Shocks and struts
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: HAmpton Roads VA
Shocks and struts Hey everyone, I actually got to drive my 99 T/A last night.......
But it is really in need of an all around replacement of shocks/struts.I wont drive it again until i replace them.
I am not a hard core drag racer and this car is my weekend driver. I would like to take the car to the track a couple times, but i am on an extreme budget right now due to the holidays.
I am asking for some help on what shocks/struts to use. I have been looking all around, and i see many different options and a HUGE PRICE difference. Please help me to understand what i need. I have new wheels and tires on the car now, and was thinking about lowering the car later down the road. 18s in the rear and 17s in the front fyi.
Please help so I dont order the wrong stuff. THANKS!
But it is really in need of an all around replacement of shocks/struts.I wont drive it again until i replace them.
I am not a hard core drag racer and this car is my weekend driver. I would like to take the car to the track a couple times, but i am on an extreme budget right now due to the holidays.
I am asking for some help on what shocks/struts to use. I have been looking all around, and i see many different options and a HUGE PRICE difference. Please help me to understand what i need. I have new wheels and tires on the car now, and was thinking about lowering the car later down the road. 18s in the rear and 17s in the front fyi.
Please help so I dont order the wrong stuff. THANKS!
Check out Stranoparts.com. You can get the Bilstein shocks along with eibach lowering springs in a package deal. I have yet to do these myself, but I hear that just installing the Bilsteins almost makes it a different car-the ride and handling improves THAT much...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: HAmpton Roads VA
ok one other problem..... the previous owner removed the bump stops, and cut the mounting bracket out. This made for an easy rear wheel install, but i want to know if it will really screw up the car. I thought by getting a set of adjustable shocks i could counter the lack of a bump stop.
thoughts?
thoughts?
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Sam Strano is the Fbody Suspension KING. Single Adjustable Konis up front, Bilstein Non-Adjustables in back, and it handles like a vette, and its all a very good price. Plus, Sam is an awesome guy and will definitely walk you through it and give you all the information and answers you need. Give him a call and check him out, stranoparts.com
OP, i am in the exact same shoes as you. I put my TA into storage and the next time I drive it will be to drop it off at the shop in the spring to install new suspension, not taking it out of storage otherwise. I have thought long and hard about this and done a lot of research. Like you I am only a casual drag racer and mainly DD my car. From my research the only options for shocks are Bilsteins or Konis 4/4's for what we do. The Koni being the better shock but also over 2x the cost. Since I will never push my car to the need of the Koni I have decided on the Bilsteins. I have also opted to lower the car at the same time, because the springs are cheap and no extra work if you are changing shocks anyway. I would do both at once to really save time/money esp if you are not doing this yourself. The springs I have been thinking of are strano springs. He sells a package deal of bilstein shocks and his springs for $620. I don't see how you can beat that if you are on a budget without really cheaping out on shocks.
Competion Engineering make a 3 way adjustable rear Drag Shock for 98-02 Camaros that won't blow your budget. You can get 2 for less than $100 at www.Speedinc.com.
Some people suggested Konis, which are certainly the best of the best, but no where near affordable for someone on a tight budget.
I bought Bilsteins for my car and cut a coil off the stock springs. The result is about a 1" drop and a more comfortable and controlled ride than stock. I'm sure a Koni/Strano-equipped car would whoop me around a circuit, but for a daily driver, it's hard to beat for $400.
I bought Bilsteins for my car and cut a coil off the stock springs. The result is about a 1" drop and a more comfortable and controlled ride than stock. I'm sure a Koni/Strano-equipped car would whoop me around a circuit, but for a daily driver, it's hard to beat for $400.
Some people suggested Konis, which are certainly the best of the best, but no where near affordable for someone on a tight budget.
I bought Bilsteins for my car and cut a coil off the stock springs. The result is about a 1" drop and a more comfortable and controlled ride than stock. I'm sure a Koni/Strano-equipped car would whoop me around a circuit, but for a daily driver, it's hard to beat for $400.
I bought Bilsteins for my car and cut a coil off the stock springs. The result is about a 1" drop and a more comfortable and controlled ride than stock. I'm sure a Koni/Strano-equipped car would whoop me around a circuit, but for a daily driver, it's hard to beat for $400.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,798
Likes: 16
From: St.Charles MO
There are a few options out there since youre primarily a street car. I can agree that the Bilsteins are the best bang for the buck. My T/A had the deCarbons from the factory and moving up to the Bilstein HDs was a tremendous difference for the vehicle in every way. No more "Caddy" float going over bumps, no more sloppy body roll, and the ride became more taught. But that's compared to the deCarbons - a stack of sponges could probably do better. jk
Do whichever you budget will allow. The KYBs aren't a bad shock, but the Bilsteins - which cost more - are certainly better and shortcomings are to be expected with the more bargain-friendly shocks. If money isn't an issue with the shock purchase, the Konis are hands down the favorite in dampening because they're just that good.
Do whichever you budget will allow. The KYBs aren't a bad shock, but the Bilsteins - which cost more - are certainly better and shortcomings are to be expected with the more bargain-friendly shocks. If money isn't an issue with the shock purchase, the Konis are hands down the favorite in dampening because they're just that good.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
+1 on the Bilsteins from Strano! I upgraded mine recently after seeking advice from Sam. He had some good tips that allowed me to be prepared to complete the upgrade myself (rusty top front shock nuts anyone?).
The upgrade from the stock DeCarbons is dramatic. It also revealed how many bushings were well worn in my suspension. I've been cycling through those as time allows and my suspension has become almost as quiet as a new car over bumps!
The upgrade from the stock DeCarbons is dramatic. It also revealed how many bushings were well worn in my suspension. I've been cycling through those as time allows and my suspension has become almost as quiet as a new car over bumps!
