better ride
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,032
Likes: 2,720
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
...
If you want to believe that softer shocks make a big difference on ride quality I can't change your mind. Spring rate is what makes the ride, put 100 pounds in the back of the 'Vette and the car doesn't drop at all, put 100 pounds in the back of your Malibu and the bumper will drop a couple of inches. Springs, not shocks.
If you want to believe that softer shocks make a big difference on ride quality I can't change your mind. Spring rate is what makes the ride, put 100 pounds in the back of the 'Vette and the car doesn't drop at all, put 100 pounds in the back of your Malibu and the bumper will drop a couple of inches. Springs, not shocks.
When it comes to bumps, a suspension that can move quickly to handle the bump will produce a softer ride. That's why going from factory Z51 shocks on our car to factory base shocks, gave a much nicer ride on the frost-heaved roads of Illinois. That's also why the Tour setting on a F55 suspension gives a softer ride than Sport; the programming is more complicated but Tour allows the suspension to move more quickly when it hits a bump. The springs don't change, just the shocks.
With equal springs, softer shocks give a sorter ride.
With equal shocks, softer springs give a softer ride.
They are both part of the equation.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I will add that when hitting a deep bump at freeway speed the rear will seem to bottom out some, not badly but it will hit occasionally. My car has been lowered maybe 3/8 in.
This with the less travel of the FSD shock could be the reason, or a stiffer spring might be needed. Otherwise it rides and handles very well, level in turns and stable.
Maybe a raising a bit would take care of this but I am not that worried about it. With stock set up this did not occur but the suspension showed other traits that I wanted corrected mainly the bouncyness and leaning in turns. The FSD's are only a part of my changes as I already noted.
This with the less travel of the FSD shock could be the reason, or a stiffer spring might be needed. Otherwise it rides and handles very well, level in turns and stable.
Maybe a raising a bit would take care of this but I am not that worried about it. With stock set up this did not occur but the suspension showed other traits that I wanted corrected mainly the bouncyness and leaning in turns. The FSD's are only a part of my changes as I already noted.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 331
From: Long Island New York
Old picture. Towed to a local meet just to aggravate some of the local purists.
If you want to believe that softer shocks make a big difference on ride quality I can't change your mind. Spring rate is what makes the ride, put 100 pounds in the back of the 'Vette and the car doesn't drop at all, put 100 pounds in the back of your Malibu and the bumper will drop a couple of inches. Springs, not shocks.
If you want to believe that softer shocks make a big difference on ride quality I can't change your mind. Spring rate is what makes the ride, put 100 pounds in the back of the 'Vette and the car doesn't drop at all, put 100 pounds in the back of your Malibu and the bumper will drop a couple of inches. Springs, not shocks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
I will add that when hitting a deep bump at freeway speed the rear will seem to bottom out some, not badly but it will hit occasionally. My car has been lowered maybe 3/8 in.
This with the less travel of the FSD shock could be the reason, or a stiffer spring might be needed. Otherwise it rides and handles very well, level in turns and stable.
Maybe a raising a bit would take care of this but I am not that worried about it. With stock set up this did not occur but the suspension showed other traits that I wanted corrected mainly the bouncyness and leaning in turns. The FSD's are only a part of my changes as I already noted.
This with the less travel of the FSD shock could be the reason, or a stiffer spring might be needed. Otherwise it rides and handles very well, level in turns and stable.
Maybe a raising a bit would take care of this but I am not that worried about it. With stock set up this did not occur but the suspension showed other traits that I wanted corrected mainly the bouncyness and leaning in turns. The FSD's are only a part of my changes as I already noted.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 330
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
OK so now back to my original question disregarding that thing they call a leaf spring because I will not be changing it. So the Softer shock will give a better ride and that would be the Bilstein HD correct? If I wanted to spend a little more money I could get the Koni FSD. I guess my best question will be, I feel like i'm riding around on rocks right now and from what I read the HD will put me into a smoother ride.If I go with Koni will there be as big a difference between the Koni and the Bilstein as there is between the Bilstein and the stock Z51 shocks. Like I said before this is my DD and I do not race it nor do I try 85 mph turns coming off the highway. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
OK so now back to my original question disregarding that thing they call a leaf spring because I will not be changing it. So the Softer shock will give a better ride and that would be the Bilstein HD correct? If I wanted to spend a little more money I could get the Koni FSD. I guess my best question will be, I feel like i'm riding around on rocks right now and from what I read the HD will put me into a smoother ride.If I go with Koni will there be as big a difference between the Koni and the Bilstein as there is between the Bilstein and the stock Z51 shocks. Like I said before this is my DD and I do not race it nor do I try 85 mph turns coming off the highway.
FROM WHAT I HAVE READ PEOPLE SAY THE BILSTEIN HD SHOCK IS STIFFER THAN THE KONI FSD.
I have no bounce like stock shocks and no harshness like Z51 shocks, while running the FSD with coupe non Z51 springs.
I recommended the FSD for street only set up they are more than capable for spirited driving confidence as well as cruising comfort.
Last edited by Boomer111; May 10, 2013 at 02:19 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,032
Likes: 2,720
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
There seems to be a huge variation in people's opinion of shocks, in particular the FSD's.
One respected member here put FSD's on his Z51 car and says, after lots of driving and comparing, that they seem just as stiff as the original factory Z51 shocks. Another member put them on his base suspension car and says that over bumps they are actually softer than the base shocks. They are both backed up by other members who say the same thing.
Somebody is wrong, but I can't tell you who it is.
One respected member here put FSD's on his Z51 car and says, after lots of driving and comparing, that they seem just as stiff as the original factory Z51 shocks. Another member put them on his base suspension car and says that over bumps they are actually softer than the base shocks. They are both backed up by other members who say the same thing.
Somebody is wrong, but I can't tell you who it is.
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Oh well lmaf.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
AllI know is that the FSD is a huge improvement over the OEM shock in my coupe. Still a nice ride with a firmer feel in responding to the road.
I would google the FSD as other auto groups have used them, lots of reviews out there.
I would google the FSD as other auto groups have used them, lots of reviews out there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 149
From: North Carolina
I'm in the FSD "significantly better ride" camp. I also throw the car around quite a bit in autocrosses and can attest to their ability to help keep the car balanced during rapid lateral and fore-and-aft transitions. Great shock.