Expensive Shocks

[firebirdn]

So the scoop is I just bought bought some Bilsteins and got them installed because I didn't want to do them myself. Turned out to be almost a $ 1K upgrade : 0 !!!! The bird needed them bad and it rides awesome now. Too bad I can't afford to put gas in it! Don't buy Bilsteins at Autozone because they quoted me over 700 for the shocks. I got a set off the internet for around $400. Once I had it in at the shop it turned out the front mounts were rotted out ($200).Super!!!And It took them a long a$$ time to put them in. Apperently because I have a convertible there is much finagling of the top to be done as well. Thats my schpeill just figured I'd share !

[pace2006]

Re: Expensive Shocks

Gotta pay to play. Konis and Strano springs cost more than that. ;)

[techsan23]

Re: Expensive Shocks

Nice. Did you do springs too?

I had a shop rebuild my front end originally and labor ran me $700. I bought all the parts: shocks, springs, poly bushing master kit, tie rods, strut mounts and upper/lower ball joints.

A strut tower brace on a vert would probably make a noticeable difference for you also.

[IceHammer]

Re: Expensive Shocks

Nice. Did you do springs too?

I had a shop rebuild my front end originally and labor ran me $700. I bought all the parts: shocks, springs, poly bushing master kit, tie rods, strut mounts and upper/lower ball joints.

A strut tower brace on a vert would probably make a noticeable difference for you also.

Changing the front shocks on our cars is no joke, major PITA especially when old and rusty. $100 was the price of your sanity

techsan, what difference would a strut tower make exactly? Stiffer over bumps in the front, better damped ride? I put some bilsteins on my 2000 last year and its great but if it could be better id consider a tower brace.

[whitdog54]

Re: Expensive Shocks

shock tower brace is about 90% looks 10% functionality, even on a vert. hotchkiss is probably the best becquse you actually have to pry that thing into place. The ones that just drop on dont do schitt.

[ssms5411]

Re: Expensive Shocks

My QA-1's were about $750-$800 just for the shocks. Once you done the front shocks by yourself , you'll be able to do them the next time quicker.

[techsan23]

Re: Expensive Shocks

techsan, what difference would a strut tower make exactly? Stiffer over bumps in the front, better damped ride?

I absolutely noticed a difference under hard braking going into a corner. Thats about it. Ive got T-tops. A hard top car probably wouldnt see as much of a difference.

[ssms5411]

Re: Expensive Shocks

I noticed the STB mainly in the corners and changing lanes on the highway,

[firebirdn]

Re: Expensive Shocks

I think it handles like a champ anyhow. Don't think I'd spend the $$$ for one. I was still running the stock shocks.Theres no track around here and I don't run auto X. It be nice if it was faster though! :rolleyes:

[fbodyrs96]

Re: Expensive Shocks

STB and SFC's make a world of difference on a Vert especially a 3point STB.

[Tom Rs]

Re: Expensive Shocks

^^^ i hate working under the hood now, i can only imagine how worse it has to be with a 3 pt

[truekoa]

Re: Expensive Shocks

I was just about to say that thing looks cramped as hell.

[enzia35]

Re: Expensive Shocks

I recently got a Miata, and have been looking through the forums for it. People are dropping 1.5-3k on coilovers and thinking it's cheap.

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: Expensive Shocks

Exactly. I've but Tein and Stance coilovers on evo's. Both start at $1500, I think the Tein kit was about $3k when all was said and done.

[Bird_Of_Prey]

Re: Expensive Shocks

So the scoop is I just bought bought some Bilsteins and got them installed because I didn't want to do them myself. Turned out to be almost a $ 1K upgrade : 0 !!!! The bird needed them bad and it rides awesome now. Too bad I can't afford to put gas in it! Don't buy Bilsteins at Autozone because they quoted me over 700 for the shocks. I got a set off the internet for around $400. Once I had it in at the shop it turned out the front mounts were rotted out ($200).Super!!!And It took them a long a$$ time to put them in. Apperently because I have a convertible there is much finagling of the top to be done as well. Thats my schpeill just figured I'd share !

So it was only about $400 to install all 4? That's not too unreasonable. FWIW, you can do it yourself in less than an afternoon with hand tools. I think I had my QA1's in the Camaro in under 2 hours.