What Shocks Should I Use For A Smooth Ride ?

[driver88]

My '68 Rally Sport with a 327-300 that I bought a year ago, has a very old pair of leaking air shocks in the rear with single leaf springs and the front shocks are fairly new, but they ride way too stiff. What do you all recommend for a "softer" ride ? ( as much as a Camaro can be "soft" ) Are the original spiral type fairly smooth ? I owned a 70 Chevy pick up and after I found some NOS original shocks for it - it changed it to a comfortable ride - not stiff anymore. I don't care if it "corners like a double bed" - it's just a car to take to shows and I'd like to get there without jarring my teeth loose, LOL

[crossboss]

You cant go wrong with a set of KYBs. Nice ride, reasonable in price and they will last for years. A no brainer.

[driver88]

I've seen a lot of them on more performance minded Camaros ( mine started life as a 230 CID six cylinder ) It won't be going around any corners fast LOL. I tried to put a picture of the car in here, it said the file was too big.

[Sauron327]

KYB Excel stock replacements provide a smooth ride. KYB Gas-A-Justs ride like a rock

[driver88]

THANKS . . that's what I needed to know . . the people with the Super Sports and Z28 must use the Gas-A-Justs.

[MO]

Or, you can find NOS Delco's, Koni's or Bilstein's as well. I prefer the ride of hydraulic shocks over gas charged.   

[driver88]

I'd like to find someone on here that's had NOS Delco's and the KYB Excel Stock Replacements on the SAME car to compare the ride  .  .  .

[crossboss]

I'd like to find someone on here that's had NOS Delco's and the KYB Excel Stock Replacements on the SAME car to compare the ride  .  .  .

Maybe I can help...somewhat. I did a direct back to back test using KYB 'gas-a-just' to Konis on a 1969 Mustang Fastback. Konis were very harsh. An excellent shock for track use, not so for a street car. The KYBs were very nice. Not mushy, but firm/pleasant ride. Hope this helps you out.

[MO]

As you can see, you'll get different opinions and that may not help you make a decision. If you can find a Camaro (or?) club near you, you might be able to get a ride from members with different shock types to help you decide. Otherwise, go with your gut....unless you don't mind buying two sets and reselling whatever you don't use.

[crossboss]

As you can see, you'll get different opinions and that may not help you make a decision. If you can find a Camaro (or?) club near you, you might be able to get a ride from members with different shock types to help you decide. Otherwise, go with your gut....unless you don't mind buying two sets and reselling whatever you don't use.

Absolutely! Remember, the Camaro uses a coil spring on the lower A arm, and Mustang uses the coil spring on top of the A arm. Different engineering. Generally speaking, Camaro will ride nicer to the Mustang, just because of those differences. Think of it like this: Mustang's front is more or less like a cheap McPerson strut, or damper. You will 'feel' the harshness at a greater level, than compared to a coil under the frame that absorbs the bumps as in Camaro. That said, shocks will greatly enhance or reduce those qualities.

[69Z28-RS]

In any system, the springs and shocks have to work together...  The springs cushion and isolate the car body from road perturbations, and the shocks are to 'dampen out' spring movement due to the perturbations.

The OP's 'harsh ride' might be due more to the springs than the shocks.  Leaf springs in particular do not act as 'perfect springs' in that the leaves have friction between them, and develop more friction over time when the leaf isolators wear out and they don't 'slide' easily between one another.  Replacing the plastic isolators and lubricating between the leaves will help in this regard.  The bushings at the ends of the springs also add a 'friction' component which is a detrimental factor to perfect spring action.

[driver88]

Thanks, guys . . . as I said, I owned a restored '70 Chevy pick up with an eight-foot bed - when I change those shocks back to NOS originals, it rode like I wanted it to. I'll probably just start looking for some originals for my Camaro and try them out. The rear suspension needs some work anyway ( worn out leaking air shocks and it's sitting too low also ) It's going into a shop on the 30th, so I'll ask the people there what their opinion about shocks are, too.

[driver88]

In any system, the springs and shocks have to work together...  The springs cushion and isolate the car body from road perturbations, and the shocks are to 'dampen out' spring movement due to the perturbations.

The OP's 'harsh ride' might be due more to the springs than the shocks.  Leaf springs in particular do not act as 'perfect springs' in that the leaves have friction between them, and develop more friction over time when the leaf isolators wear out and they don't 'slide' easily between one another.  Replacing the plastic isolators and lubricating between the leaves will help in this regard.  The bushings at the ends of the springs also add a 'friction' component which is a detrimental factor to perfect spring action.

I'll talk to the shop owner about what you are saying - he might be able to do something along those lines ( as far as I know, my car has the original single leaf springs - and it left the factory with a 230 CID six cylinder, too - that might have something to do with the "problem" too !!! )

[camaronut]

Just don’t get the repro spirals.  Talk about a bad ride....I’m taking mine off, and replacing with regular AC Delco’s from Rock Auto.  Great price too.
BTW, the repros are not for sale.

[driver88]

Do you know what the AC Delco from Rock Auto ride like ( or are you just "hoping" they will be better ? ) I'm an old man now, LOL and I don't care about good cornering - just cruising smoothly down the road. THANKS for your help.

[driver88]

Just don’t get the repro spirals.  Talk about a bad ride....I’m taking mine off, and replacing with regular AC Delco’s from Rock Auto.  Great price too.
BTW, the repros are not for sale.

I forgot to click on "Quote" so I'd better ask again - was the bad ride you got with the repro spirals do to them being TOO SOFT ? Most people want a firm ride so it will corner better. I'm looking for a soft ride for my '68 - it's just a 327, so maybe I might like the repro's.

[MO]

I have no personal experience, but the concerns that I have heard of are; poor valving and leaks leading to failure. I'm not sure if they are meant for everyday use or just for show/judging.

[driver88]

I have no personal experience, but the concerns that I have heard of are; poor valving and leaks leading to failure. I'm not sure if they are meant for everyday use or just for show/judging.

Well, I wouldn't want leaking or poor valving either - thanks for the reply !!!

[camaronut]

Just don’t get the repro spirals.  Talk about a bad ride....I’m taking mine off, and replacing with regular AC Delco’s from Rock Auto.  Great price too.
BTW, the repros are not for sale.

I forgot to click on "Quote" so I'd better ask again - was the bad ride you got with the repro spirals do to them being TOO SOFT ? Most people want a firm ride so it will corner better. I'm looking for a soft ride for my '68 - it's just a 327, so maybe I might like the repro's.

It rides way too hard.  I pulled and replaced the rears yesterday / fronts in a day or two.  I noticed when pushing down on the rear bumper, there is more rebound.  Before - hardly anything. 
A friend of mine told me that they reminded him of the ride in a F41 optioned car.  Not too sure about that.
Anyone else have that experience?

[driver88]

Just don’t get the repro spirals.  Talk about a bad ride....I’m taking mine off, and replacing with regular AC Delco’s from Rock Auto.  Great price too.
BTW, the repros are not for sale.

I forgot to click on "Quote" so I'd better ask again - was the bad ride you got with the repro spirals do to them being TOO SOFT ? Most people want a firm ride so it will corner better. I'm looking for a soft ride for my '68 - it's just a 327, so maybe I might like the repro's.

It rides way too hard.  I pulled and replaced the rears yesterday / fronts in a day or two.  I noticed when pushing down on the rear bumper, there is more rebound.  Before - hardly anything. 
A friend of mine told me that they reminded him of the ride in a F41 optioned car.  Not too sure about that.
Anyone else have that experience?

THANKS . . that's what I need to know - I just canceled my order for the spirals.

[camaronut]

Driver - if you have a car that's a show car - the spirals will be a good addition to concourse judging. 

Luckily, I'm done with all that BS.

[driver88]

Driver - if you have a car that's a show car - the spirals will be a good addition to concourse judging. 

Luckily, I'm done with all that BS.

No, it will never be judged like that ( I was a judge in NCRS for ten years, I'm DONE with THAT too LOL ) This car will just be driven to local shows and cruises, so I'm looking for shocks that will help give it as soft a ride as can be for a '68 Camaro. It looks like the best for me will be a cheap, name brand shock - not Heavy Duty, just "regular".

[driver88]

Driver - if you have a car that's a show car - the spirals will be a good addition to concourse judging. 

Luckily, I'm done with all that BS.

Which AC Delco shocks did you buy ? . . it looks like Rock Auto has a few different ones - I think the spirals are oil filled ? . . . and others are gas filled ? Is one of those "softer" than the other ?

[MO]

I prefer the ride of oil filled shocks for a pleasure car, and gas shocks for more of a performance use. 

[driver88]

I prefer the ride of oil filled shocks for a pleasure car, and gas shocks for more of a performance use.

THANKS, MO . . I thought that's how it was, but I haven't heard it for a long time - I'll find some oiled filled and see what happens.

[camaronut]

Driver - if you have a car that's a show car - the spirals will be a good addition to concourse judging. 

Luckily, I'm done with all that BS.

Which AC Delco shocks did you buy ? . . it looks like Rock Auto has a few different ones - I think the spirals are oil filled ? . . . and others are gas filled ? Is one of those "softer" than the other ?

The ones I ordered were AC Delco Advantage shocks.  Fronts were P/N: 520179 & Rears were 520182.  Note that the rears are for multileaf applications.  If you have a monoleaf, it'll be a different P/N.
Funny though, I didn't see what I bought listed in the search.  I put in the parts numbers, and they are still there.  Don't know what to tell ya. 
You can go to the AC Delco website and find the P/N for the monoleaf camaros and put that number into the rock auto site and see if they have it in stock.
Good Luck!!

[169INDY]

Both those PN's can be found at RockAuto fairly affordable

[driver88]

Driver - if you have a car that's a show car - the spirals will be a good addition to concourse judging. 

Luckily, I'm done with all that BS.

Which AC Delco shocks did you buy ? . . it looks like Rock Auto has a few different ones - I think the spirals are oil filled ? . . . and others are gas filled ? Is one of those "softer" than the other ?

The ones I ordered were AC Delco Advantage shocks.  Fronts were P/N: 520179 & Rears were 520182.  Note that the rears are for multileaf applications.  If you have a monoleaf, it'll be a different P/N.
Funny though, I didn't see what I bought listed in the search.  I put in the parts numbers, and they are still there.  Don't know what to tell ya. 
You can go to the AC Delco website and find the P/N for the monoleaf camaros and put that number into the rock auto site and see if they have it in stock.
Good Luck!!

THANKS, again . . my springs ARE the original mono-leaf that it left the factory with since it was a six cylinder then. ( I have new mono-leaf springs coming, too ) Looking on the Rock Auto website, both of those part numbers you gave me are GAS filled shocks - I was starting to think that most people like the OIL filled shocks for a "softer" ride ? I'd like to know how you think your Camaro rides compared to the spirals you just took off, after you get all four Delco Advantage installed - if you could add that info here, it would be appreciated !!! I'm also hoping that the new springs will bring the rear up an inch or so, to make it even with the front's new springs look.

[camaronut]

You'd need the AC Delco P/N: 520298 for your monoleaf application.
I don't drive my car as much as I should, so waiting for me to tell you what its like may be a few weeks from now - but for what these are, you can't beat the price.
I'm sure the ride will be good.

So - 520179 for the front - 520298 for the rear monoleafs.

Good Luck to ya.  Also the car looks awesome!!!

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

The type and age of the tires that you have on your Camaro could affect the ride.  When the original Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires needed to be replaced on my 1998 Z28, I bought Goodyear F1 GS-D3 and the ride deteriorated, especially when on the freeway.  When I replaced the Goodyears with BF Goodrich g-Force Sport tires, the ride improved considerably.  The Z28 still has its original shocks.

[driver88]

The type and age of the tires that you have on your Camaro could affect the ride.  When the original Goodyear Eagle GS-C tires needed to be replaced on my 1998 Z28, I bought Goodyear F1 GS-D3 and the ride deteriorated, especially when on the freeway.  When I replaced the Goodyears with BF Goodrich g-Force Sport tires, the ride improved considerably.  The Z28 still has its original shocks.

I just had those Hankook white walls made at Diamond Back Classic radials just after I bought the car a year ago - they ride A LOT smoother then the BF Goodrich Radial TA's someone had just put on it. I'm hoping the new springs and shocks will make it even better.

[MO]

Look forward to hearing what you end up with and if they meet your expectations.

[driver88]

Look forward to hearing what you end up with and if they meet your expectations.

I'll definitely tell you what I think . . one way or another !!! LOL

[driver88]

I just picked up the '68 from the shop, and I'm pleased with the work they did - they installed new mono-leaf springs and Monroe-matic shocks on the rear. They seem to ride a little smoother then the old, leaking air shocks ( but, they'd almost HAVE TO - LOL ) The front springs were fairly new when I bought the car a year ago, along with a pair of shocks up front similar to the Monroe's. This setup will do for now, as I show it to people and talk about it, I might find other options for shocks in the future.

[MO]

Nice! Glad to hear that you're happy with the results. Now it's time to get out and enjoy it!

Thanks for the update!

[ban617]

Make sure that your rear shackles aren’t bound up or you will have a harsh ride .... Also if the shocks are too short in the rear it will ride harsh...