Shocks

[Choppers]

Hey guys I have a 96 Camaro RS with a 3.8. I am wanting to know what are good shocks to replace mine for a reasonable price.

[Christopherrr]

3.8 or not...reasonable to me would be Bilstein. Great shocks without going too deep in the pockets.

[Choppers]

Are you talking about the BilStein Shocks that are on SLP's website?

[Choppers]

Also using the Bilstein Shocks will i be able to see a handling improvement?

[dochidalgo]

Choppers:
The SLP Bilsteins are softer than the originals Heavy Duty Bilsteins...so, depends on your confort/handling preferences...I would recommed to you the Heavy Duty ones.
Sam Strano is a reputable & reliable suspension expert....he sells the Bilsteins (among other brands) normal or re-valved (like the SLP's) specially for his own specs.
http://www.stranoparts.com/product_l...ory=Suspension

Click on the board forum and you make the questions, he answer you....

Regards
Dochidalgo

[Christopherrr]

dochidalgo is right about SLP's version being a little softer. I wouldn't know if there is a noticable difference, but I'm running heavy duty.

If you're running stock springs, Bilsteins will definately compliment them well and yes, you'll notice a vast imporvment in the handling dept. I suggest a strut tower brace while you're at it...BMR, priced low and effective.

[Choppers]

So what you guys are saying is that you guys are running the BilStein Heavy Duties? If so how much did you'll pay? And where did you order them from?

[Choppers]

"And the Strut Tower Brace" what does this do and how much does it cost and where do you get it?

[Jeff_in_Atl]

"And the Strut Tower Brace" what does this do and how much does it cost and where do you get it?

FYI on the 93-02 F-body it is a "shock tower brace" not a "strut tower brace". 93-02 don't have struts. They have shocks. Just a little pet peave of mine.
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/F-body...hocktowerbrace
http://www.spohn.net/category.cfm?categoryid=1165
http://www.stealthperf.com/cgi-bin/s...ml?id=kx5IhtZP
http://www.lmperformance.com/c/4/2.html

The one product of BMRs that I don't like is the shock tower brace. It's very hard to get to the inner nuts to mount it. The passenger side is directly under the A/C line. Both are under the bar. All of the solid bars are that way. The only one that is a good design in my opinion is the Hotchkis. You can mount the mounts then put the bar on. You can also easily remove the bar to work on the engine. The only reason I have the BMR is a bought a package set and basically it was free.


Don't you love it. Hotchkis calls it a "strut bar".
http://www.hotchkis.net/cgi-bin/EDCs...catalogno=2003

[Choppers]

Could I use the Hotchkis One since I don't have a LT1?

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Could I use the Hotchkis One since I don't have a LT1?

I'm not sure. I can't think why not. But I can't help but think that you could spend your money in a better way. The first thing you need to ask yourself is what you want to accomplish and how much is your budget. Something to consider, you are starting with a 6 cylinder and you might after a while be left wanting a V8. You are not going to get but about $.25 on the dollar on your mods that you put in your car then you get a V8 and want to buy it all again.

[Christopherrr]

FYI on the 93-02 F-body it is a "shock tower brace" not a "strut tower brace". 93-02 don't have struts. They have shocks. Just a little pet peave of mine.

Diddly noted...

[Choppers]

Well how hard is it to change the front shocks. The rear are easy but i don't know about the front. And can someone send me a link to the BilStein Shocks that you'll used and tell me how you guys like them?

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Well how hard is it to change the front shocks. The rear are easy but i don't know about the front. And can someone send me a link to the BilStein Shocks that you'll used and tell me how you guys like them?

Here is Injuneer's write up on changing the shocks. http://members.aol.com/InjuneerZZ/HALEibch.htm
Removal is the same no matter what shock you use. He installs HAL shocks which is a little different than regular shocks. For you just assembly in reverse order.

I can't stress how bad it is when he says the shock nut is rusted. You will need something like an impact wrench to get that nut off.

[Choppers]

I live in Florida and I have inspected the back already and it's not rusted "YET" that is. SO hopefully the Front isn't.