Shocks - thoughts on replacements?

[Darrin kirby]

Hey all,

Thinking of replacing shocks in my '94 vert, at least the fronts (she has a touch of a float thing happening over highway undulations). It is a daily driver/cruiser. No track time, racing, or aggressive driving. Would a lower cost option do the trick or should I spring for the Bilsteins?

Also, regardless of which I choose, best source?

Thanks...

 

[12cents]

You can always stick with OEM (are Bilsteins OEM on a C4?) if you are not tracking your car. I am sure if you can't get them at Hickman's, try the locals (like Browne's) for prices and availability.
BTW, with the age of your Corvette, if those are all original shocks, I would look at replacing all 4.

 

[Darrellg1]

You can always stick with OEM (are Bilsteins OEM on a C4?) if you are not tracking your car. I am sure if you can't get them at Hickman's, try the locals (like Browne's) for prices and availability.
BTW, with the age of your Corvette, if those are all original shocks, I would look at replacing all 4.

Hi 12.
Bilstien's ARE OEM..... IF he has a Z51 setup.

 

[Darrin kirby]

I thought the non-adjustable Bilstiens were stock, and the adjustable version with Z51. I could be wrong!

 

[Tourmax]

I thought the non-adjustable Bilstiens were stock, and the adjustable version with Z51. I could be wrong!

Nope. Bilsteins came on z51 and Z52 cars as an “upgrade”.

Most bilsteins are rebuildable, although the ones on my 88 Z52 car look like sealed units. The Bilsteins on my Mustang are definitely rebuildable, you can see the collars that allow disassembly. There’s really not much comparison between the ones on my c4 and the ones on my mustang. The bilsteins on my mustang have massive pistons and huge bodies comparred to the “oem” c4 units. The mustang ones make the C4 ones look like bargain buy low end shocks.

I’d stick with Bilsteins myself, they’re about the best quality units on the market right now, without going to a “mega buck” option. But if I were to get replacements, I’d go for the newer Bilsteins that are tunable and rebuildable.

For reference, my 88 Z52 car will also “float” on bumps or road irregularities. It’s likely the result of a compromise between ultimate road holding and comfort. It is a street car after all. I wouldn’t want to have to strap on a kidney belt every time I took it out for a drive in our crappy canadian roads....

 

[Darrin kirby]

Very good then. My car had the base suspension from the factory. I really didn't see the point of spending a pile of cash on Bilsteins for the driving I do. I'm gonna try the KYB shocks at less then half the cost.

 

[Tourmax]

If you’re just going kyb, I’d check out rock auto.

before I put the biksteins on my fox mustang, I bought 4 kyb adjustables from rock auto and they were the best price I could find anywhere. Even after the shipping to Canada.

I ended up dropping the kyb’s because the adjusters were a PITA to get to under the car. I just went with a set of properly valved Bilsteins and haven’t look back since. I track the fox though (autocross), so the Bilsteins were worth the price for me.

 

[Darrin kirby]

Yep. Guess where I ordered them from?

 

[Vette1993]

Just put 4 regular original Delco shocks on my Vette, very inexpensive and they work just fine, as I do not drive this car every day or aggressively either.

 

[Riderover50]

Hey all,

Thinking of replacing shocks in my '94 vert, at least the fronts (she has a touch of a float thing happening over highway undulations). It is a daily driver/cruiser. No track time, racing, or aggressive driving. Would a lower cost option do the trick or should I spring for the Bilsteins?

Also, regardless of which I choose, best source?

Thanks...

Coilovers all around ......Get the right shocks and you wont be disappointed!

 

[Darrin kirby]

Can you forward your credit card number then?

 

[Mike D]

Very good then. My car had the base suspension from the factory. I really didn't see the point of spending a pile of cash on Bilsteins for the driving I do. I'm gonna try the KYB shocks at less then half the cost.

Amazon.ca has them. Cheap.

 

[Vette1993]

Check out Rockauto! I bought mine there and even with shipping and exchange rate it was cheaper than Canada! Set the website to Canadian Dollars.

 

[Darrin kirby]

I have the KYB shocks. Hope to install on the weekend, weather permitting. Recieved them from Rock Auto in less than 4 days using their base shipping option. That's impressive, especially for Newfoundland.

BTW, although my car has the base suspension the shocks are Delco labelled Bilstein. Probably been replaced at some point - the car does have over 180k kms on the clock.

 

[Darrin kirby]

KYB shocks are now installed. I don't know if the Delco labelled Bilstiens were original, but I had to cut off the top bolts on the two rears and one front. And they were toast. I could compress the rears by hand.

I took the car on a long run today - did the Irish Loop, which Newfs are likely familiar with. It is a suspension workout for sure...and will help you find every sqeak and rattle in your interior. I did it a couple weeks ago with the old shocks and it was a nightmare. Today, quite enjoyable. I can't really do a legit comparison as the originals were basically doing nothing. Nice touring car with the KYB's.

 

[Vette1993]

I also did not realize how bad they were till I changed them out. Major difference!

 

[rvguy79]

Replaced the adjustable FX3 Bilstens on my 93 with non adjustable Bilstens. Major improvement!

 

[dannyboy]

Replaced the adjustable FX3 Bilstens on my 93 with non adjustable Bilstens. Major improvement!

If your new shocks aren't FX3, do you get a warning on your DIC?

 

[dannyboy]

* crickets... *

 

[korvette klown]

did the Bilstein come only on the z51 or on others as well