Question about shocks

[JEFNLSA]

I'm replacing my base (FE1) Bilsteins w/ 4 new shocks. Will the Z51 (Bilstein)shocks (Ecklers, Mid America etc...sell) work on my car and what can I expect from the switch.

Any other recommendations would be helpful, as I am trying to stiffen her up a bit. I have around $300 to spend for 4, maybe a little more if need be.

Thx,
Jeff

 

[cfour93]

I put KYB's on mine and for me they are stiff enough and also present a great highway ride.

 

[JEFNLSA]

C'mon guys, I need some input here.

I'm ready to buy and I don't want to jump to quick.

 

[tlong]

They'll fit and work fine. The valving corresponds to the heavier leaf spring rate for the Z51. But... sometimes stiffer doesn't translate into better control as the articulation of the supension is hindered with hard shocks, and can cause a hop and skip.

My FE1 responded nicely with new standard Bilsteins. It can still jar your kidneys but handles great. You should hear from people with soft springs/hard shock combos soon. Another few thousand $ and you'll have that thing right!!!!!!!!!

 

[Billybeau1]

I havent changed shocks yet but looking through the forum, many people seem to like the KYB's. Go to KYB.com and check em out. Do a little research and you'll make the right decision.

 

[WradDad]

Jeff,

I replaced my FE1 Bilsteins with the same shocks you're looking at, the Z51 items. I use my car as my daily driver, and weekend track weapon. The Z51 shocks can be a bit jarring on an uneven road, but it's something I can live with for the benefit I get from them on the track. I have also upgraded the sway bars, which can also contibute to the jarring.

Barry

 

[JEFNLSA]

Jeff,

I replaced my FE1 Bilsteins with the same shocks you're looking at, the Z51 items. I use my car as my daily driver, and weekend track weapon. The Z51 shocks can be a bit jarring on an uneven road, but it's something I can live with for the benefit I get from them on the track. I have also upgraded the sway bars, which can also contibute to the jarring.

Barry

Thx for the reply...

Sway bars are down the line...but not too far

For now it's just shocks. Would you recommend the Z51 shocks over the KYB's for a stiffer ride? AND, are you sure that the Z51 shocks will work on my FE1 equipped car?

Thx,
Jeff

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

They will work ok, just be aware of the advice that has been posted above. Thunder has competition springs, bars and shocks but the ride is not that bad because everything is working together.

Suspension should be looked at as a total package. For example GM really got it wrong on the Pontiac van. It is over sprung and has soft struts. At less than 5 months old I am replacing the stock struts and shocks with Koni adjustable ones bought from Tire Rack.

My son has had the KYBs on the 82 for a few years now and he is happy with them.

I have also heard that Bilstein will rebuild your shocks and valve them to be a bit stiffer. Does anybody here know it this is a fact?

 

[tlong]

Yes they will rebuild but new ones are about the same price. Methinks the stiffer shock would be uncomfortable as mine is occasionally rudely harsh with FE1. Of course it all depends on what you want to do with the car, and if you care about loose fillings and weird "Oh My God" glances from the co-pilot.

The standards kept me on the Tail of the Dragon at 1.1 Gs with confident control and no roll whatsoever. This suspension would be considered very stiff relative to others in its class.

Maybe the QA1 adjustable would be the optimum choice if $ are no object.

 

[354RwHpLT4CE]

shocks

I have Koni adjustables,I love them,but they are kinda pricey.The Bilsteins are good too though.

 

[354RwHpLT4CE]

Yes they will rebuild but new ones are about the same price. Methinks the stiffer shock would be uncomfortable as mine is occasionally rudely harsh with FE1. Of course it all depends on what you want to do with the car, and if you care about loose fillings and weird "Oh My God" glances from the co-pilot.

The standards kept me on the Tail of the Dragon at 1.1 Gs with confident control and no roll whatsoever. This suspension would be considered very stiff relative to others in its class.

Maybe the QA1 adjustable would be the optimum choice if $ are no object.

QA1's!!!:dance

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I like the T.P.I.S. shocks. These are advertised in both the Corvette Central and MidAmerica catalogs, but you can buy them directly from the company, too. I have worked with suspension modifications a great deal, and these shocks give the car a good, "flat" ride---that is, they don't jar the suspension and cause the car to skip, nor are they soft and floaty. They are also very inexpensive, which is nice for a change. So many times with our cars there are certain brands of products that everyone automatically steers you to. Bilsteins and KYBs are a case in point in shocks. It often pays to try something new. For example, if you're looking for tires, everyone steers you to TireRack---which is a very good company---but if you do a little research you will be amazed at just how many great brands of tires are NOT offered on TireRack.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[JEFNLSA]

Thx for the responses folks...

After reading these as well as a thorough scan of the SEARCH engine for shocks I decided to go w/ the KYB's. They are highly rated and you can't beat the price.

I'm going to take the advice of others here and have my Bilsteins revalved for more aggressive driving but in the interim...it's KYB for me.

Thx again,
Jeff

BTW...I also ordered the lowering kit. Inexpensive and drops the car about an inch. Anybody here have any experience w/ this?

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Thx for the responses folks...

After reading these as well as a thorough scan of the SEARCH engine for shocks I decided to go w/ the KYB's. They are highly rated and you can't beat the price.

I'm going to take the advice of others here and have my Bilsteins revalved for more aggressive driving but in the interim...it's KYB for me.

Thx again,
Jeff

BTW...I also ordered the lowering kit. Inexpensive and drops the car about an inch. Anybody here have any experience w/ this?

Sounds good and lots of fun. Let us know what you think of the KYBs. Incidentally, you mention that they were "highly rated"---Did you find some site that actually rated them against competitors? If so, could you let us know?

As to revalving the Bilsteins, I called the people at Bilstein recommended on this forum on at least one, maybe two separate occasions several months ago as "the" persons to call about revalving and also the FX-3 system, generally, and had to leave voice messages asking for them to call me back about questions I had on the FX-3 system. The message(s) I left concerned parts, costs and availability, rather than telling them I was going to send them shocks to be redone. Anyway, I did not get a reply, and, frankly, it really left a bad taste in my mouth (it sort of reminded me of one of those situations where GM or their suppliers leaves their customers up the creek). I am just glad that you can simply disconnect the FX-3 and use regular shocks. Perhaps since you are sending them work they will be more responsive, but I would advise you to be persistent.

I also had a question about the lowering kits: What I have been told is that lowering the rear is simple (much like my old C3), but be careful to keep the u-joint angle fairly parallel to avoid wear and other problems. The tougher part may be lowering the front, so you should check around on the forum for previous postings. It should look good, though!

/s/ Chris Kennedy

 

[Hrtbeat1]

Hey Jeff,


DaHawaiianPunch is the CAC resident lowering expert. The rears you just have to get a longer bolt. Grade 8, 1/2" - 13 X 10 or 11 inches. R&R the old with the new. I picked up nylon insert lock nuts when I got my bolts.

You will have to get him to explain the front. He showed me but I can't really describe it.

 

[JEFNLSA]

Chris,

I guess what I meant to say was "highly recommended" as opposed to "highly rated". All the CAC members w/ the KYB's seem to think they're a great shock for the price and that they gave them the ride quality they were looking for.

I've followed this same buying plan for my exhaust, air-intake etc...and I haven't been let down by these guys yet.

Thx CAC!

I'll keep ya' posted on the lowering part as it appears to be fairly easy w/ the "kit". An inch drop outta look sweet!

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

When you lower it, measure the front spoiler first.....Mine is a Pace Car and I don't have enough clearance to take on a 1" drop....It already drags on everything...and as for the shocks, I am still running the factory orignals and they are working fine
Mike

 

[froggy47]

QA1's


This, to me, is a no brainer. For a few dollars more YOU get to adjust the shocks for crusin or for track.

 

[WhalePirot]

Sorry to hear about our legal eagle getting ignored by Bilstein. My service was excellent and the advice was right-on. I like the ride on this roughest-riding-Corvette-ever-built Z-51 more than anytime in my 20+ years of ownership; enough to have taken back a Z51 C-6.

I also ordered the lowering kit. Inexpensive and drops the car about an inch. Anybody here have any experience w/ this?

I lowered my car about 18 years ago, when I did the rest of the suspension. You almost get used to the scraping after a while.

I don't know how you get 1" out of removing a pair of roughly 1/2" thick rubber spacers, from the front spring mount. I redid my front using the poly wedge because it was too low for the street w/o a spacer.

 

[Achilles]

Thx for the reply...

Sway bars are down the line...but not too far

For now it's just shocks. Would you recommend the Z51 shocks over the KYB's for a stiffer ride? AND, are you sure that the Z51 shocks will work on my FE1 equipped car?

Thx,
Jeff

I just put new Bilsteins on my Z51 and it made an unbelievable difference. Talk to Corvette Brake Products (800) 237-9991. They will match anybodies price plus offer club members a discount. BTW, mine are Bilstein Sport Shocks which I understand a re better than the original Z51 shock.