Question: Ya Ya Shocks Again

[Marv02]

Help me.
Koni's or Bilsteins
I know there both good shocks but with one has a better ride to them.
I have a 1986 Vette.
I don't want a stiff riding car
Hows thoses Tokico.
I had a friend that had KYB They blew a seal out of them under a year I dont want them.
The car has a set of OLD Monrows on them I don't how old at least 10 years. they were on the car when I got it 6 months ago.

 

[catbert]

I had an 87 with Bilsteins. Good ride, and autocross capable.

 

[nelson84]

I had bilstiens on my 84 vette they were really stiff I went with edelbrock IAS shocks on it now. My 85 vette needs shocks, have not decided which ones to get.

 

[boomdriver]

Help me.
Koni's or Bilsteins
I know there both good shocks but with one has a better ride to them.
I have a 1986 Vette.
I don't want a stiff riding car
Hows thoses Tokico.
I had a friend that had KYB They blew a seal out of them under a year I dont want them.
The car has a set of OLD Monrows on them I don't how old at least 10 years. they were on the car when I got it 6 months ago.

Absolutely no doubt about it.....Bilsteins are the better shock.


because Bilsteins have "progressive dampening" as a base feature that gives a soft response the 1st portion of travel and gets progressively harder as they compress. They have a floating valve that allows the dampening oil to move with the shock.

Bilsteins are more durable. I've seen 'steins that were 15 yrs old that still kept their gas charge and rebounded.

Bilsteins are completely rebuildable....and they can be set up ANY way that you want when you send them in for rebuild. track, sport, touring, city driving...just tell the factory and they send them back. I think the base Bilstein shock has at least 3 different "set-ups".. Cost are comparable to buying new shocks for having your old ones over-hauled. I think the warranty is longer as well.

I have a set of KYB on the car now that I really dont care for with the original '84 z-51 springs. Its just too harsh. When I had Bilsteins on there it was at least able to soften the smaller bumps in the road. There is no dampening with the KYB.
KYB will cost about $25 each if you install. Bilstein will be $75 each...or a bit more. But, worth the extra money IMHO.
I plan on having my Bilsteins rebuilt and set up to my liking rather than buy throw-aways that are uncomfortable.


KYB is short for Kill Your Back.

 

[nelson84]

Which bilstiens to get? The HD or the sport? What would be best for a Z51 vette and what would be best for a non Z51 vette?

 

[boomdriver]

Which bilstiens to get? The HD or the sport? What would be best for a Z51 vette and what would be best for a non Z51 vette?

That is completely dependent on what spring you have in your rear suspension. If its early Z-51 and around 400 lbs/inch the shocks barely get to move. If the spring is softer in the 250-300lb range, the dampening effect will be more noticable, but then it a matter of what you can live with. I think even soft Bilsteins have better ride control because they just absorb the jolts a little better without allowing the suspension to be too soft and mushy. I'm ready to get rid of my hard spring and get something move civil with a medium to soft set of Bilsteins for a daily driver. The hard suspension was fun when I did'nt have to drive it....

Check out the Bilstein web site and maybe give them a call. They describe their product and service there with some cost.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/

 

[Marv02]

The bilstiens sound good but I looking hard at the Koni's you can adjusted them.

And for $130.00 more I mite go that way.

I need to save some more Vett funds built back up.

I already have more than I want in to the motor build.

 

[catbert]

Which bilstiens to get? The HD or the sport? What would be best for a Z51 vette and what would be best for a non Z51 vette?

The heavy duty is best for non modified suspensions. IMHO