I just wanted to make a post about a recent swap from KYBs to Bilsteins on my '64 chevelle.

I have been debating putting on a set of Bilsteins for literally years, but somehow other expenses always seem to come first. (still need to get my engine gone through) I finally was given a set by a good friend in exchange for some work, and let me tell you, they are simply amazing.

If you are debating the purchase of a set, stop debating and get a set. They handle all sorts of bumps, drops, jars and washboards like I simply still do not believe.

That is all.

http://www.hotrodhomepage.com/gallerys/project_malibu/index.htm

Bilsteins are awsome! I really like the re-valved Carreras I got with my HTH kit as well tho. Many folks throw on a set of Wal-Mart shocks as an afterthought, and don't realize their importance in the handling of a car. One of the best suspension mods you can do IMO.

I run bilstein shocks on my Chevelle. They've been on the car for 2 1/2 yrs. or ~11k miles. For the money, I think they are great shocks. They handle all types of road conditions with great responsivness. The KYB's I had before can't hold a candle to them. I haven't tired any of the other performance shocks on the market, but I do like how the Bilstein's react to various road conditions. Bilstein will custom valve the shocks (for a price of course) if you ship them to Bilstein.

I used Bilstein's on my '94 Impala SS and was very happy with them on that car as well. In fact, the rear shock on the Impala and Chevelle are the same part numbers.

I wish I had the means (money-wise) to buy Edelbrock, Koni, Hals, etc. and do back-to-back testing to see which one (IMO) works the best for me.

Price has to be factored with life expectancy to know the true cost. My Z-71 came with Bilstein shocks from the factory. 190k miles and they are still working well.

I ran Bilstein coilovers on both my ZR-1 Corvettes and loved them. Only shocks I like better are Penskes but the price for a set is hard for me to justify for anything but a pure racecar.

The Air Ride Shockwaves work pretty well on my 69,though.

I ran Bilstein coilovers on both my ZR-1 Corvettes and loved them. Only shocks I like better are Penskes but the price for a set is hard for me to justify for anything but a pure racecar.

Aw, come on Clint, throw a set of remote reservoir adjustable Penske's on there. I can't be the only one who's considered it...


(but then the $700+ per shock price tag scared me away) :p

(but then the $700+ per shock price tag scared me away) :pIt's only money... you try it and tell me how it works ;)

Aw, come on Clint, throw a set of remote reservoir adjustable Penske's on there. I can't be the only one who's considered it...
(but then the $700+ per shock price tag scared me away) :p

They were $5600/set for my ZR-1 a few years ago. $700 a pop almost sounds cheap now,,,almost. :D

They were $5600/set for my ZR-1 a few years ago. $700 a pop almost sounds cheap now,,,almost. :D

LOL, yeah. Depends on which ones you get. The remote reservoir styles start at around $700/ea and go up from there.

There's a machine shop about 10 miles from me that machines shock bodies and the remote reservoirs for Penske. Exactly what model, I'm not sure. That product is the machine shop's "bread and butter" as it were.

Unfortunately I didn't score any freebies.

My complete Air Ride set-up was well over $3K and that was just component cost,,no labor. Nobody ever said this stuff was cheap.

I wish I had the means (money-wise) to buy Edelbrock, Koni, Hals, etc. and do back-to-back testing to see which one (IMO) works the best for me.

For what it's worth, I have an 05 Ford F150 4x4 Supercrew and installed 22" wheels. These wheels overwhelmed the oem shocks. I proceeded to purchase the Edelbrocks and on a flat road they did fine, but once I hit a small pothole or bump I would feel the harshness of the hit transmitted into the cabin. I sold them and purchased Bilsteins, what a world of a difference. The truck is smoother than stock yet not mushy and the bumps are just soaked up, no harshness. I truly recommend them over the Edelbrocks hands down.

For what it's worth, I have an 05 Ford F150 4x4 Supercrew and installed 22" wheels. These wheels overwhelmed the oem shocks.
Thats phat yo!
Those 22's must really help out in 4x4 mode! Its all about da chrome!
http://img427.imageshack.us/img427/9887/opps8rk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Man I feel better after reading these posts....I just ordered a set of Bilsteins and Hotchkis 1" drop coil springs for my 66. I am really forward to getting the chassis together and body set back in place and hitting these North Alabama twisties.

Bilstein's and Koni's are both excellent choices from my experience.

We`ve tried a LOT of different shocks over the years and for a fixed rate shock we always recomend Bilsteins. I don`t think I`ve *ever* replaced any that were worn out. Great shocks!
For adj. shocks we`ve been running QA1s but their quality isn`t as good as the Bilsteins (and Bilstein adj. shocks cost a lot more than most of our customers want to spend). With 13K on them the QA1s on one of our cars are starting to leak and the bushings pounded out of the front ones. We`re currently switching to Alston`s new VariShocks. The quality,fit,adj. range/curves and overall design have it all over the QA1s. Are they as good as the $700ea. Penskes? No,of course not but then you can buy 2 pairs of them for $700 and I doubt you`d notice any difference between them on a street car. We should have them up on the site shortly. Mark SC&C

I just replaced my KYB's with a set of Bilstein's on my 68 Camaro. I can't believe I've been "roughing it" with those KYB's all these years. The Bilstein's
really helped the ride on my Camaro. The difference might not be as great on a larger Chevelle, but they made a believer out of me.

Mike

now im convinced..i need to get some bilsteins! which ones though?? is it the heavy duty ones? its for a 68 chevelle.