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#1
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shock choice
What shock would be good for a stock suspension on a 69 firebird ?
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#2
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A simple gas charged shock will be fine.
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#3
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KYB or Bilstein if you want to get kind of fancy.
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Ken '68 GTO - Ram Air II 464 - 236/242 roller - 9.5” TSP converter - 3.55 posi (build thread | walk around) '95 Comp T/A #6 M6 - bone stock (pics) |
#4
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I got the KYB shocks
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#5
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they came in late this afternoon so I installed them, was surprised to find out it raised my ride height an inch.
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#6
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Heard some good things about Varishock.
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1970 GTO (Granada Gold) - 400 / TH400 |
#7
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I switched from KYBs to Bilsteins in my '69 Firebird convertible...made a world of difference in ride and handling
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All of my cars are Hybrids...they burn gas and rubber! '73 Ventura, Spotts 462 roller 10.785 @ 122.79, 1.507 60 ft 2850 lbs. plus driver, 3150 race weight '69 Firebird Convertible, Spotts 455 with long branches 12.561 @ 107.62, best on old 455 4290 race weight '72 Formula 455 HO numbers matching auto, work in progress! |
#8
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I run the Varishock SS in my 69 bird and I love them. I don't have anywhere near the stock suspension though.
The SS would still be a pretty decent shock for even a stock suspension car like the OP has. However it's drawback is the fact that the front shocks must be installed on top of the control arm. They can not be mounted through the bottom like a typical factory replacement shock. That means dropping the lower control arm, removing the spring, then putting it back together. I don't know if I would go to that amount of trouble on a stock suspension car. If I was changing springs, I absolutely would recommend this route if it's in the person's budget. I had Gabriel VST's for a while when my suspension was just comprised of hotchkis springs front and rear. I actually thought they were decent, especially for the price point. Had decent ride and damping characteristics.
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-Jason 1969 Pontiac Firebird |
#9
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Shocks are just dampers and do not have any influence on static ride height. Springs are what determine ride height.
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1966 Pontiac GTO (restoration thread) 1998 BMW 328is (track rat) 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (daily) View my photos: Caught in the Wild |
#10
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Thats what I thought too. When I got done installing the front shocks I thought it looked different, seamed to look taller so I measured the rear quarters before I installed the rears and it did raise it an inch. I never thought it would do that either but it did.
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#11
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Quote:
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1966 Pontiac GTO (restoration thread) 1998 BMW 328is (track rat) 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (daily) View my photos: Caught in the Wild Last edited by Stuart; 07-08-2020 at 10:19 AM. |
#12
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............
Last edited by Stuart; 07-08-2020 at 10:24 AM. Reason: Removed a bunch of unnecessary and argumentative posts. |
#13
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As Chrisp said. Stock works just fine. I have NAPA Gold gas replacements and have No issues with body roll or bouncing tire wear etc..
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72 Luxury Lemans nicely optioned |
#14
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The decision may have already been made, but the Bilstein is a good mid priced choice.
I originally used a stock replacement type Monroe shock just to have something new. Then maybe a year later put on the better Bilstein shocks. Noticeable difference.
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1967 Firebird 462 580hp/590ftlbs 1962 Pontiac Catalina Safari Swapped in Turd of an Olds 455 Owner/Creator Catfish Motorsports https://www.youtube.com/@CatfishMotorsports |
#15
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Was there any change after the car was moved around and driven a bit? The suspension may have simply needed to settle after the car had been jacked up.
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#16
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I went out to the garage last nite and took a measurement and it is still over 26 inches on both sides, before it was at 25.
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#17
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Have you actually driven the car, though?
__________________
1966 Pontiac GTO (restoration thread) 1998 BMW 328is (track rat) 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited (daily) View my photos: Caught in the Wild |
#18
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Yes i have.
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#19
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One way to be sure would be to disconnect the shocks at the bottom and set it back down with them disconnected, bounce the car several times and remeasure it. I've replaced hundreds of gas shocks/struts and never seen any of them lift a car perceptible to the eye.
There are different length shocks that will fit cars that they weren't designed for, and have the same attachments on the ends. Is there any chance the shocks are incorrect, and too long bottoming out, and holding the car up? Seems that the ride would be destroyed if that were the case though............. |
#20
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Shocks arent bottomed out, it rides much better than it did with the old shocks. But if it makes everyone happy and even though my measurements were correct i'll agree with everyone that it didn't raise the car.
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