What shocks to run on a 69 Z
 

What shocks are people running on a pretty stock resto of a 69 Z? I’m using the factory springs and will probably paint them grey to give it the factory look. But this car is going to be driven and not a trailer queen. Some input would be great.

KYB gas shocks. Best bang for the buck.

X2

X3

I have a set on my 68 and the ride is Excellent. Summit Racing has them.

Any specific model?

Front/Rear Gas-a-Just Shock. Make sure you get the right part # for multi-lead spring or mono-leaf spring. The part # is now shared with other makes/models. I would call a tech line to confirm before ordering.

If you want to take this a step further... I would paint the shocks white and hop on ebay and grab a decal kit to dress them up as Hurst shocks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HURST-GABRI...BaH0-q&vxp=mtr

Or... you could always paint them shock absorber grey (LI Corvette Supply has a good rattle can paint) and apply the decal for the shock ID from Heartbeat City or Ground Up Restoration and you can have yourself a stock appearing shock if Day2 isn't your taste.

Dan

Awesome, I trust they will make my B.B. nova ride and steer better?

100%

I’m totally hijacking this thread, but what tires do you recommend? Again sorry for hijacking

I just put a set of those Coker Tire 'bias ply' looking radial on our '70 LS6 this summer. Really a great tire that looks like a bias ply but performs like a radial [because it is]. We're likely going to install a set on our '70 LT1 Corvette soon too. Cool tire for drivers.

Dan

I have these KYBs on my 69 and they're great. Very stock type ride.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/k...t/model/camaro

I have these Bilsteins on my 68 and I prefer the sportier ride. They're a bit stiffer and may be difficult to make appear stock.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/b...t/model/camaro

----Have KYB's on my 69 GP-SJ and like them. Also just put a set of the new bias-ply looking Cokers on the SJ, but road conditions preclude the cars use ,,,probably what looks like till spring. But the tires look great.......Bill S

What bias ply / radial tire would that be? Thanks.

I installed these...

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styl...adial-rwl.html

Others here enjoy these

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styl...-redlines.html

Thank you. I really hope they start making some of those in wider styles. I'd kill for a wide 60 or 50 that looks like a BP but is a radial, and I'd bet they'd sell a ton.

I ran some new KYB's on my 70 Chevelle SS and I really liked them until I drove my buddies 70 Chevelle SS with Bilsteins. Then swapped to those and it was a totally different car. Painted them spiral grey and they look and ride great!
On my 69 Camaro I went from some old Gabrials to some Hotchkis Fox shocks. More expensive but the car drives night and day better. Not rough riding at all. The shocks are the brains of your suspension and I recommend getting some really good ones. Again, nothing wrong with KYB's at all. But if you can spend a little more money there are some better options IMO. They can all be painted to look stock....

What bilstein model?

I run Konis (set to medium firmness) or Bilsteins on everything I own. The KYBs have always been way too harsh for my taste.

Some mixed reviews! Tough call. Sounds like it’s all personal preference!! The bilsteins are just so much more $$!!

KYB for budget minded, Bilstein are great. Another option is Koni Classic which were optional on the 67 and 68(?) Z28, If you go with KYB, paint them Chevy engine paint orange and they look like Koni.

Paul

I have Koni's on all four corners of my 69 Z. I have Koni's on the front of the El Camino. Gabriel Hi Jacker air shocks in the back.

Best part about the Koni's is they are adjustable.

I run Bilstein on my Bimmers. You have to pick from touring, HD and Sport. Sports are really stiff... really stiff.

The GM/Bilsteins work really well on a first gen Camaro, but you cannot adjust like you can a Koni.