C4 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

"Ed Berns" > wrote in message
...
> 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
> are the good choices and which to stay away from? Any other
considerations??
>
> Thanks in advance for your time and help.
>
> 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
On Mon, 9 May 2005 10:09:38 -0500, "Charlie Funk"
> wrote:

>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
>
>"Ed Berns" > wrote in message
...
>> 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
>> are the good choices and which to stay away from? Any other
>considerations??
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your time and help.
>>
>> Ed B.
>>
>>
>

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

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
"RicSeyler" > wrote in message
.. .
> 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
>
> http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
> remove –SPAM- from email address
> --------------------------------------
> "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/...arterview2.jpg
http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/r/...uarterview.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" > wrote in message
. ..
>
>
>>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

>>http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
>>remove -SPAM- from email address
>>--------------------------------------
>>"Homer no function beer well without."
>>- H.J. Simpson
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

--
Ric Seyler
Online Racing: RicSeyler
GPL Handicap 6.35

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.


RicSeyler wrote:
> 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/...arterview2.jpg
> http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/r/...uarterview.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" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>
>>>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

>>>http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
>>>remove –SPAM- from email address
>>>--------------------------------------
>>>"Homer no function beer well without."
>>>- H.J. Simpson
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> Ric Seyler
> Online Racing: RicSeyler
> GPL Handicap 6.35
>
> http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
> remove –SPAM- from email address
> --------------------------------------
> "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.

"Ed Berns" > wrote in message
...
> 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.
>
>

Thanks ric. It does look easy but I was wondering if I was overlooking something.
"RicSeyler" > wrote in message .. .
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/...arterview2.jpg
http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/r/...uarterview.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" > wrote in message
.. .
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

http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
remove -SPAM- from email address
--------------------------------------
"Homer no function beer well without."
- H.J. Simpson





--
Ric Seyler
Online Racing: RicSeyler
GPL Handicap 6.35

http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
remove -SPAM- from email address
--------------------------------------
"Homer no function beer well without."
- H.J. Simpson

Got it at Tire Rack, 4/26/04
G2 Caliper Paint Kit. 2 Part Epoxy
And it still is flawless. So far so good. :-)

Paul H. wrote:

> 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.
>

--
Ric Seyler
Online Racing: RicSeyler
GPL Handicap 6.35

http://www.pcola.gulf.net/~ricseyler
remove –SPAM- from email address
--------------------------------------
"Homer no function beer well without."
- H.J. Simpson