02frag215

Hi, looking to upgrade suspension on '02 Z28 convertible (PA roads) without lowering the car. Stiff ride is fine but looking for street performance. Thinking new shocks/struts, springs, bushings. I see Koni is recommended a lot in this thread. Is there a street kit you recommend for simplicity and compatibility? Or recommend buying components separate? Appreciate any guidance and let me know if easier to call your shop (and #). Thanks

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

The best shock is always going to be the best shock. The car doesn't know a race track from Street and it doesn't weigh more or less on a race track versus the street. Obviously Pennsylvania roads or something I know given I live in Pennsylvania. And if you don't want to lower it that's fine good shocks and sway bars still do massive things to improve the way the car drives even if you don't lower it.

You don't need to go to Koni Sport if something is stopping you. However I would it would be my recommendation. And it is what is on pretty much all of my cars that don't have something either beyond those, or by rule for my autocrossing don't allow change.

Can't change springs, there are no aftermarket springs that are more performance oriented than what you have and also not lower. And if there was anything wrong with your springs your car would be sagging. Sounds like it is not sagging. So you're not going to do anything there. And sure we have all new bushings and ball joints and those things available, that's easy. There is no real kit here. By , that's easy. There is no real kit here. Decide on a set of shocks, again I would tell you in recommend sway bars strongly, not any version by the way many companies don't have a big enough front or they have two large rear or something like that. And then we can get you the bushings and the ball joints and the tie rod ends and all that stuff if you want to refresh all the stock arms.

Y2K_Frenzy

Here’s a decent review on Bilstein shocks. On a side note, the more handling oriented parts that you install the crappier the ride quality will become.
Bilstein

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Although not really relevant. The SLP version of the shock doesn't exist anymore. I have hd's in stock though and it's certainly not a terrible choice. You could do far worse. Keep in mind that Bilstein fronts are the shock only. There is no lower spring perch there is no spring indexing ring there are no dust boots there are no bump stops. Koni come with those, but those, but Bilstein fronts do not.

Y2K_Frenzy

SLP didn’t buy Bilstein shocks and just slap SLP stickers on them? Surely a boutique car builder doesn’t have their own springs made by a major mfg. What other names were the “SLP Bilstens” sold under?

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Nope. And while at times they were similar they were not identical. Both front and rear valvings differed. Overtime some of that was incorporated into the regular production shocks but not all of it.

Y2K_Frenzy

I think I found a vendor that still has an old ad up for SLP Bilstein. They call them “level II’s.” I wonder what level one was..? Not that it matters anymore I suppose but what’s the difference between the SLP’s and the HD’s? Which shock is better at what? Were the SLP’s a little softer?
*Edit*
I think the “kit” is discontinued and the vendor is just selling them individually now. The singles are listed as B6’s but they have the same description as their “out of stock” “Level II Kit.” “Bilstein designed these for SLP..” Too lazy to update the description I guess.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

The shocks weren't any different between them anyway, that was the springs.

SteveC

Um, and let me guess, "you can sell him all the over priced crap that you stock."

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I carry about everything, including the junk most others, presumably like you would "recommend" without any supporting results.

Check the attitude. Results don't lie. I've got them. What I don't have is patience for people who have no idea and want to continue to be ignorant. The Internet is chock full of experts in their own minds and I generally avoid trying to battle them, but every once in a while a Grade A jackass, like you shows up.

Y2K_Frenzy

You’re just as good as any other vendor except since you sell to a niche market you can’t afford to lose as many customers for calling people Jackasses as Summit Racing can. Don’t lose sight of who needs who. You sell parts for a living not us.

SteveC

I AM NOT A JACKASS, tell me how you really feel Sammy (LOL)

Me 10 years ago

SteveC

^^This 1000%^^