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Bilstein HEAVY DUTY or SPORT??

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Old 07-06-2010, 10:19 AM
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Mrmatt2009
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Default Bilstein HEAVY DUTY or SPORT??

I am getting new shocks for my 95. Starting with just the front for now, I notice the HD and Sport are about the same price. What do you recommend, whats the main differences? Thanks, -Matt
Old 07-06-2010, 10:26 AM
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84crossfire350
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I am looking at these shocks too. What is the difference between HD and sport and should you put sport on a non Z51 vette or can you put HD on too?
Old 07-06-2010, 11:02 AM
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BADDUCK
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Originally Posted by Mrmatt2009
I am getting new shocks for my 95. Starting with just the front for now, I notice the HD and Sport are about the same price. What do you recommend, whats the main differences? Thanks, -Matt
If you have the base suspension I would advise you not buy the Sport shocks. The difference is the valving which is tuned to the Z51 suspension. Physically you can do it but I doubt you will like the ride. HD Bilsteins are plenty stiff.
Old 07-06-2010, 11:43 AM
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I believe the Sports are the ones that are stiffer. I would not go for those if you drive the car often, even if you do have Z51. You should be able to use either.
Old 07-06-2010, 12:21 PM
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84crossfire350
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Originally Posted by vader86
I believe the Sports are the ones that are stiffer. I would not go for those if you drive the car often, even if you do have Z51. You should be able to use either.
So I guess the heavy duty shocks are not so heavy duty.
Old 07-06-2010, 12:57 PM
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pcolt94
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Originally Posted by vader86
I believe the Sports are the ones that are stiffer. I would not go for those if you drive the car often, even if you do have Z51. You should be able to use either.


Not too long ago I installed the HD shocks. The car is my DD and it did ride hard but did not believe the shocks were bad. I just needed the edge taken off and it did just that. The ride is better and still handles great. There is less rear wheel bounce and they stay on the ground more and I stay in the seat more also. (The wife likes it better too.)

The Sport shocks are stiffer than the HD and probably more like the shocks I took off. I have kept the old shocks just in case and believe they are still good. I am happy with the ride now.
Old 07-06-2010, 12:58 PM
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BADDUCK
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Originally Posted by 84crossfire350
So I guess the heavy duty shocks are not so heavy duty.
YES, they absolutely are, compared to KYB, Monroe, Gabriel, etc. THAT IS WHY I SAID THEY ARE PLENTY STIFF.
Old 07-06-2010, 01:17 PM
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You drive a Vette, buy the HD and go for some twisties
Old 07-06-2010, 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by 84crossfire350
So I guess the heavy duty shocks are not so heavy duty.
Yes they are.
Old 07-06-2010, 01:49 PM
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ggrassmid
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I put the extreme bilstiens on my car. I do autocross it and was looking for the stiffness. I really like it, though it is slightly toooo stiff for the street, but I'm 26 and can handle it a little easier. the "Cinch" button works wonders :-)
Old 07-06-2010, 03:20 PM
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Mrmatt2009
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Thanks everyone. I ordered up the HDs !
Old 07-06-2010, 03:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Mrmatt2009
Thanks everyone. I ordered up the HDs !
good call
Old 07-06-2010, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Mrmatt2009
Thanks everyone. I ordered up the HDs !
I hope you asked the vendor for the definite specs on the shocks.

IMO I think they are listed funny then. When I think sport I think less than HD, or Performance, or what ever. I hope I am wrong. Hopefully the HD is softer than the sport if that is what you want.

I can't get a stiff enough ride out of the vette compared to how stiff I got one of my old stangs.
Old 07-06-2010, 04:28 PM
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Originally Posted by pologreen1
I hope you asked the vendor for the definite specs on the shocks.

IMO I think they are listed funny then. When I think sport I think less than HD, or Performance, or what ever. I hope I am wrong. Hopefully the HD is softer than the sport if that is what you want.
They are listed funny and in a reverse order of logic or common sense. I think it is a poor choice of item description as you would think of it. I did check it out thoroughly when I bought mine at a show at Ecklers and did question it myself. The HD is the softer shock (or softer ride).
Old 07-06-2010, 08:10 PM
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Mrmatt2009
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Originally Posted by pcolt94
They are listed funny and in a reverse order of logic or common sense. I think it is a poor choice of item description as you would think of it. I did check it out thoroughly when I bought mine at a show at Ecklers and did question it myself. The HD is the softer shock (or softer ride).

Thanks for the clarification... good to know
Old 07-06-2010, 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by ggrassmid
the "Cinch" button works wonders :-)
It does? Mine doesn't do anything. What's it supposed to do?
Old 07-06-2010, 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
It does? Mine doesn't do anything. What's it supposed to do?
The Cinch button keeps the lap belt from extracting, so I can tighten it down around my lap, then move the seat forward some to tighten it up more than I can with my hand pushing the belt back in. I am not sure if it is supposed to keep the shoulder belt tight though

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Old 07-07-2010, 09:31 PM
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Old 07-07-2010, 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by ggrassmid
The Cinch button keeps the lap belt from extracting, so I can tighten it down around my lap, then move the seat forward some to tighten it up more than I can with my hand pushing the belt back in. I am not sure if it is supposed to keep the shoulder belt tight though
Sounds like a racing harness is what you need. IMO
Old 07-07-2010, 11:43 PM
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Save your money, then buy all four.




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