Suspension Issues!

[transampimp]

The only re valved shocks I've ever heard of are the ones from strano parts, and I was told his Bilisteins have been on back order for some time.

You could get some cheapo shocks from NAPA for now, but they will never compare to KONI shocks, which is probably what your going to have to get if you want to really dial in your suspension.

I'm still new to the suspension stuff. I have Konis on stock springs, and driving on Michigan roads its hard to get the setting just perfect for everything our roads throw at you. The pot holes, and bumps really put the shocks to use in this state.

[GETGONE]

Well, if you bought them and used them, what was your experience with them? Are they the kind of shocks that I'm looking for? I want a stiff ride that handles good and will last a while. Give me your review!

I bought them because I had lowered it and ruined the stock shocks getting them off. I tried to put some old air shocks my dad had on but didn't have the air line for it. I drove home with the plan to buy the line and hook them up. I thought I was gonna die driving home. I pulled one of the shocks off and it leaked and pretty much fell apart. I went to Autozone and picked up those Gabriels since they were cheap till I could get something better. They rode great even with the back loaded. I put them on in 2004. I traded the truck to my dad for the IROC and they're still doing fine. I figured for cheap shocks they would suck, but they worked really well. I had Tokico's on my SS when I lowered it and I kept bottoming out in the rear. I wound up replacing them with Koni's and now it's great. I'm running Vogtland springs though.

[s.reef]

Strano is a freaking idiot. He trashed me when I bought Tokicos so bad. Now he's recommending them? What an ass. I have no respect for him. His recommendation changes as much as the wind does.

Yea im with you...the people over on camaroz28 love him...hes got the attitude its his way or the highway

[GETGONE]

I've argued with him on several issues and him and his "minions" always rip on me for my opinion or choice. I gave up replying to anybody asking for input on the brand stuff I have. He always comes into the thread and puts his $2 worth in..cuz he can't just leave it alone with his two cents.

[93formulalt1]

I bought them because I had lowered it and ruined the stock shocks getting them off. I tried to put some old air shocks my dad had on but didn't have the air line for it. I drove home with the plan to buy the line and hook them up. I thought I was gonna die driving home. I pulled one of the shocks off and it leaked and pretty much fell apart. I went to Autozone and picked up those Gabriels since they were cheap till I could get something better. They rode great even with the back loaded. I put them on in 2004. I traded the truck to my dad for the IROC and they're still doing fine. I figured for cheap shocks they would suck, but they worked really well. I had Tokico's on my SS when I lowered it and I kept bottoming out in the rear. I wound up replacing them with Koni's and now it's great. I'm running Vogtland springs though.

Are the Koni's you've got revalved at all, or are they just the stock replacements? How much would I be looking at spending if I went the same route?

[transampimp]

Yea im with you...the people over on camaroz28 love him...hes got the attitude its his way or the highway

Not a big fan of him either. He won't help you out unless you bought from him. His springs are suppose to be awesome, and he is right about the KONI shocks being the best shock replacement.

[GETGONE]

No such thing as Koni revalves. They're adjustable so you can tweak them for your car and springs and driving conditions. If you go with single adjustables for front and rear you're talking $800+ for them. I think I have like $250 in the rear shocks alone. I bought them from Summit Racing. I picked up GM 1LE dual adjustable Koni's for the front from a guy on LS1Tech for like $450 for the pair. The dual adustables are more expensive and somewhat overkill for a street driven car.

[GETGONE]

Not a big fan of him either. He won't help you out unless you bought from him. His springs are suppose to be awesome, and he is right about the KONI shocks being the best shock replacement.

He claims his springs are speced to his spring rates. I wouldn't doubt if they're just regular Vogtlands powdercoated white instead of burgandy/purple the normal ones are. It's funny he was trashing Vogtlands when I bought them and in previous threads people asked about them. Then he turns around and has them make his springs. He changed his story to "they're not bad springs, just the wrong rates". If you search for old threads by him you'll see him change his recommendation and story every few months. That right there discredited any supposed knowledge he had for me.

[transampimp]

The front SA koni shocks are $280 each. I had a shop in Caledonia break one and they didn't bother to replace it. I ended up spending another $280 for a new shock. I have to send the busted one to KONI to get it replaced, because the seal is leaking so they should replace it for free. I planed on just selling it on ebay. I don't expect to get more than $240 for it. So if you want a deal on a new front KONI shock I'd cut you a deal on it when I get it replaced.

[93formulalt1]

I'm not looking to spend THAT much. I'll probably just go with the KYB shocks that I can get from Advance. They are rather cheap, and I'm not going for anything too fancy, just something to help stop the car from bottoming out. I think if I run KYB shocks and the air spring helpers that Gary suggested, I should be fine for the type of driving I do, which is all street, mostly around town, some highway. I probably won't get into Autocross this year or next year. There are just too many unknowns in my life right now, and I need to get some things set in stone before I dump too much more money into the car. I'll go for new shocks, the air helpers, and getting started on my CarPC this year, but past that, I'm not going to do much. Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it.

[GETGONE]

Why waste money on a car PC if money is so tight? They're neat I guess but seem like a waste of a lot of money to me.

[93formulalt1]

Why waste money on a car PC if money is so tight? They're neat I guess but seem like a waste of a lot of money to me.

I've been compiling parts for this project steadily over the past several months, and I'm ready to start construction now. This won't cost much more, most of the expenses have already been covered for this one.

Keep in mind, however, that I just had to spend $200 on a tire to replace one that was slashed that insurance and my Road Hazard coverage wouldn't cover. Money's not that tight right now, but I've got several projects on my plate right now, and I have to try to get several of them done on a smaller budget than before. Shocks aren't a big priority because I want to go with a setup from Air Ride Technologies in the future, and if the shocks that I can afford aren't going to last long anyway, why buy the more expensive ones?