, pass into handling, i suggest QA1's. i have them and love them. make sure they send you the bushing for the rears. i had to wait on mine. they are adjustable, from cadillac to locomotive. i LOVE THEM. right now i'm having one of mine rebuilt. i dont believe it's a problem that happens, just a fluke. they are treating me nicely in customer service too. just a not tho. these shocks are high. just under 600 for the 4 of them. i love them tho. that's my vote.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 68
From: Hewitt NJ
I will add a second vote for the QA1s. I love them. Handle great on the street or the track. I got mine brand new on eBay for $419 shipped. It was a deal I couldn't refuse.
There are several places online that sell them, Summit Racing being one of them. I believe Summit had them for $139 each. Good luck!
There are several places online that sell them, Summit Racing being one of them. I believe Summit had them for $139 each. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
From: La Plata MD
Clemson Vette I followed your link to the photos you have of your exhaust. I have the same hookers for my car (not installed yet). Did you notice a diffrece in HP when you put yours on? And how do you pass emmisions with no cats? Im in Va and would love to run no cats.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 744
Likes: 1
From: Houston Tx
Koni has for a long time made some of the best shocks ..... check out many of the autoXers and road racers. Koni single adjustables are on my car and work superbly. Only down side is the rears must be adjusted out of the car (which is really not hard to do , and I have only had to adjust mine twice). I got the best price from Summit , believe it or not, when I purchased mine two years ago.
The QA1's are good as well and dont need to be removed in back to adjust but dont have the reputation for handling excellence from racers that Koni's do. They were initially designed more for drag racing and the ability to adjust them on the car for that purpose ....
The QA1's are good as well and dont need to be removed in back to adjust but dont have the reputation for handling excellence from racers that Koni's do. They were initially designed more for drag racing and the ability to adjust them on the car for that purpose ....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Z51 Bilsteins work well with the late FE1 suspension. They tightened up my 94 nicely, and they don't cost an arm and a leg. I wouldn't experiment with anything cheaper like KYB, stick with Bilstein or better.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: anderson sc
yea man, we dont have emissions crap laws down here in da south. i'm so glad too. that is my old exhaust in the site. havent updated for a while. will in a month or so. i noticed no hp improvements. only cleaner engine and weight loss. hope it helps. wish i had gotten long tubes tho.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by Shriker
Koni has for a long time made some of the best shocks ..... check out many of the autoXers and road racers. Koni single adjustables are on my car and work superbly. Only down side is the rears must be adjusted out of the car (which is really not hard to do ....
The main difference is that the KONI has a lifetime warranty and many, many years of shock-building experience behind their product.
I have no doubt that the QA is a fine damper, and that you'd be happy with it, but the KONI Sports bolted right on with no adapter bushings and were easily adjustable to give me exactly what I wanted in suspension control.
I'd recommend (in decending order of cost):
Penske (if you just sold some beach property)
KONI or QA-1 (near equals)
Bilsteins (if you are on a budget)
KYB (if you have to borrow from your sister to buy shocks)
Larry
code5coupe
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 951
Likes: 0
From: La Plata MD
Guys Thanks for the advice hope no one flames me for going the cheap way. I think I'm going to try the Bilsteins Sport shock. No one seems to be unhappy with them from what I have read and the price is right. 
So thanks again 
So thanks again
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Originally Posted by manual95
Will they work with my base suspention. aka not adjustable
When I said they work well with the FE1 I meant that they match up well with the spring rates and sway bar rates of the FE1 on 94-96 cars. Much firmer but not too harsh for overall ride. It's as good as you get for an upgrade wtihout much cost or complexity. They cost the same as base shocks at Van Steel.