87firebirdgta

I have a 1987 Trans Am GTA and I am in need of new shocks and struts. I would like them to perform well on the street and drag strip. Does any one have any good recommendations?

plum92_camaro

gregl316

iTrader: (1)

How much do you want to spend and what do you want out of the car?

Eric-86sc

iTrader: (18)

Define perform well: if your looking for a corner carver on the street that can be a wheel stander at the track at the same time it's not going to happen. You kind of have to settle for superb street handling and spinning at the track or dead hooking at the track while slowing it down on corners. Or settle for average on both as middle ground.

Lakerman62

iTrader: (3)

Koni now makes an affordable entry level set up called STR.Ts $400, I believe pronounced streets, just picked up a set for my 96, have not installed, I have kybs on my daily driven 84, they work fine, nothing special, though

Buddy

Have your exact car. I upgraded years ago to Moog springs and KYB struts/shocks. Had them for years and just grew unhappy with that setup. Did my research and replaced that with Eibach and Bilstein setup, had them for about 8 years now. Very happy!!

peterc005

@Buddy - which Bilstein shocks did you get?

How would you describe the ride?

Buddy

I went with the Eibach Pro kit and HD Bilsteins. Pro kit is a 1' drop, so perfect, Sportlines are too much of a drop for my liking and the ride gets harsher. Any setup in our cars is going to be tight and firm, but I found this setup to be near the top in terms of a "smooth" ride, while keeping handling amazing. It's a bit pricey, but once it's done your done forever, I spent more $ going through different setups, so I suppose I spent more LOL. I got mine at shox.com, was the cheapest price around at that time.

peterc005

@Buddy you mean the B6 HD, not the B8 SP?

I'm still trying to figure out the difference, I thought the SP were designed for lowered suspension and would be better with the Eibach springs?.

Buddy

Bilstein only makes 1 strut for the front, but 2 shocks for the rear, HD and Sport. The Sport is just slightly firmer. I went with the HD and don't think I would want the Sport, HD is perfect. I am lowered 1". I seem to recall something about the Sports and 2" lowering (Eibach Sportlines), but either shock will work on your car.

peterc005

It's hard to figure out, and the Bilstein website is useless.

Summit seem to offer a SP front strut for third gens, but not the HD version:

http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...t/model/camaro

I read somewhere that the HD and SP had the valveing, but that the SP was for lowered cars which would suit me as I have Eibach Proline springs.

Did you Bilstein HDs lift the car ride height?

I'll probably just go with the Bilstein HD, a lot of people seem to recommend them with Eibach springs.

Buddy

Also try shox.com, they have both. The shocks/struts didn't seem to lift my car much.... I put the Eibachs on at the same time, so my car came out lower than stock after.

peterc005

Buddy, seems you are right, only Bilstein HD available for the front struts.

I'll get a set of front/rear Bilstein HD.

Buddy

If you go on shox.com, you have to look them up under 82-92 Chevy Camaro. It will come up Camaro/Firebird.
You will be happy with the HD's and Eibach Pro kit. Bilstein and Koni are both top notch shocks/struts, great quality and R&D in them. You'll see when they are in your hand.