Your thoughts on shocks - Lateral-g Forums

31 SONIC · #1 10-26-2006, 09:33 AM

Car is a 71 Nova. Medium budget build. Not super budget, but not all out either. Car will be mini-tubbed with 3" drop DSE leafs, not sure on the front suspension yet if it will be coil-over or conventional shock/spring.
My question is what brand shock would you recommend?
Bilstien, Koni, Qa1's, or I see now that Be Cool has some aluminum adjustables now. 95% street driven, 5% strip/track driven (not competition). I like the idea of an adjustable stock (but not dead set on it). Koni isn't externally adjustable (unless you go real expensive, more than I want to spend). I know Bilstein is a good shock but not adjustable. Does anyone have any input? Bought one shock and wished they went another way? Tried multiple shocks and liked one better? I know it's an easy swap if needed to be changed, but I just like to do things right the first time. Thanks.

deuce_454 · #2 10-26-2006, 09:46 AM

the bilsteins are a very good bet.. they might not be adjustable but they are speedsensitive, so they will stiffen up if you beat the car.. and not be teeth rattling when you cruice.. Kyb Gas-adjust are simmilar but id stick to the Bilsteins..! otherwise you can get some one race Penske or Öhlins on ebay that are Nascar takeoffs and have all the bells and whistles..

i just dont like the cheaper adjustable shocks, the valving bypasses the valve in the piston and some only adjust rebound and are stupidly soft on compression.. (i speak from bitter expreience, i just got a set of QA1´s and they are almost junk from the factory, bit they sure look bling!)

fatlife · #3 10-26-2006, 10:50 AM

Ohlins..................mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

71Nova · #4 10-30-2006, 12:30 AM

I have the double adj QA1 coilover conversion on my 71Nova and love them. I have not had it on a track yet and do not have the experience Fatlife has, but I am very happy with them. I felt a huge difference when I put them on. Well acually I hated them until I also got the global west 500lb springs that they make for the Qa1 conversion. (last I checked they were not in there catalog) It feels like the car just begs me to drive it hard now.

David

31 SONIC · #5 10-31-2006, 08:45 AM

Thanks guys.

Blown353 · #6 10-31-2006, 09:08 AM

After spending a weekend at Thunderhill with them, I highly recommend Varishock QS1 (single adjustable). I don't think there is a better option in the sub-$200/shock price range if you're shopping new. The QS2's (double adjustable) are also very effective but about $300 each.

Based on the track experience, the Varishocks are much better than QA1's, they use beefier bushings that don't pound out of them, have better valving, and they actually maintain their settings much better instead of "drifting around" like QA1's do when they get some heat in them during a 20 minute track session.

They are still a "budget" shock so don't expect miracles... but considering the price point you are getting a very good performing shock for your money.

31 SONIC · #7 10-31-2006, 01:15 PM

Thanks peeps for all your input. I've decided to go with Konis. They will suite me fine until I'm ready to 4-link the rear and coil over the front (which they will be worn out by then and I'll need new shocks anyway).

Going with 8040-1087 low pressure gas twin tube fronts and 30-7325 high pressure mono tube rears.