When I bought my car, it still had the factory Bilstien shock and struts. I need to replace them badly, what shock and strut should I go with??? I won't be doing any autocrossing or anything but I do want it to handle good on the street.

Another thing, I probably need to replace the stock springs. I don't want to lower the car, but I like the stance it has now. If I put new springs on it will it make the car higher. If I put new 1" drop springs on it, will it have the same stance it does now with the 100, 000 mile springs on it.

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[quote=WhiteIrocZ;3188703]When I bought my car, it still had the factory Bilstien shock and struts. I need to replace them badly, what shock and strut should I go with??? I won't be doing any autocrossing or anything but I do want it to handle good on the street.

quote]

bilstien shocks and strust did not come stock on these cars, if you have them they are, buy some standards, the best you can get. if they are shot, they should be rebuildable. 1" springs should be right

 

There are many shock and strut combo's available to you. A quick search on TGO will give you an idea of what people run/use.
Koni Reds or Yellows, and the Bilsteins are some of the top choices...they are however, also the most expensive. I have a set of Koni yellow's, but I run my car on the track.
Tokio illumina, and KYB's are also a popular choice - these may be the ones you are after based on your description of intended use. In the end, If you are only concerned with replaced worn out parts, then perhaps a set of Monroe Sensatrac, would suit you - I guess anything new, would be better than a worn out set. Again depends on your budget and intended use.

For springs, this is hit and miss IF you are attempting to compare the ride hight you currently have to what may happen when you buy a new set of springs. I guess you could measure your current ride height, and compare it to the stock ride hight for your car (ie: year, and options). This would give you and idea of how much your springs have sagged over the years.
IMO, you are correct in assuming that the ride height will go up if you buy a set of OEM style replacement springs, - If you go with a 1" drop spring kit, then all you can do is make an educated guess as to where the car will sit in YOUR "perfered' ride hight. Compare your current measurements to what the OEM figures are and then finally to those of the drop kit figures. There are many threads on here (TGO) that describe members' experiences with drop kits (some even have pics - check both the suspension and appearance threads). This may give you an idea of what some kits will do.
-Andrew

 

If that is not true then I was misinformed that the Bilsteins were factory on Irocs.

Thanks for the advice, does anyone know where I can find the factory ride hieght specs and how to measure the ride hieght to spec...(like from the front crossmember to the ground or what?).

I definitely don't want to go with the sensatracs, they make your car handle like a boat and they bounce...basically what I have now with the wore out Bilsteins. Anyone tried the KYB GR2's.

 

bilstien shocks and strust did not come stock on these cars[/QUOTE]

According to the Camaro White Book, IROC's were equipped with "special front struts" and Delco-Bilstein rear shocks.

JamesC

 

[QUOTE=//<86TA>\\;3188729]My 87 IROC-Z28 has stock factory installed Bilstien shocks & struts. In fact they are still as good as new.

 

Yeah the guy who said that Bilsteins didn't come factory doesn't know what he's talking about. My Iroc came with them factory also. My car is 20 years old and these things are still as good as new. Though I am doing a complete restore job, so I'm shipping them to Bilstein for a rebuild. If you send the shocks and struts to Bilstein they will rebuild them for a fee. I think it is 65 each shock and 75 each strut. Alot of people opt to go Koni, but having them rebuilt may be more beneficial and easier on the wallet.

 

Yeah I have a white book too, but I didn't think to check it...but it is true, they are factory.
Rebuilding them is a very good idea and I will be sure to check into that.
Looking into about a 1" drop, nothing more...any good suggestions on springs?

 

did the 88 transam gta ws6 have Bilsteins also?

 

I got Hotchkis springs, I'm not 100% sure of how much it dropped but it was just about an inch. I belive that these springs drop 1inch in the rear and a inch and a half in the front. I am not positive though because I have yet to install the front because I'm waiting on a couple more peices for a complete front end rebuild. Hope I helped.

 

If you're spring are bad add a rubber spacer, they never lose spring rate, just load capacity. I spacer will bring that back, or don't and like the drop.

Just get new shocks.

 

Wow thats sweet that they will rebuild the shocks and struts for you. I saw the bilsteins on the rear of my car and was kind of wondering about them. I'm not sure if I still have them on the front but if I do I may just send the back to get rebuilt. Does anyone have the info on where to send them to? I have a set of eibachs on the way and I was just going to get some tokico shocks and struts but I'd rather have rebuilt bilsteins for sure!

 

sry i was mistaken.

 

http://www.bilstein.com/services.php...9b7b60afae3387 has just about everything you need to know right there. They will do just about everything to make them just like brand new besides a new powdercoat.