The Best Replacement Shocks
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
The Best Replacement Shocks I have a 2002 Firebird WS6 with 49k miles. The ride is alright except the rear left seems to bottoming. I figured that I needed new shocks. The car is a driver (not my daily driver) but I don't want to race it or show it -- so originals are not a requirement (besides which I can't find them).
I was thinking of the Bilsteins.
Any suggestions?
I was thinking of the Bilsteins.
Any suggestions?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
There really isn't a "best shock", only the shock that suits your needs best.
Personally, I think the Bilsteins offer the best combination of ride comfort with improved handling, and are reasonably priced. Koni STR.Ts are similarly priced, are a little more biased toward the handling side - a little stiffer and firmer. Koni SA's are nearly twice the price, but are adjustable for rebound and offer the option of lowering the car a bit in the front. They're recognized as the best handling stock-style shock available. From there you go way up the scale to coilovers and custom shocks that offer lots of optionality but are very expensive.
Personally, I think the Bilsteins offer the best combination of ride comfort with improved handling, and are reasonably priced. Koni STR.Ts are similarly priced, are a little more biased toward the handling side - a little stiffer and firmer. Koni SA's are nearly twice the price, but are adjustable for rebound and offer the option of lowering the car a bit in the front. They're recognized as the best handling stock-style shock available. From there you go way up the scale to coilovers and custom shocks that offer lots of optionality but are very expensive.
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I have a 2002 Firebird WS6 with 49k miles. The ride is alright except the rear left seems to bottoming. I figured that I needed new shocks. The car is a driver (not my daily driver) but I don't want to race it or show it -- so originals are not a requirement (besides which I can't find them).
I was thinking of the Bilsteins.
Any suggestions?
I was thinking of the Bilsteins.
Any suggestions?
While you're there, he carries the full UMI line should you desire any further upgrades.
ramey
I have a 2002 Firebird WS6 with 49k miles. The ride is alright except the rear left seems to bottoming. I figured that I needed new shocks. The car is a driver (not my daily driver) but I don't want to race it or show it -- so originals are not a requirement (besides which I can't find them).
I was thinking of the Bilsteins.
Any suggestions?
I was thinking of the Bilsteins.
Any suggestions?
If you are interested in Bilstein we have them available with free shipping.
Link To Shocks
Last edited by MidwestChassis2; Mar 23, 2017 at 10:42 AM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
I spoke with Sam Strano. His very helpful advice was to get the Koni Str.t shocks. I ordered them from him and will be installing them next week.
Thanks Sam for your patience and sage advice.
Thanks Sam for your patience and sage advice.
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For a daily driver car, can't go wrong with the Koni Str.T. I have them on my daily driver and love the ride. They will work with stock springs, or lowering springs. They pair really well with the rates of our springs. My lowered car doesn't ride like a lowered car.
http://bmrsuspension.com/?page=produ...508&superpro=0
http://bmrsuspension.com/?page=produ...508&superpro=0
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Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
I installed the Konis on Thursday and the effect was noticeable. The ride is much better. I also replaced the shock bumps which were totally gone - had to cut off a piece on the aluminum billet that fit under the bump. It was a piece of cake.
Now I have to decide WHEN to replace the fronts. Not if, when.
Thanks for the advice received and to Sam for the recommendation and quick shipping.
BTW, as expected, the driver side shock, which was allowing the bottoming, was totally gone.
Now I have to decide WHEN to replace the fronts. Not if, when.
Thanks for the advice received and to Sam for the recommendation and quick shipping.
BTW, as expected, the driver side shock, which was allowing the bottoming, was totally gone.
^ because it has everything to do with the shock. The shock is what restricts and controls movement of the spring. A weak spring will compound this issue and usually cause shock failure. But a bad or weak shock will allow for excess movement and cause issues such as he reported.
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Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Glenn ***
Sales Tech
www.bmrsuspension.com
813.986.9302
Find a Quality alignment shop near you!
Aluminum spacer on SS's and WS6's is simply bolted on between the stop and the body, and just removes without modification or cutting. There is a lip on some cars that needs trimmed for aftermarket stops if not using that aluminum spacer.
As for the shocks, glad they helped (not that I'm surprised, stock stuff kind of sucks).
As for "bottoming out". This is a term used generically like Mack Truck and a number of things can happen. Most commonly the shocks are junk, and the car hits things really hard and is not well damped resulting in a slam. This is worse still with bumpstops that are junk or shot, or just not there. But it should be noted that bump stops aren't STOPS in the rock hard way of thinking. They can be different levels of stiff depending on what type you have. I like more progressive type myself. So when I hear "my car is bottoming out". I always know I'm in for a good time trying to figure out what the person means by that. Because it's really rare the car is actually, truly bottoming out the suspension. That can only happen if there are no stops period.
As for the shocks, glad they helped (not that I'm surprised, stock stuff kind of sucks).
As for "bottoming out". This is a term used generically like Mack Truck and a number of things can happen. Most commonly the shocks are junk, and the car hits things really hard and is not well damped resulting in a slam. This is worse still with bumpstops that are junk or shot, or just not there. But it should be noted that bump stops aren't STOPS in the rock hard way of thinking. They can be different levels of stiff depending on what type you have. I like more progressive type myself. So when I hear "my car is bottoming out". I always know I'm in for a good time trying to figure out what the person means by that. Because it's really rare the car is actually, truly bottoming out the suspension. That can only happen if there are no stops period.
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Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
This what my bump stop looked like before replacing. It now looks "like" a bump stop should.
I cut off the piece which juts out of the aluminum billet and attached the new bump stop with the billet to the bracket.
Then I installed the Koni Streets (ok, not spelled that way). Took it for an extended "city" ride today, especially over the spot I experienced the "bottoming out."
Worked out GREAT.
Thanks Sam!
This what my bump stop looked like before replacing. It now looks "like" a bump stop should.
I cut off the piece which juts out of the aluminum billet and attached the new bump stop with the billet to the bracket.
Then I installed the Koni Streets (ok, not spelled that way). Took it for an extended "city" ride today, especially over the spot I experienced the "bottoming out."
Worked out GREAT.
Thanks Sam!
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
I don't understand what the difference would be. It's about 3/16" difference and doesn't modify the bracket. The ride is totally better and no trace of what I was experiencing before. If \the bump stop comes into play now, there's a more serious problem.
Not being difficult, I just fail to understand. In my prior life we used to say if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Not being difficult, I just fail to understand. In my prior life we used to say if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Trust me.
But if you need more reason. You gain suspension travel and it usually rides better.
But if you need more reason. You gain suspension travel and it usually rides better.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
