Shock recommendation?
06-26-2017, 05:25 PM
#1
Shock recommendation?
Just curious what the going 'best' shock is for the C4's (I have a 1995, base with the standard suspension).
I haven't studied the ones I have on there now, they are yellow.
I ran Bilstiens on my Impala SS, but didn't know if they were the shock of choice for these?
Mike in Oklahoma.
I haven't studied the ones I have on there now, they are yellow.
I ran Bilstiens on my Impala SS, but didn't know if they were the shock of choice for these?
Mike in Oklahoma.
06-27-2017, 08:15 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Bilsteins are great shocks, no doubt. The answer to your question depends on what you want to do with the car. Another interesting option is the Ridetech HQ shocks. Those are Ridetech-developed shock bodies with Fox monotube internals, and they are adjustable for rebound damping (the proper way to do it). The other really nice adjustable and affordable shocks for C4s are Koni sports 9 ("yellows"), which are twin-tube designs and adjustable for rebound. I find that on their softer settings they ride really well on the street - better than Bilsteins for ride quality in general, as Bilsteins tend to have a lot of compression damping (or maybe not a sharp enough "knee" in the compression damping curve between high- and low-speed damping rates).
06-27-2017, 01:32 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Can you guys find them cheaper then this? I can't.
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50f&ukey=14652
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50f&ukey=14652
06-27-2017, 01:51 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: Where Woke Goes to Die
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Can you guys find them cheaper then this? I can't.
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50f&ukey=14652
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50f&ukey=14652
06-27-2017, 02:09 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
06-28-2017, 08:58 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
I have a '95 with the base suspension also. It had Delco-Bilstein shocks from the factory.
By far my first choice are Bilstein shocks. They work well and last a long time (even a lifetime warranty). People have different opinions on which shock to use. Some people like the replacement non Z51 (B6 or HD) Bilstein while others like the firmer Z51 (B8 or SP) Bilstein. I put the Z51 (B8) on my base '94 and my base '95. I like a little firmer shock. To me they do not feel harsh, just a firmer more controlled ride.
I also have a '96 that came with KYB shocks on it when I bought it that the previous owner installed. They are a softer ride than either of the Bilstein shocks and might work well for a cruiser. I have no problems with them.
However, I will never buy KYB shocks due to a bad experience I had about 25 years ago. I was a senior engineer for an auto manufacturer that was using KYBs. They had problems and no quality control. I spent most of about 3 months working with them in their plant to identify problems and corrections. They could not even maintain controls once the problems had been identified and the corrections that were needed had been implemented. They had serious management problems. I hope they are better now than they were 25 years ago, but due to my experience I will not buy them.
Good luck with your choice.
PS. I also put Bilsteins on my '96 Impala SS and my '95 9C1. I liked them on those cars too.
By far my first choice are Bilstein shocks. They work well and last a long time (even a lifetime warranty). People have different opinions on which shock to use. Some people like the replacement non Z51 (B6 or HD) Bilstein while others like the firmer Z51 (B8 or SP) Bilstein. I put the Z51 (B8) on my base '94 and my base '95. I like a little firmer shock. To me they do not feel harsh, just a firmer more controlled ride.
I also have a '96 that came with KYB shocks on it when I bought it that the previous owner installed. They are a softer ride than either of the Bilstein shocks and might work well for a cruiser. I have no problems with them.
However, I will never buy KYB shocks due to a bad experience I had about 25 years ago. I was a senior engineer for an auto manufacturer that was using KYBs. They had problems and no quality control. I spent most of about 3 months working with them in their plant to identify problems and corrections. They could not even maintain controls once the problems had been identified and the corrections that were needed had been implemented. They had serious management problems. I hope they are better now than they were 25 years ago, but due to my experience I will not buy them.
Good luck with your choice.
PS. I also put Bilsteins on my '96 Impala SS and my '95 9C1. I liked them on those cars too.
Last edited by QCVette; 06-28-2017 at 09:00 PM.
06-29-2017, 06:37 AM
#15
Safety Car
Member Since: Oct 2000
Location: Lake Wylie, South Carolina
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HOLY CRAP!!! $500 BUCKS!!! I am pretty sure they would improve the ride and handling and have never been changed on my 90 base. But man this will have to wait a while.
W
W
06-29-2017, 08:37 AM
#17
Team Owner
eshocks.com or shox.com might work as well or better
06-29-2017, 07:05 PM
#19
Melting Slicks
When my hood is up I get more conversation on my KYB shocks than anything. I always get the 'ive ran those shocks before and man those are great for the money'.
Ive had them for a few months now and they have been great for what I paid for them.
Ive had them for a few months now and they have been great for what I paid for them.
06-29-2017, 07:19 PM
#20
Team Owner
When people say "great for the money", I always get the idea of "pay less today and we'll see about tomorrow". I have FX3 shocks at $200 a piece replaced with new ones after 10 years. I've had a leaking shock replaced although it was my fault and the abuse wasn't obvious. I have never had "great for the money" pay off tomorrow AFAIK. So if they are for a "keeper" car, I'd spend more and get the lifetime warranty and if they are for a car I am selling, I'd buy "great for the money" and let the breakdown be someone else's problem