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Old 08-13-2018, 08:08 PM
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jspiegel
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Default 1989 C4 Shocks

What brand replacement shocks should I use for a better ride.
Old 08-13-2018, 09:37 PM
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Need A Vette
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Originally Posted by jspiegel
What brand replacement shocks should I use for a better ride.
You're going to get a ton of answers, and probably some flames as to 'search' the forum...I just changed my shocks and put KYB on it, as the bilsteins were just plain WORN OUT! World of difference...though I've used them before on several different cars and have always had good luck with them. look at https://www.shockwarehouse.com

D.

Last edited by Need A Vette; 08-13-2018 at 09:39 PM.
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Old 08-14-2018, 06:02 AM
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65Z01
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If current shocks are worn out just replace with OEMs for best results, IMO.
Old 08-14-2018, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by 65Z01
If current shocks are worn out just replace with OEMs for best results, IMO.
Old 08-14-2018, 10:38 AM
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RandomTask
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Are you looking for budget replacement or OEM ride quality? I’ve done the KYB’s both on street and track. They’re squishy on the street, absolute garbage on the track when they get hot. If you’re stock ones are just completely shot and you’re looking for a cheap replacement, sure. If you want a good quality ride with assurance, spend the extra bucks on the Bilsteins.
Old 08-14-2018, 12:02 PM
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If you want to soften it up and the car is just a cruiser, then KYBs are fine. I run KYBs, and will be going back to Bilsteins, as I like a firmer response.
Old 08-14-2018, 01:04 PM
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Bilstein base shocks
Old 08-14-2018, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by RandomTask
Are you looking for budget replacement or OEM ride quality? I’ve done the KYB’s both on street and track. They’re squishy on the street, absolute garbage on the track when they get hot. If you’re stock ones are just completely shot and you’re looking for a cheap replacement, sure. If you want a good quality ride with assurance, spend the extra bucks on the Bilsteins.
Winner of the best description/answer.

Now if people would just do a few searches and LISTEN to the advice of others.........


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Last edited by JrRifleCoach; 08-14-2018 at 03:28 PM.
Old 08-14-2018, 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by RandomTask
Are you looking for budget replacement or OEM ride quality? I’ve done the KYB’s both on street and track. They’re squishy on the street, absolute garbage on the track when they get hot. If you’re stock ones are just completely shot and you’re looking for a cheap replacement, sure. If you want a good quality ride with assurance, spend the extra bucks on the Bilsteins.
Why don't we just call it cheap crap and not "budget replacement"? As they say, call a spade a spade.
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Old 08-14-2018, 05:47 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Why don't we just call it cheap crap and not "budget replacement"? As they say, call a spade a spade.
Because for someone who just goes out cruising every once in a while and needs something to keep their car safe, they're a viable option. I have no clue as to the OP's financial situation but a set of bilsteins is ~$370. I can get a set of KYB's for $80. For some, that might be a hard pill to swallow if they don't understand where that extra ~$300 is going.

It's akin to tires. Do you want something that's going to give you the best possible grip and response? Or do you want something that will allow you to pass a yearly safety inspection to keep your car on the road. On my C7Z, the PS2's were about $2400 a set. . . a cheap set of federal tires were about $650. . . Easy to tell someone what to do. Sometimes harder when you're the one writing the check for it.
Old 08-15-2018, 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by RandomTask
Because for someone who just goes out cruising every once in a while and needs something to keep their car safe, they're a viable option. I have no clue as to the OP's financial situation but a set of bilsteins is ~$370. I can get a set of KYB's for $80. For some, that might be a hard pill to swallow if they don't understand where that extra ~$300 is going.

It's akin to tires. Do you want something that's going to give you the best possible grip and response? Or do you want something that will allow you to pass a yearly safety inspection to keep your car on the road. On my C7Z, the PS2's were about $2400 a set. . . a cheap set of federal tires were about $650. . . Easy to tell someone what to do. Sometimes harder when you're the one writing the check for it.
I didn't say it wasn't a viable option I buy Goodwill clothes to do yard work or wrenching. I KNOW it is cheap crap I am buying for certain purposes. Regardless of reason, it is still cheap crap. I wear $5 shorts and shirt from Goodwill instead of better clothing but it is still cheap junk. My point is not that it isn't appropriate for the use. My point was simply to ask why we always want to use stupid euphemisms instead of calling it what it is. Kinda like saying I put Mom in a "Long Term Care Facility". Why don't we just call it a Nursing Home? Say what you mean, mean what you say.

Last edited by aklim; 08-15-2018 at 02:49 PM.
Old 08-15-2018, 09:12 AM
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the OP specifically said he wants a better ride. I will assert that Konis yellows set near their softest settings may be the best way to achieve that goal. Another option may be the Ridetech RQ dampers, if those are still available, or their HQ series set near the soft end of their settings. I have experience with the Konis and another forum member recently installed the Ridetech HQs and was very pleased with the ride quality.
Old 08-17-2018, 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by MatthewMiller
the OP specifically said he wants a better ride.
Sure and any new shock will meet this need. From crap to Koni's...

Old 08-17-2018, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Sure and any new shock will meet this need. From crap to Koni's...
Not true at all. Some new shocks are valved so stiffly that they give a horrible ride quality, although they may be great for high performance. I have a set of custom-valved Bilsteins like this. Others give poor control over the chassis because they are cheap crap, and so the suspension oscillates more than necessary and that also degrades the ride quality. Actually, the KYBs I've used have a little of both characteristics, probably because they have a slightly high overall damping rate but not enough of (if any) change in rate (lower) at higher damping speeds.
Old 08-17-2018, 08:28 AM
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Koni Yellow Single Adjustables. Night and day difference between the Bilstein FX3 shocks and the Konis. Set both shocks at the mid-point.

Last edited by Nokones; 08-17-2018 at 08:29 AM.

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