New Shocks - I'm Torn

Z

ZaneO

New member
Well, my Camaro is *way* past due for a set of shocks.



I have lowering springs, which really narrows my choices. In reality, there are only two options - Koni single adjustables ($700+) or revalved Bilsteins ($500+). I could go with regular Bilstein HDs, but they are not recommended for lowering springs (on f-bodies), but I could pick them up for under $300.



That's where I'm torn. I really do like purchasing the correct parts, but I'm having a hard time dealing with more than double the price. The Bilstein HDs would work, but they would not be optimum.



What do you think?
 
I run KYB AGX right now but I've never heard a bad thing about Bilsteins. In fact, I've heard soo much good that pretty much any vehicle further will be fitted if I lower.
 
If you plan on keeping your car for a while, go with the revalved bilsteins. If you go the cheap route, it would work fine for a bit, but knowing that your car is lowered, the cheapo shocks would eventually blowout sooner than the shocks that were made for lowered cars.
 
Generally, Bilstein HDs are great for many vehicle types, but for f-bodies, the catalog specifically says, "Not suited for lowering springs."



F-bodies are unlucky in the sense that out of all shock brands, Koni and Bilstein (revalved) are really the only *proper* shocks to use for lowered vehicles. The Bilsteins won't explode and aren't viewed as "cheapies," and that's why I'm torn...they will work alright, but are not optimum. Many people are running them against recommendation.



The difference in price could buy me a nice torque converter...:D :think:
 
IMO you really do want to keep your springs and shocks compatible. Messing around with incompatible-length-of-travel issues for a few bucks sounds like a really bad idea. Remember that it's when things are at the extremes of their ranges of motion that you usually want them to work optimally.



FWIW, I put Konis on the XJS back in '85 and they're *still* just like new. Whatever they cost, it was well worth it in the long run.



You gotta watch Bilstein's lenght-of-travel on certain GM B-bodies too. Probably a different situation from the F-body, but if you mess up with the b-bodies you'll have to remove the shock to jack it up enough to change a tire :eek:
 
Thanks for the advice so far.



If we were talking about $50-$100, there would be no second thoughts, but almost $400 makes me think hard.
 
ZaneO said:
F-bodies are unlucky in the sense that out of all shock brands, Koni and Bilstein (revalved) are really the only *proper* shocks to use for lowered vehicles. The Bilsteins won't explode and aren't viewed as "cheapies," and that's why I'm torn...they will work alright, but are not optimum. Many people are running them against recommendation.
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You think F-Body's got it bad? Think of this, the tC has several sets of lowering springs available out on the market. Me liking the slammed look, I got a set of Tein S-Tech's which offer a 2.4" front drop and a 2.0" rear drop. Looks awesome! My problem- 10k miles down the road, my shocks are going to be blown. if things don't change by then, I only have 2 choices for new shocks, and neither of them are favorable. 1. TRD shocks. This shock set blows out just as fast as the stock shocks do. 2. Koni shocks. They last a good while, but you have to hack at the suspension mounts to get them to fit correctly. Decisions suck :faint:
 
When you say "revalved" does that mean the Bilsteins are the original shocks? If so, can you have your current ones rebuilt? This is common practice on Corvettes with Bilstein/Delco adjustable shocks.
 
Aurora40 said:
When you say "revalved" does that mean the Bilsteins are the original shocks? If so, can you have your current ones rebuilt? This is common practice on Corvettes with Bilstein/Delco adjustable shocks.
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No. Revalved Bilsteins are brand new Bilstein HD shocks that are sent back to Bilstein to be specifically valved for a particular application. F-bodies come factory with DeCarbons (which are terrible to begin with).
 
I have the Strano revalves and am quite happy. Bilsteins have a reputation of being more durable than Koni's. I'd suggest you get the revalves but if your only doing street driving the blue Tokicos would work as they are probably stiffer than the Bilsteins.
 
F-bodies come factory with DeCarbons (which are terrible to begin with).
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So did ZQ-8 S-series vehicles. I have been super pleased with mine, considering they have 130,000+ miles on them and still feel nice and stiff. However, GM did use Bilsteins in the last few years of the ZQ-8 packages; maybe there was a reason for this:nixweiss



How much lower than stock height are you sitting at currently? If less than 1.5" I'd imagine the "sweet spot" of the shock would only be minimally compensated. At least in the S-series world this is the case.
 
My car is lowered a little more than an inch. I think it will be best if I spend the money and do it correctly.



I'm going to get Koni single adjustable front shocks and 3rd gen Bilstein rear shocks. This is a well known, used, and proven setup...the other toys will come later...this is most important right now.
 
Zane,



Looks like you got your mind made up. I'll tell ya, on my pala I run Konis and Vogtland springs. The Konis have been holding so far without problem and they had a few years of age on them when I got the lowering springs. I think my next shocks will be the QA1's. They might be worth looking into. Best of luck with your choice. Take care
 
Zane,



I'd go with the Strano revalved Bilsteins.



*edit - looks like you've made your choice...lemme know how that works out. :2thumbs:
 
ZaneO- That sounds like a very smart way to go :xyxthumbs



Way2SSlow- What kind of weather do you deal with? I was gonna go with the QA-1s (have 'em, still new in the box) but decided to go with Konis because of the way the QA-1s don't like cold weather.
 
Accumulator,



It gets relatively cold down here. Not as cold as you get up there, but I'm a good bit south of ya. I'm right outside Atlanta. I think Zane would be alright in Texas with QA1s as well. But, yeah, I have heard that about them and the cold weather. I just like the fact that they are easy to adjust. The Konis have to be adjusted off the car (for the b body application), which is more of a hassle than it's worth for a street driven car (IMO). It's because of the adjustment issue that mine were set full firm before I put them in the car.
 
Way2SSlow- Roger all that :xyxthumbs Lemme know if/when you want to buy the QA-1s, if I still have mine (might let 'em go with a parts car) I bet we could work something out.
 
Bilstein HDs are good for no more than 1" drop, well at least in the world of the 1st gen IS. I have Tokico HP shocks and love these things. But if you got the cash, Koni yellows are the way to go.
 
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