[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

My experience as well.

There are a lot of suggestions to change wheels/tires and change the mounts back to the factory rubber. Im not saying those might not ultimately be the answer......However, wheels and tires are expensive, and body mounts are a pain in the butt to do.

You can buy 4 quality shocks for a reasonable price. I think my Bilsteins were about $80 each or so. Its not like having better shocks will hurt your situation even if they arent the complete answer. Where if you change body mounts you might find it makes no difference and you have to change the shocks anyway.

Agree, it's obvious the OP already has the low profile tires and poly bushings installed and reversing that is most likely out of the question so I didn't even bother suggesting it. At this point it makes more sense to start looking at suspension parts and shocks are the first thing I'd hone in on. But that's just me.

[KEN CROCIE]

I suggest you replace the body bushings with rubber. This will improve the smoothness, Cheap and easy to do. That change alone might be enough. If not, install Koni shocks. they ride really well and firm up as speed increases. They are rebound adjustable. For your car, i would set the fronts at 1/2 turn tighter than as received, and the rears at zero turns. I have used, installed, and sold the KYB. yes they are very firm, but I have noticed an approx. 5000 mi. break in period to get them more civilized . However . for handling, they are the best bang for the buck. I haven't used them ,but I understand Bilsteins are very good also. rubber insulators on the top of the rear springs are a good idea , also

[KEN CROCIE]

BTW are you using any other plastic bushings?

[Lifetime Goat]

The sway bar and links are poly. Need to check control arm bushings.

[KEN CROCIE]

poly end links are OK Front control arm Bushings are made of ---?

[Lifetime Goat]

Okay so after putting up on the lift here is what is installed.
Body Bushings - Rubber
Front Sway Bar bracket and links - poly
Front and rear control arms - poly
Shocks KYB KG5504 Gas a just

I hope this clarifies the situation and perhaps sheds some more light on the situation with the hard driving.

[blueghoast]

Originally Posted by Lifetime Goat

So I am taking a deeper dive into the shocks and am curious about rear coil over shocks, specifically would they improve the ride? I really never put any weight in the car so I wonder how they would help the ride. Also are QA shocks preferred for a softer ride or are there others to consider?

Miy buddy went to coil overs on all 4-corners, Man what a differance it made
on his car, Plus you have a ton of adjustment that way too.

GT

[RocktimusPryme]

Myself, and others on here have said over time that KYBs are a rough riding shock.

[Bill S]

I got sold to go with poly for subframe spacers and the suspension over 30 years ago. However I went with springs with stockish rates, Sears "gas" shocks, 14" wheels / tires, with a thicker front sway bar (Herb Adams).
I am amazed how smooth, compliant and enjoyable my car rides.

I got a feeling the tires are your main issue. Would be great to find a friend / club member to temporarily swap out to a 14/15 wheel / tires set to feel the difference.

[geeteeohguy]

Another vote for rubber bushings and 15" wheels.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

Myself, and others on here have said over time that KYBs are a rough riding shock.

Have run KYB's on my '67 GTO for over 30 years with a stock suspension and it rides like a '70's Cadillac. Not rough at all. 14" wheels and rubber bushings.

[The Champ]

I've owned my GTO for over 30 years. I've driven it with 14", 15" and 17" tires.

I don't believe the 17" tires are the problem. I have 1.25" WS6 front sway bar, and an GM .875" rear sway bar. Koni coilovers on the front and Koni shocks on the rear.

I've never run a KYB shock, but like Rocktimus posted, I've read where many are not happy with them.

geeteeohguy, are you running the same KYB shocks for 30 continuous years? If so, maybe the KYB's of 30 years ago were different...