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Topic: Shocking

in Forum: C3 Handling Components

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Shocking (1/18)
3/28/05 11:38am

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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition

Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

Time for me to get new shocks....

Bilsteins vs. AC Delco vs. KYB

What should I buy and why? My 79 is driven almost every day. Car is beating the snot out of me right now. I think it's still got it's first shocks in it....

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Shocking (2/18)
3/28/05 11:59am

Van Steel
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Clearwater, FL - USA

Vette(s):
...

Joined: 2/8/2005
Posts: 67

Jim,
Bilsteins are going to be your Best bet. I would take the KYB's over the Delco's if your on a budget.

Bilsteins use a digressive valving in them that react to raod conditions a lot faster than the other shocks. This in turn gives you the better ride. This shock will work w/either the steel or fiberglass spring. There are 2 different types of Bilsteins. HD and Sport. The HD's are stiffer and will run you about $250 for all 4. The Sports are the better of the 2 and give you a better ride. They run about $280 for all 4

KYB's use a different type of valving that is close to the Bilsteins. If you buy KYB's make sure you get the correct one for whichever spring you have. If you have a steel spring in the back get the Gas-A-Just. If you have a fiberglass spring or plan to go to a fiberglass spring, get the GR-2's. These shocks will run you about $150 - $160 for all 4.

Also note that the KYB's from Corvette vendors are different than the one's you buy at Summit or your local auto parts store. The KYB's that most Corvette vendor have anre valved specifically for the vettes. The other guys will sell you a "universal" if you will, shock that is not valved correctly for the vettes.

Check out this link
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=SubGroups& ;Group=19000

Dan

Shocking (3/18)
3/28/05 12:13pm

VTHokie77Vette
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Pennsville, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1977 EX-L48

Joined: 3/13/2002
Posts: 532

Another vote for Bilsteins. Great shocks!!

______________
1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's

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Shocking (4/18)
3/28/05 12:16pm

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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition

Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

Thanks Guys

I was hoping to hear from you Dan.

Just did the damn trailing arm bearing thing and now this.... .

Well, at least the tranny thing wasn't too bad.

P.S. - Van Steel, I PM'd you !

JimG38439.4049074074

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The Money Pit.... and my niece

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Shocking (5/18)
3/28/05 1:17pm

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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

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Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808

We had this disscussion B-4,My 78 had bilsteins put on it just B-4 I bought it,along with a new composite spring,I don't like the ride at all,the shocks are coming off,and getting replaced with Delco's ,my$.02

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Shocking (6/18)
3/28/05 1:29pm

SWestLT1
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Joined: 10/20/2004
Posts: 123

I just installed the bilstein sports (Corvette America for $245.00).. Great handling, especially round the North Georgia mountains.. My vote, bilsteins

Shocking (7/18)
3/28/05 1:42pm

Tumarr
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Batavia, IL - USA

Vette(s):
496 big block, Dragvette 6 link, 12 bolt IRS conversion, Going for fastest Vette IRS E/T

Joined: 3/27/2003
Posts: 622

I just installed a vette brakes suspension kit with the bilstein shocks. The ride is not the softest but it is tight and responsive. I still need take it to the cones and see how well it performs, but it is definitly much better then the old stuff that was on there. For me the vette is a sports car and should be as tight and responsive as it can be. I can drive a cadillac if I need my butt to be pampered.

Shocking (8/18)
3/28/05 2:31pm

8ty vette
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Joined: 12/31/2003
Posts: 26

I was looking into buying the KYB-GR2 from Vette Brake Products(VBP) the price for all 4 were $160.00. For the heck of it I was on the TireRack.com web sight. They where selling KYB-GR2 front and rear for $19.99 a piece. Now I know that there is a different part# for the rear if your using the fiberglass spring. But what is the differance between the GR2 from TireRack vs. all the other places that are selling them for twice as much. Also what is the difference in the valving of the GR2 made for steel vs. fiberglass rear springs.

Thanks Tom

Shocking (9/18)
3/28/05 2:57pm

Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

Vette(s):
1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried the Edelbrock IAS shocks on their car. I've read the usual glowing reviews in magazines about them, but I'd rather hear from drivers here who live with their cars day in and out.

I like Edelbrock products, and though not in need of shocks on my cars right now, I'd just like to get some feedback on these...they are on the pricey side and would like to know if they're worth it.

Shocking (10/18)
3/28/05 3:03pm

knotacare
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Newark, DE - USA

Vette(s):
1968 Conv, 454HO,500HP-600TQ, TKO-600,3:70 HD rear,hotrod air, custom paint & suspension,1973 Ruby Red,T-top, 383 Stroker, TK)-500,frame off restro, 1967 Dodge Coronet, 340 stroker to 406, Dana 60

Joined: 7/26/2004
Posts: 463

Replaced my KYB's last year with Bilstein's and it was worth every cent. Much better ride and handling.

Alan

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Shocking (11/18)
3/28/05 3:40pm

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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

The fiberglass spring have more bounce, so the shocks have a bit more damping to compensate.

Shocking (12/18)
3/29/05 8:41am

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Grand Blanc, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.

Joined: 8/7/2002
Posts: 544

I put a 330# composite spring from VB&P on the car a couple years ago with the original shocks, and felt sort of like you do. Researching the shocks situation lead me to use the KYB's due to the damping rate of the spring. Sure, I looked at Bilsteins too, but for the money I couldn't "see" that there would be much difference, and since I've never owned a car with Bilsteins on it I can't make a comparison. But, I can tell you I am happy with the KYB's, and I think you would be also.

It all comes down to how deep your wallet is, or what other do-dad you can live without for a while in order to purchase the more expensive item this time around.

Shocking (13/18)
3/29/05 8:48am

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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition

Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

I've heard bad things about the composite springs. I've heard they don't settle right and the car looks jacked up in the back. I've also heard they get brittle in the cold ? Oh well, I'm not too worried about weight any way, if I was I'd lose weight myself.

I ordered the Bilstein shocks, look forward to getting them.

Jim

JimG38440.2561805556

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Lifetime Member #73

The Money Pit.... and my niece

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Shocking (14/18)
3/29/05 12:45pm

Van Steel
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Clearwater, FL - USA

Vette(s):
...

Joined: 2/8/2005
Posts: 67

[QUOTE=8ty vette]

I was looking into buying the KYB-GR2 from Vette Brake Products(VBP) the price for all 4 were $160.00. For the heck of it I was on the TireRack.com web sight. They where selling KYB-GR2 front and rear for $19.99 a piece. Now I know that there is a different part# for the rear if your using the fiberglass spring. But what is the differance between the GR2 from TireRack vs. all the other places that are selling them for twice as much. Also what is the difference in the valving of the GR2 made for steel vs. fiberglass rear springs.

Thanks Tom

[/QUOTE]

As I mentioned in the above post, the KYB's from corvette vendors are valved differently than the ones that the corvette warehouses sell. They are valved to react to raod conditions a lot faster. The ones that Tirerack & Summit sell are pretty much just a universal shock that can fit many other applications. A lot of R&R was done with KYB to get these valved correctly.

Shocking (15/18)
4/7/05 10:24am

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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition

Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

Installed the new Bilsteins yesterday...I'm impressed. I'm going to ride down some bumpy. windy country roads today on the way to get the tires balanced. But so far, it's a marked difference and an impressive change.

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Lifetime Member #73

The Money Pit.... and my niece

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Shocking (16/18)
4/20/05 9:20am

Van Steel
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Clearwater, FL - USA

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Joined: 2/8/2005
Posts: 67

Shocking (17/18)
4/20/05 9:48am

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Eagleville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79

Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 17658

Here's a clickable link to what Van Steel mentioned above.

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-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Shocking (18/18)
4/20/05 10:49am

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Gloucester, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition

Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453

BTW,

The ride is awesome and my butt doesn't feel like it's riding the pavement anymore. I think it was worth the extra $$$ to buy the good ones.

Jim

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Lifetime Member #73

The Money Pit.... and my niece

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