Should I change my shocks?

tommyd · 05-21-2003, 12:25 PM

Hi all,

My '84 targa has about 113k miles on it and I have no reason to believe that the shocks have ever been changed. They are green (Bilstein) on all four corners. I've done 3 DE's so far this year and have been thinking about upgrading my torsion bars now that I might be able to tell how the change affected the handling. Although I don't have any obvious reason (except mileage) to change the shocks, I'm thinking about changing those as well. Should I bother? I think the car handles OK, but I don't really know what OK is. Everyone else who has driven the car seems to have disliked the long throw shifting to the point that I can't seem to get a good read on anything else. And, at the DE's I've been to so far, it seems like everyone else is either driving a much newer car or one that is decked out for racing. Hopefully I'll run into someone with some driving experience in a stock car of this age at an upcoming event and get some good feedback there as well.

Thanks.

Superman · 05-21-2003, 12:41 PM

While Bilsteins are known for their longevity, I suspect your shocks are not working as well as they did nineteen years ago. And if you install stiffer torsion bars, you will be well advised to upgrade yoru shocks to match. Stiffer torsion bars store a great deal of energy and release it quickly. Even when new, your stock shocks would be outgunned by stiffer torsion bars.

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

Believe me. If your shocks are that old you should change them if you have the $$$. I recently replaced my (probably original) rear shocks with Koni adjustables (fronts to be changed soon). I've not had the care alligned yet and the ride height is about 1.5"s too high but...the handling is night & day to what it was before.

I think it's easy to get used to what you have and you only realise the difference when something drastic changes. I would go for it before T-bar mods!

tommyd · 05-21-2003, 02:41 PM

Cool. I was mainly thinking of doing both torsion bars and shocks (and maybe turbo tie rods) all at once so I could get the car aligned and balanced all at once. But it would be nice to see how each change affected the handling.

Chris...have you adjusted your Koni adjustables yet? They sound cool, I'm just wondering how much people take advantage of the adjusting feature. Is it a quick and easy change? Would a person need adjustables in all four corners to really take advantage of it? I'm afraid I'd just leave it stiff unless it was a fairly quick change. And at that point why pay extra for a feature you don't use. Unless Konis are still better that Bilstien Sports, not that I think I could tell the difference. I think I'd need to swap out my Bilstien struts for Konis if I went that route.

masraum · 05-21-2003, 02:45 PM

Change your shocks/struts!! I recently did the shocks and struts on my '88 and they seemed ok to me before, but when I started pulling them out I found out that they were completely shot. It made a huge difference having the new parts in place.

masraum · 05-21-2003, 02:48 PM

I would stick with the Bilsteins, personally. You can get the new inserts. To replace the whole strut in the front is much more expensive.

ted · ted's Garage

If you are going to stiffer T bars don't settle for stock Bilstien sport shocks.
I had the yellow shocks with 30/21 t bars.
I recently got some revalved Bilstien shocks that made for a huge improvement.
Got mine at Mirage International in San Diego.
1 858 581 1101.
tell'm long Mike sent ya.

hint..
The stiffer t bars like a little more rebound control.

Superman · 05-21-2003, 02:55 PM

Like I've said, Konis are awesome shocks, but it would be difficult...very difficult, to convince me that they are better than Bilsteins.

Doesn't Bilstein now make an adjustable Sport shock?

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Well my car only has 70k on it and the shocks/struts were toast.
Just got new bilstein sports, new wheel bearings, front end alignment and wow what a difference.

Like masraum I thought the car felt pretty good before but now it is awesome. I could feel the difference immediately.
Do it. You will love it.

HarryD · 05-21-2003, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tommyd
Hi all,

My '84 targa has about 113k miles on it and I have no reason to believe that the shocks have ever been changed. They are green (Bilstein) on all four corners. I've done 3 DE's so far this year and have been thinking about upgrading my torsion bars now that I might be able to tell how the change affected the handling. Although I don't have any obvious reason (except mileage) to change the shocks, I'm thinking about changing those as well. Should I bother? I think the car handles OK, but I don't really know what OK is. Everyone else who has driven the car seems to have disliked the long throw shifting to the point that I can't seem to get a good read on anything else. And, at the DE's I've been to so far, it seems like everyone else is either driving a much newer car or one that is decked out for racing. Hopefully I'll run into someone with some driving experience in a stock car of this age at an upcoming event and get some good feedback there as well.

Thanks.

Hi Tom,

If you are upgrading your t-bars, you definately need to look at your shocks. You may need to go to ones with different valve rates. If it was me, I would be talking to a Porsche Speed shop for advice. There is a local fellow near me who is very knowledgable and would be able to help you sort it all out.

HarryD · 05-21-2003, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jester911
Well my car only has 70k on it and the shocks/struts were toast.
Just got new bilstein sports, new wheel bearings, front end alignment and wow what a difference.

Like masraum I thought the car felt pretty good before but now it is awesome. I could feel the difference immediately.
Do it. You will love it.

I had heard that sports in rear and HDs in front was a great combo for our cars.

tommyd · 05-22-2003, 07:51 AM

Thanks everyone for the advice. After looking though your comments and searching through past posts, I will upgrade them both at the same time.

The only non-stock thing about my car is that it has been lowered a bunch. Does any one have experience with Bilstein RSR struts that are suppose to help reduce bump steer issues with lowered cars?

I figure if I'm going to do all this, I might has well just do it only once.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but . . .

HarryD, I note your moniker has changed from "unemployed" to "reemployed". Are congratulations in order, or would you prefer condolences as this means less time with the car? Details?

Wil Ferch · 05-22-2003, 08:18 AM

I may have mentioned this before, but here goes...

Both Bilstein and Koni are very good brand names.
If your car had Bilsteins, then you can with them again and not have to readjust ride height. You will most likely require ride height adjustment as you move from Boge to high pressure gas shocks like Bilsteins.

I had Boges originally, and went to adjustable ( for rebound) Konis...low pressure gas fronts ( not requiring ride height adjustment...or at least easily done if required)...and fully huydraulic rears, also adjustable. These special part number rears are also about 2" shorter in body length..making them ideal for later car lowering and it won't bring the working guts out of shock travel range. Both front and rears are adjustable via removable knob on the shock top...so you don't have to take the shock apart ( from one end of the mounts) to adjust like other Koni's.

Altogether ...a nice set up, and the additonal rebound adjustment can also be used for ( later) larger torsion bars....if you go that way later.

--Wil Ferch

Superman · 05-22-2003, 08:27 AM

Does Bilstein make an adjustable sport shock?

91C2wrencher · 91C2wrencher's Garage

I was recently searching for shocks/struts and the Bilstien web site is a mess! they seem to be in the middle of a website upgrade, which to you and me means some of the links don't work. FWIW I've got Bilstiens on my '91 and love'm.

HarryD · 05-22-2003, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jyl
Sorry to hi-jack the thread, but . . .

HarryD, I note your moniker has changed from "unemployed" to "reemployed". Are congratulations in order, or would you prefer condolences as this means less time with the car? Details?

Well, I guess it depends.... I have a nw job with the State but I lost my free time to mess with my car. So overall it's ok.

Probably the biggest short term disappointment is I will be unable to do the top end rebuild myself. I will need to pay my wrench for the labor as I do not want my car in pieces for the 3 -6 months it would take me (while I am working for the man) vs the 1 month I was planning.

Thanks for noticing

masraum · 05-22-2003, 09:12 AM

Harry, awesome, congrats!!

HarryD · 05-22-2003, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by masraum
Harry, awesome, congrats!!

Steve,

Thanks. I used to live in Clear Lake and work for HL&P. How about you.

I don't miss the weather but do miss the good folks I met there.

Take care.

Jamie79SC · 05-22-2003, 01:22 PM

Bump super's question - anyone know if there's an adjustible Bilstein?