Shocks advice

[737aviator]

I bought a 1980 911SC about two and a half years ago. I am just now starting the rebuild process. The car is a gray market car. I am not going for concours but am trying to bring the car up to a much better state. The question at hand is shocks and what would be good replacements and where the best prices can be found. I am not planning to race the car. Any advice on anything else I need to be thinking about concerning this purchase. I have seen an add in Panorama for a set of four shocks in various brands from Shox.com but don't know much about them.

Thanks for any help.

[mholbrook38]

Shox.com is a reputable company. San Diego area I believe. Do you know what you have in there now? They could be Bilstein (green body) or something else. Koni's are great of course but more $$$. I think either of these two brands would be best although Sachs may have a good shock as well. KYB and some other "rice" brands are probably not the best way to go.

[steely]

If you wanted to keep it stock, I'd say Koni's or Bilstiens - both available here (you might not get too many recommendations to go elsewhere since we're on our hosts site). I bought the rears here and did them myself. I had a mech do the fronts - now I wish I'd had done them my self as I would have $aved. You can upgrade to Sport / heavy duty if you wish too. There's quite a number of threads on this.

[737aviator]

The car is about two and a half hours away getting painted. Did not want to do that first but I am retiring in a month and won't have the dollars for a big job like that after retirement. So in answer to your question I don't have access to the car to check the shock brand. I am the third owner but I don't think the shocks have ever been replaced so most likely what ever the factory put on.
Thanks for the advice.

[Gustyones]

I just did Bilstein sports this morning on all 4's and it made a huge difference. I did it myself to save some $. It took about 4 hours.

[gregwils]

If you are looking for a "street" ride, then you will want Bilstein Heavy Duty. They are less firm than Sport. You should certainly consider our host, since they are allowing your questions to be answered at no charge. I bought the fronts here and had a set of rears that I had Bilstein rebuild.

Don't forget rubber bushings. A-arm bushings collapse after nearly 30 years. New shocks with bad bushings won't improve ride quality much if you are sitting on our torsion bars. ERP (available from our host) makes the best rubber bushings - front and rear. I bought my a-arm bushings here too.

It really is a serious faux pas to ask about alternative source for parts available here. I am sure it just didn't cross your mind.

[Nine17]

Love my Bilstein HD's. Great rebound damping, while maintaining the suppleness of the torsion-bar suspension.