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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Corvette / May 2005C4 needs shocks - recommendations??
Hello all, My 87 coupe just turned 70K miles and needs new shocks. It has the Z52 (not Z51) package. It has what I believe are the original Delco-Bilstein shocks. Fuguring that there are others who've put new shocks on their C4 this season, I thought I'd troll to see what recommendations are out there. What are the good choices and which to stay away from? Any other considerations?? Thanks in advance for your time and help. Ed B. It has what I believe are the original Delco-Bilstein shocks. But they are expensive - Try Pep Boys or other auto parts house. Bilsteins are good, but I bought Gabriels at Pep Boys for $100, all four corners, guaranteed for life. I replace them every 30,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first, whether they need it or not. The ride quality is same as I remember from when the Bilsteins were in good shape. I have about 99K on my toy now, on my 3rd set of shocks. Charlie > Hello all, > > My 87 coupe just turned 70K miles and needs new shocks. It has the Z52 (not > Z51) package. But they are > expensive - It has what I believe are the original Delco-Bilstein shocks. > Fuguring that there are others who've put new shocks on their C4 this > season, I thought I'd troll to see what recommendations are out there. What [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Ed B. i put a set of napa branded shocks on my 87, they are private labeled monroes and seem to work just fine and they were less than $100 >It has what I believe are the original Delco-Bilstein shocks. But they are >expensive - [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >> >> Ed B. I put the Mid-America Corvette's custom valved for C4 shocks on my '94 Ragtop and I highly recommend them. >Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >  SignatureRic Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove –SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson hOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE THE SHOCKS? I t looks easy enough but that is one thing I have not done > I put the Mid-America Corvette's custom valved for C4 shocks on my '94 > Ragtop [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > "Homer no function beer well without." > - H.J. Simpson No problem at all. Just put the car up on jackstands or do one corner at a time. The top of the shock will have just one nut on the shaft, you might have to get a 1/4in wrench on the shaft to keep it from spinning with the nut. Or vice grips work just fine (at the top end of the shock shaft) But you need to have the wheel off the ground and the tire removed. With the gas shock you won't be able to get it off if the corner isn't off the ground (the suspension on the corner extended). And on the front shocks there is a nut on the lower bolts that is recessed into the lower control arm on the bottom, so put a socket on it or your lower bolts will just spin with you. It's really a gravy job and a nice afternoon of messing with your Vette. And while your there you can paint the calipers and the rotor hats (centers) if you have wheels that show the brakes. I used to use BBQ paint on them til I used the 2 Part Epoxy (there is a certain brand I researched if, you are interested I'll pull out my receipts and let you know the brand, there is a difference), Red on the Calipers and Process Blue on the rotor hats. You get a couple GOOD brushes to apply, no spraying or brake removal. You can barely see the brakes in this pic. http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/r/_/r_seyler/quarterview2.jpg http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/r/_/r_seyler/quarterview.jpg > hOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE THE SHOCKS? I t looks easy enough but that is one >thing I have not done [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > > SignatureRic Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove -SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson Brand of paint would be much appreciated. Also, what did you use to clean the calipers before painting. My last caliper painting drill didn't hold up. Paul H. > No problem at all. Just put the car up on jackstands or do one corner at > a time. [quoted text clipped - 86 lines] >> >> Got it at Tire Rack, 4/26/04 G2 Caliper Paint Kit. 2 Part Epoxy And it still is flawless. So far so good. :-) > Brand of paint would be much appreciated. Also, what did you use to > clean the calipers before painting. My last caliper painting drill > didn't hold up. SignatureRic Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove –SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson Great-- thanks much. Paul H > Got it at Tire Rack, 4/26/04 > G2 Caliper Paint Kit. 2 Part Epoxy [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >> clean the calipers before painting. My last caliper painting drill >> didn't hold up. Thanks ric. It does look easy but I was wondering if I was overlooking something. No problem at all. Just put the car up on jackstands or do one corner at a time. The top of the shock will have just one nut on the shaft, you might have to get a 1/4in wrench on the shaft to keep it from spinning with the nut. Or vice grips work just fine (at the top end of the shock shaft) But you need to have the wheel off the ground and the tire removed. With the gas shock you won't be able to get it off if the corner isn't off the ground (the suspension on the corner extended). And on the front shocks there is a nut on the lower bolts that is recessed into the lower control arm on the bottom, so put a socket on it or your lower bolts will just spin with you. It's really a gravy job and a nice afternoon of messing with your Vette. And while your there you can paint the calipers and the rotor hats (centers) if you have wheels that show the brakes. I used to use BBQ paint on them til I used the 2 Part Epoxy (there is a certain brand I researched if, you are interested I'll pull out my receipts and let you know the brand, there is a difference), Red on the Calipers and Process Blue on the rotor hats. You get a couple GOOD brushes to apply, no spraying or brake removal. You can barely see the brakes in this pic. http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/r/_/r_seyler/quarterview2.jpg http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/r/_/r_seyler/quarterview.jpg JOEVET wrote: hOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE THE SHOCKS? I t looks easy enough but that is one thing I have not done "RicSeyler" <ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net> wrote in message news:JMQfe.17099$yq3.1085@bignews1.bellsouth.net... I put the Mid-America Corvette's custom valved for C4 shocks on my '94 Ragtop and I highly recommend them. Ed Berns wrote: Hello all, My 87 coupe just turned 70K miles and needs new shocks. It has the Z52 (not Z51) package. It has what I believe are the original Delco-Bilstein shocks. Fuguring that there are others who've put new shocks on their C4 this season, I thought I'd troll to see what recommendations are out there. What are the good choices and which to stay away from? Any other considerations?? Thanks in advance for your time and help. Ed B. -- Ric Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove -SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson SignatureRic Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove -SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson >hOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE THE SHOCKS? It's really not that tough. Mostly take nuts loose, remember where they went, put replacement parts back in the same general orientation as the old part, and reinstall the nuts. The bigger issue is choosing the right beer and having enough on hand. For changing shocks, I like a Pilsner chilled to 38 F in a proper Pilsner glass. For replacing a cam or pulling heads off the toy, a Porter or other heavier beer in a mug works well. :o) Charlie > hOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE THE SHOCKS? I t looks easy enough but that is one > thing I have not done [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > "Homer no function beer well without." > > - H.J. Simpson Hi all, Thanks for the recommendations and feedback -- very helpful! I'm going to explore my options in this area (Connecticut) and will post what I find out if anyone is interested. My takeaway from your responses is that I shouldn't necessarily be married to the idea of Bilsteins as you've had good success with the aftermarket shocks. Best regards, Ed B. > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Ed B. I'd say if you are going to do some autocrossing stay with the Bilsteins. Probably less prone to shock fading on long track runs. But if your street oriented I like the Mid America custom valved shocks. Not as harsh, but definitely not soft. >Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > > SignatureRic Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove -SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson i had my bilsteins rebuilt by them (san diego). if you tell them you autox, they can put in custom valving. regards, charlie cave creek, az I'd say if you are going to do some autocrossing stay with the Bilsteins. Probably less prone to shock fading on long track runs. But if your street oriented I like the Mid America custom valved shocks. Not as harsh, but definitely not soft. Ed Berns wrote: Hi all, Thanks for the recommendations and feedback -- very helpful! I'm going to explore my options in this area (Connecticut) and will post what I find out if anyone is interested. My takeaway from your responses is that I shouldn't necessarily be married to the idea of Bilsteins as you've had good success with the aftermarket shocks. Best regards, Ed B. Hello all, My 87 coupe just turned 70K miles and needs new shocks. It has the Z52 (not Z51) package. It has what I believe are the original Delco-Bilstein shocks. Fuguring that there are others who've put new shocks on their C4 this season, I thought I'd troll to see what recommendations are out there. What are the good choices and which to stay away from? Any other considerations?? Thanks in advance for your time and help. Ed B. SignatureRic Seyler Online Racing: RicSeyler GPL Handicap 6.35 ricseyler@SPAMgulf.net http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler remove -SPAM- from email address -------------------------------------- "Homer no function beer well without." - H.J. Simpson All, You guys are great!! Ed > Hi all, > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > > > Ed B. > Ed Bernswrote Hello all > My 87 coupe just turned 70K miles and needs new shocks. It has th Z52 (no > Z51) package. It has what I believe are the original Delco-Bilstei shocks > Fuguring that there are others who've put new shocks on their C thi > season, I thought I'd troll to see what recommendations are ou there. Wha > are the good choices and which to stay away from? Any othe considerations? > Thanks in advance for your time and help > > Ed B There is a dealer in Laurel Montana by the name of Ken Fitchner wh participates on the Corvette Forum He and his staff give special discounts on parts to Corvette junkie so it might be worth your time to give them a call and see what kin of deal they can work for yo You probably could call information for that area or ask someone ove at the CF Good luc Ed- I have always used Gabriels from Pep Boyz. Last time around I opted for the famed much revered Bilstein's. Save your money. Saw zero difference, except the cost. Now, I'm sure the purists will disagree that when doing a 100' radius curve at 160 mph on a road full of potholes there is an advantage. But the laughable part vof that arguement is that MOST people drive on some side roads thru traffic light controlled intersections, and /or on freeways/tollways, basically a straight line. But shock choice is smewhat personal preference, and almost a religious decision. -GeorgeC 92 Red/Red LT-1 > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Ed B. Hi GeorgeC, Well, I had just about decided to go with the Bilsteins -- until I read your post! Now I'm back to (re)considering the lower-priced spreads: KYB and Delco. But, frankly, this is exactly the type of info I wanted when I posted. Thanks for taking the time to provide your experience. Ed B. > Ed- > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > > > Ed B. |
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