Hey I picked up a sweet 94 LT1 6sp with only 33000 miles. In fantastic condition. Wondering about changing the shocks (has the original bilsteins, basic suspension not the adjustable one). I don't want it to ride like a Cadillac but roads around here aren't the greatest and right now the car feels real nice on bigger dips and rises in the road but every little crack in the road shudders through the whole car. Has anyone found some smoother shocks or am I fighting a loosing battle?

Shocks are not doing their job, they are worn out. What you are describing is float on long transitions, but the short bumps, the shock is not able to absorb the impact. Going with regular replacement bilsteins are what I would run. Possibly step up to the HD shock, but it is a little firmer ride.

If you are a on a budget, KYB is a good option, too.

I have Koni adjustables, they are firmer...

Get used to the ride. The roads around here suck for C4s. If your shocks are toast, I can give a link to a site out of Toronto that I used to get new bilstiens, but ride improvement was minimal. Handling has improved plenty, not ride. The real problem other than our roads in the 'Peg is that the chassis of the C4 flexes too much. If you want that cushy ride, you need to find a C5 or C6 with selective ride. Hope to see your car out at some of the events next year.

Thanks guys. I was talking to a guy about shocks. His theory is that over time shocks wear most at the point where they normally sit at rest. If you hit larger dips the shock travels to a spot where it's not worn. That's why the older shock works poorly on tiny bumps, cracks etc. I guess I'll find out come spring. I've got all winter to find some replacements.

Congrats on your new C4, sounds nice.
Yea, both what Andy and Jeff said.

Your guy's theory is incorrect.

At 33k, it's not supprising that the shocks have lost performance. Even though the shocks feel nice on big dips, they're probably worn. No offense to your feel for the car, but you'd need to compare the dips with good shocks vs worn shocks. What Jeff said about float is right.

It is possible for one circuit of a shock to wear out faster than the other. In the high speed circuit (where the shock moves fast, like hitting cracks) the oil is moving thru a shim stack where the shims actually deflect to let the oil pass. In the low speed circuit (where you are going over dips or into a corner in normal driving) the oil is going thru an port (hole) in the piston.
This is a very general desription of what happens.

The wear on a street shock will be on the piston seals which will let some oil bypass and not go thru the proper circuit. Once the seals start to wear, it doesn't matter where the piston is ( where it normally sits or higher/lower), the seals aren't doing their job. The shock is toast or needs rebuilt if possible.

age effects the seals

Sitting for long periods doesn't help either.

So does anyone know what it costs to rebuild bilsteins or where to get it done?

Id suggest KONI yellow adjustables, they are great, have a lifetime garrantee, and you can set them the way you like.

Quote:

Cuisinart had his rebuilt, there's a lot a costs that are extras if you need them, they don't even repaint them.

I'd just buy a new set or get some adjustables.

Koni are nice shocks, but it order to adjust the rears, you either need to pull them off the car or cut a hole in the frame.

QA1's are adjustable on the car, kind of pricey.

If all your doing is cruising, then just get a new set of Bilsteins.

Quote:

Yea, I like Konis too, run em on the racecar.

Quote:

You can go to Bilstein direct. The cost is $65 each and can go up if you need a shaft,etc.
You can get a new ones for $82 e.

Had Bilsteins in my SS and the Vette... That's my vote. Excellent shock, great ride improvement.

I'd stay away from KYB's... Had those in the Chevelle. Some people swear by them, but I found them to be no better then Monroe's

DG

I've had my Bilstiens rebuilt several times. It's a piece of cake, and only once in about 8 rebuilds (x4 shocks = 32 rebuilds total) have I had to buy the "extras" mentioned above. That was due to one shock where the piston rod itself was scarred and needed replacing.

This is probably the cheapest way to go for a great product, and if you spend a few minutes on the phone with the specialist at Bilstien you can explain your driving style, needs, and road conditions to get a custom valving to your request. No extra cost.

All that said, however, for a simple daily driver, it may not be worth the hassle to save $15 a shock. You do have to send them to California and wait a week or so. And of course there's the shipping costs.

I highly recommend you do NOT use Monroes. They are terrible on a Corvette and handle like crap. I like the Bilsteins for both handling and ride.

Quote:

Yea, $65 is cheap. For my Koni race shocks, you have to add $100 per shock.

It's come to my attention as well that my nice new looking tires were made in 2000, 2001 so I suspect they are a bit hard and contributing to the harsh ride.

what pressure do you have them set to?

5psi can make a big difference.

Quote:

I can't help but to ask where you purchased them from.

Wish I could remember what "institute" suggests your tires be replaced after 6 years of use. Technically those nice new tires are considered "dangerous."

DG

I just bought the car but when I inquired about the condition of the tires before the sale the previous owner said they "looked like new", at least 80% tread left. Inflated to 32psi cold before I left for home with the car.