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Topic: Shocks

in Forum: C4 Handling Components


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Shocks (1/12)
 10/7/09 6:10pm
racingchester
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Phoenix, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
94 Vert


Joined: 9/18/2009
Posts: 7

My 94 Vert has 130,000 on the clock and wonder what a good shock replacement might be.

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Shocks (2/12)
 10/7/09 6:36pm
Black Shark
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Vette(s):
Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe


Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 611

[QUOTE=racingchester]My 94 Vert has 130,000 on the clock and wonder what a good shock replacement might be.[/QUOTE]

Depends on a few things:

1- obviously $$$
2-wear on other components...no need to throw big bucks at it if the rest of your suspension will allow your new shocks to get beat up.
3-overall goals...is it a DD, or just a weekend warrior, or do you auto-X?


If you have a ragged out suspension, use your car as a DD on terrible roads....no reason to put high $$ shocks like premium Bilstiens on the car. (throwing good money at bad)

or

If you have a tight suspension and you autoX or maybe a weekend warrior at track events....no need to be cheap and put brandX on the car.(throwing bad money at good)


GL




Jim


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Shocks (3/12)
 10/7/09 8:00pm
racingchester
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Phoenix, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
94 Vert


Joined: 9/18/2009
Posts: 7

Car is a DD and just seems like its getting a little soft.  Everything else is still tight.  I'm an old guy and I don't drive nearly as aggresive as I once did.......

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Shocks (4/12)
 10/8/09 12:53pm
Black Shark
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Vette(s):
Black 1979 L-82 Black 1996 LT1 Black 1999 Coupe


Joined: 3/20/2009
Posts: 611

[QUOTE=racingchester]Car is a DD and just seems like its getting a little soft.  Everything else is still tight.  I'm an old guy and I don't drive nearly as aggresive as I once did.......[/QUOTE]

Then if it were me, I would buy my Fav. brand of gas shocks...be it Monroe, or the brandX with lifetime warrantee that the chain part houses sell.
You can go to the dealerships and buy OEM Chevy shocks, but they will cost a shiny dime.


I put the house brand on my Silverado, had them order me some Bilstiens for my C3.
the car road like it was a Flinststone car...I put the house brand on the C3 (with lifetime warrantee), it smoothed out the ride and corners great.
I do not have my C3 set up with a performance suspension, but the suspension is perfect mechanical wise...the deal is; it didnt take high $$$ shocks on my C3 to get a good ride for the purpose I was driving.

As far as my C4 goes; the previous owner had just put OEM Chevy shocks on it before I got it...when they go bad, I will upgrade...because...I do occasionaly hit the track, but do a lot of fun driving across the states and run across roads of every shape and condition.



GL






Jim
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Shocks (5/12)
 10/8/09 5:58pm
racingchester
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Phoenix, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
94 Vert


Joined: 9/18/2009
Posts: 7

Thanks for the advise.  Probably will stay away from GM.....

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Shocks (6/12)
 10/27/09 3:01pm
vette079
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Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 18

What came the vette with from the factory?
 
My 91 has bilsteins (base suspension), the prev. owner had them put on, but what did GM put on when it came from B-G, K?
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Shocks (7/12)
 10/28/09 4:59am
Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246

Bilsteins were factory for most of the suspensions, with the exception of the Ride Control/later models.  My '85 still has the original, factory installed Bilsteins on it. When they give up the ghost, I'll be installing the same. 

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Shocks (8/12)
 12/31/09 9:07pm
JBZ51
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Pottstown, PA - USA

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84 L83 Z51 4+3 Black with Graphite Leather


Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 53

My 84 had the factory Bilsteins on it until 2002 and 90k on the clock. I only replaced them for preventive measures. Definately noticed a big difference. I bought the tighter ones for the Z51 package (there were 2 options, stock and Z51). I got them at AutoZone and I think I spent $200 total?
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Shocks (9/12)
 7/20/11 6:29pm
BATaylorEsq
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San Tan Valley, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
87 Red Coupe, not as pretty, had 213G miles, great running engine; got 20-21 around town, 27-28 on hwy; I got to drive a Vette, every day for 6 yrs. It was my first; so now I know what the fuss is all about. (Sold it 2015 for $3000, still ran great.)


Joined: 11/29/2009
Posts: 90

Still good tips on what to consider for shocks, daily use or performance/preservation.  I still have my original Bilstein shocks on my 87, with over 166K mi, and drive over two sets of RR tracks each way to/from work (and I slow to about 30-35, so as not to jar the poor old warrior too much), so I'm thinking of replacing the shocks.  I don't want a tight set, so I'll take my mechanic's advice and get what he thinks best for my cute Corvette commuter car, which will probably be a Delco or Monroe set.  Your forum's advice is always helpful in making such decisions, at least we know something before we do something...thanks.

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Re: Shocks (10/12)
 12/26/12 1:18pm
C4Shane
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Charlotte, NC - USA

Vette(s):
-1993 LT-1, Coupe, 6speed, white/black -1986 L98, Coupe, 4+3, Black - SCCA TT Racer -1979 L48 Coupe, Auto, Red/doeskin


Joined: 5/15/2010
Posts: 26

As one reply above stated, if just a DD and you don't drive it hard, then a good gas shock will work well.  My favorite "cheap" shock is the KYB "Gas-A-Just". Very similar to the Bilsteins in that they are a high pressure, monotube, performance shock and come in at about 1/2 the price of the Bilsteins.  I have a set on my 93 Coupe, and they perform very well on the street and for an occasional autocross.
 
On the other hand - if you are going to be out on the track, or using it for routine autocross events, then the Bilsteins are the way to go - period. This is what comes on the Z51 equipped car and provides excellent control - I use these on my 1986 SCCA Time Trial car, which has had nothing but competition miles put on it in the last 4 years.  A bit pricey at roughly 90 bucks each - but darn well worth it when you can't afford a compromise.
 
 


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C4s: 1993 LT-1 coupe, 6-Speed, White w/black 1986 L-98 Coupe, 4+3 Trans, Satin Black w/red-black interior - SCCA Time Trial racecar.
C3: 1979 L-48 couple, auto, Red w/doeskin interior.
 
https://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14301_14400/14327/100_5963_zpse01892a52014510161358r.jpg
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Re: Shocks (11/12)
 5/6/13 1:49am
TwoCorvettes
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Garland, TX - USA

Vette(s):
I have a 1991 Artic White, Red Interior convertible, 30,000 miles on it, & a 1993 40th Anniversary with 50,000 miles on it


Joined: 1/1/2013
Posts: 37

 
   I have two C4;s, a '91 base convertible, it has tge factory biklsteins, car has 32,000 mikes and ride great. M '93 Anniversary Eddition has some brand of shocks, black in color, and I literaly can feel evry pebble in the road. If tghe road is smooth, she rides greatr, if the road is rough and on raikl road tracks, it will absolutely beat you to death. Gauses me to vent colorful verbage often!
 
   As soon as I can (have been unemployed for over a year) I am going to pull them off and throw them as far and as hard as I can. I intend to replace them with KYB since they are a little cheaper than bilstein.
 
   My thoughts on standard Monroe or other after market brands are simple, GM had train loads of shocks available. If the rode well on Corvettes, they woukld have put them on Corvettes. Then again too, if I knew diddly, I would probably be dangerous.
 
   There is my two cents on the shock subject. Welcome to hear from anyone who knows what they are talkin bout.
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Re: Shocks (12/12)
 5/7/13 8:37am
martone_1
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Fernandina, FL - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Corvette Coupe


Joined: 4/9/2012
Posts: 109

It really just depends on your prefrences. I just recently rebuilt my suspention with a kit I got online poly bushes. and I went to local parts house and got what they had in stock. Monroe I beleive. and she rides better than when I got her. I love to test her limits when I can. and she preformes better than I expected. So money or not it's just what you trust and how you drive that matters what you put the real money too.
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