Good Shocks for non-racer

**kool-aide** · 05-17-2008, 03:34 PM

Ok, will I take my car to the 1/4 mile track, sure. Do I race, no. Do I drive like a lunatic, when no one is looking. Would I autoX, maybe once or twice for fun.

Ok so i don't race, no can I afford to race or build a race car.

What would be good shocks/struts for a 4th Gen? I'm not changing springs, so that will stay stock. Personally I love my factory ride height.

I just a good feeling car, not a High Performance race machine.

Thanks

Kool-Aide

**9T8W66** · 05-18-2008, 05:39 AM

One Word

Koni's

**kool-aide** · 05-18-2008, 06:00 AM

two words

dirt poor.

.

yeah i hear they are the best, but let's face it. Not every one can drop that kind of money.

**Danger731** · 05-18-2008, 06:06 AM

KYB-AGX if and only with stock ride height

**kool-aide** · 05-18-2008, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Danger731

KYB-AGX if and only with stock ride height

what about their Gas-A-Just? I was also thinking about the AGXs as you mentioned.

**02CAWS6** · 05-18-2008, 09:46 AM

I had a hard time finding anybody with info on these shocks, but my local muscle car shop sells them. I had them installed a week ago with Hotchkis 1" springs and so far I like them. You can get them for a little over $300 (the price of 1 koni shock). Other wise I would say Bilstein HD, you can find them on ebay around $350 a set.

**third_shift|studios** · 05-19-2008, 06:38 AM

stock height: bilsteins
lowered: konis

**kool-aide** · 05-19-2008, 04:46 PM

thanks

still looking for info on the nut that will be rusted / fused on to the top of the front struts. I figure if it is this common, then it is in my best interest to figure out where I can get a couple.

I posted in another thread as a tag along. In case any one can help I'm looking for info on the nut that is for the top of the front struts in the strut mount valley

you can see a pic here towards the end

http://fla-thirdgen.org/shockreplacement.htm

thanks

**ls1_alex** · 05-22-2008, 08:54 AM

If you are dirt poor leave your shocks alone

In my opinion if you dont buy bilsteins or Konis you are wasting your money. Try and find some used.. I got all my shocks used and have had no problems.

**third_shift|studios** · 05-22-2008, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by kool-aide

thanks

still looking for info on the nut that will be rusted / fused on to the top of the front struts. I figure if it is this common, then it is in my best interest to figure out where I can get a couple.

I posted in another thread as a tag along. In case any one can help I'm looking for info on the nut that is for the top of the front struts in the strut mount valley

you can see a pic here towards the end

http://fla-thirdgen.org/shockreplacement.htm

thanks

i replaced shocks at home. Took the struts to a local car shop for them to pull the rusted nut off the top and then used a new nut supplied with the shock

**vetteemt** · 05-22-2008, 11:04 AM

vote for Bilsteins or Konis.

**chuckie669** · 05-22-2008, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

i replaced shocks at home. Took the struts to a local car shop for them to pull the rusted nut off the top and then used a new nut supplied with the shock

After jacking with my front for an hour and a half I went to the local shop and got them to do both for $10 a pop. 10 minutes worth of work using their tools. +1 on taking the springs to a shop.

**Danger731** · 05-22-2008, 02:10 PM

Any body that promotes Bilstiens better hope they are getting the right ones, there are the older quality versions, the crummy second generations and the new third gens that just hit the streets just weeks ago. There are so many second gen out there I would be selective on the distributor, Sam Strano could help out there.

For this guys use I'de say KYB-AGX.

**kool-aide** · 05-23-2008, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by ls1_alex

If you are dirt poor leave your shocks alone

In my opinion if you dont buy bilsteins or Konis you are wasting your money. Try and find some used.. I got all my shocks used and have had no problems.

shocks don't last forever you know. After awhile you do need to replace them or you just a junker bobbin down the road lookin for an accident.

besides, i'm not racing my car, so why do i need $200/300/400/500 shocks?

I'm not going to the dealer for OE parts because that's just a waste of money. And local shops are going to push Monroe, which I think are over priced.

**kool-aide** · 05-23-2008, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

i replaced shocks at home. Took the struts to a local car shop for them to pull the rusted nut off the top and then used a new nut supplied with the shock

yep, mrr23 helped me out, said the new parts would come with the nut, thanks.

**kool-aide** · 05-23-2008, 07:35 PM

I guess my thread title wasn't catchy enough, lol...

I'm not saying the popular brands are bad. I'm saying not every one gets up in the morning and straps on a helmet before hitting the high way. Some of us do drive and enjoy our car without over spending. I could have just gone to a shop and taken the Monroes like most blind saps. I just think they are over priced, and $88 bucks an hour at 4.6 hours is a lot. Can't wait until real inflation kicks in after we see gas never go down.

When you get a car with some years and mileage on it. You start replacing a lot of things. Not because you want to, but because stuff breaks. I can't even imagine how much fun I will have replacing some of the various bushings. I'm just proud my car is still kickin strong. The first owner didn't do squat for the car, so I get the joy of replacing neglected parts. Thankfully the car was cheap and I find time and ways to do all my own work.

It's bad enough driving a car with my color. Your not one of a kind but pretty much in my town you are. That pretty much means if you drive like an idiot, people know who it was, lol...

I appreciate the help guys.

**kool-aide** · 05-23-2008, 07:38 PM

BTW, how long would or could any one go on factory shocks? Do you measure by vehicle age or my mileage? Can the factory shocks take on 120/140/170k miles?

Maybe I will take the advice, leave them alone?

I just figure replace them now on my terms before one blows and I'm forced to do it under terms I don't want. That's the thing about a DD, when it breaks you're in a real jam.

**Hurley711** · 05-23-2008, 07:43 PM

Bilstein HD shocks my best mod to date no kidding, this was on a DD 50 miles a day when I drove the car, and the diff was amazing

**Mr. Luos** · 05-23-2008, 07:54 PM

Bilsteins would have been great a couple years back.

KYB's if stock height.
Koni's if dropped.

**ls1_alex** · 05-23-2008, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by kool-aide

BTW, how long would or could any one go on factory shocks? Do you measure by vehicle age or my mileage? Can the factory shocks take on 120/140/170k miles?

Maybe I will take the advice, leave them alone?

I just figure replace them now on my terms before one blows and I'm forced to do it under terms I don't want. That's the thing about a DD, when it breaks you're in a real jam.

You really never know. With stock springs and decent roads they should last a long time. If they are not bouncing too much you are fine, when they start to bounce is usually the time to start looking for replacements. I remember my stock shocks, they would not bounce but any kind of dip or bad road they would make a very hard jarring ride. Bilsteins made it much better, Konis made my car feel as if it was riding on air