C4 Shocks Gas charged mono tubes or monroe oil ones?

[CorvetteMatthew]

what is the difference and benefits over a basic gabriel or monroe $35 oil filled shcok compared to a gas charged KYB or even a Bilstein that costs double to triple? not worried about longevity, what is the ride difference or the performance difference? I am assuming the cheaper gabriels or monroes are smoother riding and will not last as long, and the gas charged are tighter and will ride rougher or sportier than the oil charged ones?

I have factory Bilsteins on right now, they are whipped super bad :bash I mean toast, thought new cheapo's like monroe would be fine as I have 17x13 rear rims with 335/35/17 Michelin Pilot sport ps2 tires on them, so handling is already incredible, Looking for someone who has experienced this dilemma, what are my options, thanks ;help

 

[Hib Halverson]

If you think you can get away with cheap shocks becuase you have a high end tire package...man do you misunderstand ride and handing.

I think I'd bone-up on ride-and-handing theory then revisit the decision on shocks.

There are many good books on the subject at places like SADesign or Motorbooks.

 

[CROOZ1N]

I have also heard that Bilstein will rebuild your factory shocks.
Can anyone confirm this?
At what cost I am not sure but that may be a better option than throwing away money on cheapo shocks. Unless you put the cheapos on while having the Bilsteins redone.

 

[CorvetteMatthew]

If you think you can get away with cheap shocks becuase you have a high end tire package...man do you misunderstand ride and handing.

I think I'd bone-up on ride-and-handing theory then revisit the decision on shocks.

There are many good books on the subject at places like SADesign or Motorbooks.

I never said anything about buying cheap shocks, I merely presented a question, I have plenty of cornering performance with my suspension and tire package, beleive me, I also have too harsh of ride and considered the non gas shocks to soften the ride, obviously money has nothing to do with my cars, I buy the most expensive tire made, money is no object, but I also want to enjoy the ride, I do not race on a track, so would prefer answering the question, not everyone buys a corvette with the sole purpose of track racing.

The shock has nothong to do with shock anyway, it controls the dapening of the springs, the bound and rebound of the springs and should really not affect performance anyway, just looking for OWNERS who have done both, or opinions from oil charged guys, and oil charged with nitrogen instead of oxygeon, both shocks use oil, but the gas charged use nitrogen instead of air, the only difference, but thats for your comment...

 

[G Winter]

I will say I have gotten to dislike Monroe shocks. They have variable valving in them and respond very slowly. The car is nearly out of control by the time they take ahold and do anything.

Glenn

 

[CorvetteMatthew]

buying the edelbrock

the edelbrock is high pressure gas but will give smoother ride than bilsteins, so $150 each is small price to pay for some comfort since 85 was stiffest suspension ever in a corvette, the whole idea was to improve ride quality, not a track car anyway.. the oil charged monroe and gabriel are to mushy from what I have read, yes smoother ride but sacraficing performance, and with 335 meats on back, should stcik with gas shcoks, thanks

 

[CROOZ1N]

I have Edelbrocks on mine as well but since that's what came on the car when I bought it I have nothing to compare to. Whenever I hit a hole in the road I definitely feel it and sometimes it seems I can feel every gravel on the pavement as well.

 

[Baldie88]

I switched out my Bilsteins with KYBs and couldn't be happier. But I did keep the Bilsteins in case I want to put it back to original condition. Only 51K on the car.

Ron
"Baldie88"

 

[Brian Smith]

I had Monroes on my car when first purchased and there was no telling how many miles on that set. I do know that hitting a gentle bump on the highway at 85 MPH caused a rubber smoke smell inside the car after the rear tires hit the top of the wheelhouses. When removed they easily were compressed and extended by hand.

I then started searching for shocks. I am kind of thrifty and found what I thought was a good deal once I decided on a brand and part number. The attached spreadsheet represents an number of vendors prices on comparable fit (not neccesarily performance) shocks. This was from about four months ago but should be represenative.

The KYBs are great shocks on my 1993 Coupe!

If you cut and past this into Excel it should be viewable.


Vendor Manufacurer P# Front $ each P# Rear $ Each P# Set $ Ext Cost
Covette Central KYB KYB-KG5570 $49.99 KYB-KG5571 $49.99 n/a $199.96
Bilstein BSN-F4B462055H0 $84.99 BSN-F4B462056H0 $84.99 46641 $299.99 $339.96
Koni KON-8241-1097SPT KON-8241-1098SPT $-
IAS IAS 3340 IAS 3440 $-

Volunteer Vette KYB KYB-KG5570 $49.00 KYB-KG5571 $49.00 $196.00
Bilstein BSN-F4B462055H0 n/a BSN-F4B462056H0 n/a $-
Koni KON-8241-1097SPT n/a KON-8241-1098SPT n/a $-
IAS IAS 3340 n/a IAS 3440 n/a $-

Jeggs KYB KYB-KG5570 $39.99 KYB-KG5571 $39.99 $159.96
Bilstein BSN-F4B462055H0 n/a BSN-F4B462056H0 n/a $-
Koni KON-8241-1097SPT n/a KON-8241-1098SPT n/a $-
IAS IAS 3340 $132.99 IAS 3440 $122.99 $511.96

Summit KYB KYB-KG5570 $38.95 KYB-KG5571 $38.95 $155.80
Bilstein BSN-F4B462055H0 $89.95 BSN-F4B462056H0 $81.95 $343.80
Koni KON-8241-1097SPT $173.95 KON-8241-1098SPT $173.95 $695.80
IAS IAS 3340 $129.95 IAS 3440 $119.95 $499.80

Advance Auto Parts KYB KYB-KG5570 $56.99 KYB-KG5571 $51.99 $217.96
Bilstein BSN-F4B462055H0 n/a BSN-F4B462056H0 n/a $-
Koni KON-8241-1097SPT n/a KON-8241-1098SPT n/a $-
IAS IAS 3340 $131.99 IAS 3440 $119.95 $503.88

PartsTrain KYB KYB-KG5570 $35.53 KYB-KG5571 $37.83 $146.72
Bilstein W0133-1608802 $88.95 W0133-1608823 $88.95 $355.80
Koni KON-8241-1097SPT n/a KON-8241-1098SPT n/a $-
IAS IAS 3340 $149.78 IAS 3440 $136.20 $571.96
automotix.net KYB KYB-KG5570 $32.36 KYB-KG5571 $32.77 $130.26
AJUSA KYB KYB-KG5570 $34.97 KYB-KG5571 $32.97 $135.88
Bilstein BSN-F4B462055H0 $82.64 BSN-F4B462056H0 $82.64 $330.56
Koni KON-8241-1097SPT $161.04 KON-8241-1098SPT $161.04 $644.16
IAS IAS 3340 $129.95 IAS 3440 $119.95 $499.80
Tokico HE3725 $71.40 HE3724 $69.62 $282.04

 

[CorvetteMatthew]

follow up

I had Monroes on my car when first purchased and there was no telling how many miles on that set. I do know that hitting a gentle bump on the highway at 85 MPH caused a rubber smoke smell inside the car after the rear tires hit the top of the wheelhouses. When removed they easily were compressed and extended by hand.

I then started searching for shocks. I am kind of thrifty and found what I thought was a good deal once I decided on a brand and part number. The attached spreadsheet represents an number of vendors prices on comparable fit (not neccesarily performance) shocks. This was from about four months ago but should be represenative.

The KYBs are great shocks on my 1993 Coupe!


Thanks Brian, I have been to all those sites and seen them, price is not a big deal, have 6 figure bank account, what was bothering me was the hard ride, 1985 was the only car in american history and still was until 2007 the viper broke that mark by a smidge, it was the only car to ever pull a 1.00 G on the skidpath, and with 255/50/16 tires at that, I have 335/35/17 and michelin pilots at that, back to what I was saying, the 85 was the hardest ride to get that performance, owners complained and from 1986-1991 they got softer and softer til the 91 pulled .91g on skidpath, so I have this harsh performance suspension with blown out bilsteins, and I was just trying to see if it was worth it to goto a softer shock, I do not track race or race at all really, so was looking for comfort in older age, if they made a soft riding shock for $300 and it was worth it, I would buy it.

It boils doen to much to ones taste and opinions, allot are younger and race oriented, or figure you have to buy a performance shock, I agree for a gas shock KYB is a awesome buy, and I ordered edelbrocks and may cancel as I have heard now they are real harsh. I want less performance to get a better ride, my filling fall out now with blown shocks, funny those old monroes were easily calapsable, my $110 bilsteins also collapsed, any old shock will, the new monroes would not calapse I bet, I know I tried in NAPA to do it. during hard driving, the oil will foam due to oxygeon in the shock, the gas shocks still have that oil, but use Nitrogeon instead of Oxygeon thats all, and this keeps the oil from foaming and losing its damping capabilities, which may not even happen during regular driving. I think I am buying the KYB and the Monroe, and I may do a follow up for everyone out there, since no one could really tell me, if your a racer, get the best, but if you want to take care of the car and not abuse it, and enjoy a better ride, there may be an alternative? I will get back to everyone on what I find out, thanks for everyones input...

 

[sweabe]

If you are not into racing I can recommend ACDelco (gas shocks).
Part numbers: 530-42 Front, 530-37 Rear.

 

[CorvetteMatthew]

AC Delco Shocks Discontinued for 85 vettes

If you are not into racing I can recommend ACDelco (gas shocks).
Part numbers: 530-42 Front, 530-37 Rear.

Been to dealer and for 9 years they have been discontinued, they can only get KYB and not even the delco bilsteins either. I can get just about anything made, the problem this thread was started for was an available shock that gave a more comfortable ride, my 94 ZR1 rides so smooth and my 2002 even better, like I said the 84 and 85 were race car suspensions and stiff as concrete, every year they softened and still owners complained of harsh ride, thought about putting 1992 shocks on, but I am putting KYB on first, driving a few days, then putting Monroe sensa tracks on for few days, and will decide and report finding back. I do most of my own work, labor is not in question, but I am sure there are many owners out there who drive there cars on public roads for enjoyment and not race on the track who may find this interesting? it is the least I can do, since not much feedback was achieved on this thread that it can be of some benefit for those who may find this helpful.

This site is awesome, most everyone is helpful and have learned allot here, and appreciate everyones opinion, cheers all

 

[Rex S]

Bilstein does rebuild their shocks and it's roughly 50% of new, turnaround was about two weeks and they will modify the ride controll settings if you wish. We had a bunch more rebound put into the front shocks as we ORR the 93 and at 140 and up the front end tended to feel weird and bouncy, after the rebuild they work right.

 

[sweabe]

Part numbers: 530-42 Front, 530-37 Rear. I got these from the local GM dealer over here in Sweden last fall (2008)

 

[CorvetteMatthew]

Sweeden is a long way for me to get stock shocks.. Here in america, or at least las vegas, they have been long gone, i can get part numbers from local dealer, just no parts, discontinued but part number is in the system, really not a big deal, got the kyb on and they are pretty good, better than the bilsteins. Will try for 5 days or so and then put the monroes on and compare for 5 days, like i said will update what i find out..

 

[Brian Smith]

Matthew, I am nearing 60 and do enjoy my comfort and the KYBs satisfy that requirement very well. When hitting bumps they handle it very well without the jarring I have experienced in years past with stiff "racing" shocks. I drive mine every day on surface streets most of the time and it is a joy. The most immediate change I noticed was when pulling in the driveway. My chin spoiler doesn't hit due to shock compression.

I saw a program on TV (on Two Guys Garage on Spike I think) this last weekend where they discussed the engineering differences between single and dual tube shocks. Mostly in reference to off road trucking. Paid little attention but the aerasolizing of the hydraulic fluid (into the gas )was more likely with the two tube system degrading shock performance. Now I don't intend to run that damn race in Baja so I am not concerned.

 

[CorvetteArchives]

.....for some comfort since 85 was stiffest suspension ever in a corvette,

Guess you never drove a 84 with Z51
I too have the Edelbrocks and they have improved ride with decent handling but are a bit less predictable than the Bilsteins. With Bilsteins I could better anticipate bump steer and warn my Kidney to brace for impact sooner.

 

[WhalePirot]

Guess you never drove a 84 with Z51

Mine rides great (even according to 'civilians') with Bilstein-rebuilt originals, done to Challenge specs while still handling as well. The car has NO rubber in the suspension with heim-jointed rear and poly replacing all else.

After two leaky sets of Monroes on my Vette, they are not on my radar for anything. At least they refunded my money after the second set.