Yah I know, shock questions again!!!
06-03-2008, 11:21 AM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca
Posts: 273
Bilsteins, Konis and bears, oh my! Shock help needed.
Yes, I did a search, and everyone says Koni or Bilstein. Problem is
I WANT the Bilstein, but they are on national backorder. I tried to
buy the revalved ones from SLP and THEY are out too!
In the past, on my 4th gens, I have used Gabriel VSTs and Monroe
Sensatracs. Both worked OK. I have been VERY happy with Bilstein
on my '95 Impala SS and '78 Camaro - but I just cant see waiting
2 months for Bilstein to pull their head out.
The car is a '99 Camaro SS with 126k and the original De Carbons.
We just bought the car from the second owner. The shocks are a
good 50k past their useful life. It has Eibach Pro springs, Hotchkis
strut tower brace, welded subrame connectors, rear trailing arms,
adjustable panhard bar, and sway bar kit. I just installed some used
Bilsteins in the rear I had from my wifes totalled '95. The '95 had
Gabriels on the front tho.
I am really bummed here, the wife wants to drive her new Camaro,
but it bounces in the front like a '74 Dodge Monaco!
Basically what I need to know is after Koni and Bilstein what is the
popular third choice, and will they work well with Bilstein HD rear?
Tom
I WANT the Bilstein, but they are on national backorder. I tried to
buy the revalved ones from SLP and THEY are out too!
In the past, on my 4th gens, I have used Gabriel VSTs and Monroe
Sensatracs. Both worked OK. I have been VERY happy with Bilstein
on my '95 Impala SS and '78 Camaro - but I just cant see waiting
2 months for Bilstein to pull their head out.
The car is a '99 Camaro SS with 126k and the original De Carbons.
We just bought the car from the second owner. The shocks are a
good 50k past their useful life. It has Eibach Pro springs, Hotchkis
strut tower brace, welded subrame connectors, rear trailing arms,
adjustable panhard bar, and sway bar kit. I just installed some used
Bilsteins in the rear I had from my wifes totalled '95. The '95 had
Gabriels on the front tho.
I am really bummed here, the wife wants to drive her new Camaro,
but it bounces in the front like a '74 Dodge Monaco!
Basically what I need to know is after Koni and Bilstein what is the
popular third choice, and will they work well with Bilstein HD rear?
Tom
Last edited by sbca96; 06-03-2008 at 11:10 PM.
06-04-2008, 11:03 AM
#2
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca
Posts: 273
Hey Tom,
I have heard that the Tokico HP is a pretty good shock, its
right along side the Bilsteins. There is some people that do
claim they dont last long. Maybe someone will chime in.
Tom
I have heard that the Tokico HP is a pretty good shock, its
right along side the Bilsteins. There is some people that do
claim they dont last long. Maybe someone will chime in.
Tom
06-04-2008, 11:05 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca
Posts: 273
Tom. Shocks seem to bring out a lot of opinions. Bilstein is
the best affordable shock around - but I feel your pain about
not wanting to wait 2 months!! Sucks you already have the
rears, maybe the Tokico HP will work well with them .....
Tom
the best affordable shock around - but I feel your pain about
not wanting to wait 2 months!! Sucks you already have the
rears, maybe the Tokico HP will work well with them .....
Tom
06-04-2008, 11:38 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,705
tokico's, hal qa1's, Competition engineering, blistein, koni, lakewood. Those are all the shocks available for f bodies.
I would give sam strano a call and see what he tells you. www.stranoparts.com
Hes known around here and is pretty much the go to guy for suspensions. (well the ones that appreciate him)
I would give sam strano a call and see what he tells you. www.stranoparts.com
Hes known around here and is pretty much the go to guy for suspensions. (well the ones that appreciate him)
06-05-2008, 12:41 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca
Posts: 273
Thanks for the input, I was JUST in the process of emailing Sam when I found
an ad on Craigslist for some never used Bilsteins! A set of 4 for 250! Score! I
picked them up tonight and they are mint, obviously never on a car. They are
also 1913/1914's which from what I read by Sam in a post back in 2006, these
are better suited for lowering springs than the new HDs. The back being more
like the stock De Carbons. I am SO thrilled about this find! And only 25 miles
away too! Guess I side stepped that 2 month wait and got the better ones!
Tom
an ad on Craigslist for some never used Bilsteins! A set of 4 for 250! Score! I
picked them up tonight and they are mint, obviously never on a car. They are
also 1913/1914's which from what I read by Sam in a post back in 2006, these
are better suited for lowering springs than the new HDs. The back being more
like the stock De Carbons. I am SO thrilled about this find! And only 25 miles
away too! Guess I side stepped that 2 month wait and got the better ones!
Tom
06-06-2008, 11:10 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Santa Barbara, Ca
Posts: 273
Thanks for the suggestion, but I think they will be fine as is.
I have always been happy with Bilstein, I just wish they made
a shock for my '63 Avanti. I will most likely be modifying the
car to use 2nd Gen Camaro Bilsteins.
The '99 SS is getting the front struts installed today!! The
wife is thrilled.
Tom
I have always been happy with Bilstein, I just wish they made
a shock for my '63 Avanti. I will most likely be modifying the
car to use 2nd Gen Camaro Bilsteins.
The '99 SS is getting the front struts installed today!! The
wife is thrilled.
Tom
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