Shocks

[Dueling73s]

Due to availability issues at time of purchase, I have Viking Double adjustable hybrid coil overs on the front and QA1 double adjustable shocks on the rear. No issues at this time with either brand and they seem to perform well.

 

[Fbird]

How much difference can/will shocks make in ride quality?
Don't laugh but I'm running 30 yr old Summit racing 90/10's and Herb Adams 50/50's and the car rides STIFF. Since I have just now actually been getting seat time in a fully assembled (front and rear swaybars) the car is NOT quite as I remember it. Currently it has alot of PUSH, the front end will plow straight thru a corner if i'm not paying attention.

 

[muscl car]

I'm running QA-1 Double adjustable Drag racing shocks on the front of my Camaro and the rear I'm running Calvert racing single adjustable shocks

 

[rocket dawg]

Replaced the KYB "solid rods" with Bilsteins on my 79 and they are great. The first 20 miles or so, I didnt like them, way too stiff. They ride nice now and I'd rate them just a tad stiffer than stock style shocks. On my 2002 T/A I have Koni's and they ride much firmer. But the wider tires are more than likely the cause. For the gen 2 camaro/firebird I'd recommend the bilsteins. This is with 235 70R 15's on it. Tire width makes a huge difference in ride. I can attest that the KYB's are way too stiff. I hated them. If you run 245's go with a softer ride or stock replacements.

 

[73standard]

Who has the Viking Double Adjustables?
Available through Custom Works Performance

I have the Viking double adjustable shocks and Hotchkis lower springs (1908F I believe) with about 1/2 coil removed. The Vikings work really well. I dialed them in for good cornering response while also not being to rigid on big bumps. I ended up with them somewhere in the middle of the adjustment range as I recall.

 

[kenny77]

My brother put the Monroe OE Spectrums on his 76 LT. They ride as good as the Bilseeins I paid way too much for on my car. Yeah,,,I said it....they weren't / aren't worth it to me.

 

[Steemo]

Due to availability issues at time of purchase, I have Viking Double adjustable hybrid coil overs on the front and QA1 double adjustable shocks on the rear. No issues at this time with either brand and they seem to perform well.

Did you install those yourself? I'm just in the process right now. Did you have any spring to frame clearance issues? Where the spring passes through he frame rail? I'm just halfway through this right now, do not have the lower arm connected back to the lower ball joint yet, but the spring is contacting the frame right now. I guess I need to finish the assembly and we'll see. Did you notice that during your installation?

 

[Dueling73s]

Did you install those yourself? I'm just in the process right now. Did you have any spring to frame clearance issues? Where the spring passes through he frame rail? I'm just halfway through this right now, do not have the lower arm connected back to the lower ball joint yet, but the spring is contacting the frame right now. I guess I need to finish the assembly and we'll see. Did you notice that during your installation?

Yes, I did the install. I believe I used QA1 600# springs on the Viking coil over shocks. No issues with the springs contacting anything. Only issue I had was the top thick washer over the shock bushing rubbed on the frame so I did a little grinding on the washer.

 

[Steemo]

Hey thanks for the reply Dueling. Just got the driver side in. Looks OK after all. I guess as the lower arm swings up, it travels through an arc, so as it comes up, it is moving outward as well. It's just when the lower arm is dropped all the way and you're trying to wrestle the assembly into place, the spring was contacting the frame on the inside edge. I was worried. To get the 2" drop as I was hoping, the adjustment on the coil over is pretty much bottomed out. If I need any more, I guess I'll need a softer/shorter spring. My car is pretty light on the front after the mods I've made. It's a small block for starters, battery in trunk, alum heads, alum intake, headers, tucked/removed the spring in the bumper (30 lbs) and so it's likely 100lbs lighter than stock in front.

 

[Bamaro]

I’m running Edelbrock IAS shocks from many years ago.

Unfortunately, they are no longer available.

I’ve use Bilsteins on a couple of other vehicles and been happy with them.

Just curious, do you have the 'classic' (gray shock) or regular (red). I dont remember the difference but I still have the classic on my car.