What is a good shock
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1
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From: Willow Street Pa.
What is a good shock
I own a 1990 L98 with 72000 miles on it. I want to replace the shocks. Looking for any input here. I don't play racer with the car, but I do enjoy blowing it out now and then. I have to travel mostly secondary roads, and I'm looking for a little smoother ride. 
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20
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From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by burny1970
I own a 1990 L98 with 72000 miles on it. I want to replace the shocks. Looking for any input here. I don't play racer with the car, but I do enjoy blowing it out now and then. I have to travel mostly secondary roads, and I'm looking for a little smoother ride.
I was also interested in a smoother ride, and didn't want to spend a fortune, so I bought the best Gabriel shock absorbers at AutoZone. All four were less than $100, so if I didn't like them, I wouldn't lose too much. They aren't much smoother than the Bilsteins I took off.
When I was shock shopping, I tested them on the parts counter. I noticed that some of them "push in" easily, but "pull out" hard. I noticed others that were the opposite. My Eclipse bottomed easily, so for it I wanted a shock that was difficult to push in, and in this state of mind, I bought this type for my Corvette also. Well, I just bought the Vette, and didn't realize that I would never have a bottom-out problem with it, so I think I should have bought the ones that push in easily, which were the Monroes, if I remember correctly. I am sure the Edelbrocks are a great shock, but I didn't want to spend the money. My next cheap shock on the Vette may be those easy-to-squish-in Monroes.
The car still handles on-ramps and off-ramps well past legal limits.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 56
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From: Perkiomenville PA
I just bought myself a set of KYB's from Performance suspension Technologies for my '89 vette with the Z51 suspension. The set of 4 was $129.00, and no shipping charge. I've had this brand on muscle cars and they were good shocks for that application, so I can't wait for the new shocks to arrive so I can install them. Hopefully, they will come before the weekend.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 107
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From: clarendon hills il
my 2 cents
I have a 91 (base suspension), I put the KYB's on about 1 month ago. I thought they were too stiff my my driving. So I sold them and bought TPIS shocks which were softer but I still think the car rides rough. If your looking for a smooth ride, I would avoid the KYB's. The guys at KYB said thier gas-adjust shocks are about 30% more firm than the base suspension shock (Bilstein).
A local mechanic (who knows corvettes and use to work at a chevy dealership) told me that the a/c delco's are pretty decent for the money.
Let me know what you go with and how you like them. I may one day try to find a softer shock than my TPIS shocks.
Good luck,
Howdo
A local mechanic (who knows corvettes and use to work at a chevy dealership) told me that the a/c delco's are pretty decent for the money.
Let me know what you go with and how you like them. I may one day try to find a softer shock than my TPIS shocks.
Good luck,
Howdo
Race Director
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
When I bought the 85 it had well worn Monroes. Out they went in favor of some of Gabriel top of the line. Lasted almost two years and went south. Put on Monroes best. Good but didn't last long. Went to KYBs. Found the golden fleese. Far superior to any of the "common" shocks and I don't think they are any harsher. Best overall shock I have found for the dollar invested.
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Koni or QA1
BTW This topic should be posted in Tech/Perf or Gen.
BTW This topic should be posted in Tech/Perf or Gen.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Nov 21, 2004 at 04:37 PM.