C4 Shocks

[Floyd B.]

I'm a bit mystified by the shocks that came on my '96 LT-4. It's a convertible with the base suspension - according to the Service Parts Identification label. The car had 98k miles and a deep owners history when I bought it. The shocks are yellow Bilsteins with a yellow and blue sticker that reads Bilstein, Made in Germany and "Delco" in big letters along the bottom. See photo. I thought the Bilstien shocks only came with the Z51 package.

This car shows that it was not well cared for over its life so I highly doubt that any of the previous owners would have taken it to the dealer and upgraded the shocks. Is it possible that this car came with the Bilstien shocks from the factory? If so, what is the RPO that would have included these shocks?

Thanx

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Shocks

I'm a bit mystified by the shocks that came on my '96 LT-4. It's a convertible with the base suspension - according to the Service Parts Identification label. The car had 98k miles and a deep owners history when I bought it. The shocks are yellow Bilsteins with a yellow and blue sticker that reads Bilstein, Made in Germany and "Delco" in big letters along the bottom. See photo. I thought the Bilstien shocks only came with the Z51 package.

This car shows that it was not well cared for over its life so I highly doubt that any of the previous owners would have taken it to the dealer and upgraded the shocks. Is it possible that this car came with the Bilstien shocks from the factory? If so, what is the RPO that would have included these shocks?

Thanx

Floyd-----


ALL C4 Corvettes from at least 1989 used Delco-Bilstein shock absorbers. I think that some prior to 1989 used them also.

[Tom H.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Floyd !

Joe is right. You got the right ones.

[Floyd B.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Thanx. In Cor-Vette Specs, Mike Antonick says,

Shock absorber make: de Carbon (base), Bilstein (optional)

Is this information incorrect or am I interpreting it inccorectly?

The Black Book also implies that the Bilstein shocks only came with RPO Z51.

[Jim T.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Floyd just like Joe and Tom have posted, my original owner 96 LT4 with standard suspension has the Delco Bilstien shocks.

[Jake D.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Our '96 LT4 has the same shocks- all original- came from Bowling Green with 'em!

[William C.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Back as far as '85 at least you could order the gas shocks as a standalone option. I had them on my '85 I bought new.

[Floyd B.]

Re: C4 Shocks

98k miles and it has the original shocks and spark plug wires. In one sense that's cool and the primary reason I bought the car (well okay, it's the second reason, the first being it was so cheap) but it also speaks to how poorly maintained this car has been over its life. I haven't looked yet but I wouldn't be surprised to find the original spark plugs in the car.

[Terry M.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Maybe it is a tribute to the quality of the original parts. Just another way of looking at it.

[William C.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Original plugs would be not at all unusual, the use of unleaded Fuel along with the HEI Ignition systems had a target design life for the ignition system of 100, 000 miles, with many able to fuction normally well beyond that mileage.

[Bill M.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Maybe it is a tribute to the quality of the original parts. Just another way of looking at it.

Agree. The C4 had some very high quality design features. Thanks, Dave McLellan!

[Ken C.]

Re: C4 Shocks

My 1987 Convertible also has the Bilstien shocks and from the info I have on the car these are the original factory shocks. These shocks are now leaking at 110000 kilometers and I will be replacing this winter. My question is, is there a good replacement shock that will give the same performance but at a little lessor costs. I am looking at the KYB shocks at the moment. Anyone with experience with this shock.

Ken

[Pat M.]

Re: C4 Shocks

I've seen several instances with 96 LT4 cars with yellow shocks like Floyd's. Yet my original-owner LT4 has black shocks, and they are unquestionably original. Did others have black shocks? Is it because I have adjustible ride control?

[Joe L.]

Re: C4 Shocks

I've seen several instances with 96 LT4 cars with yellow shocks like Floyd's. Yet my original-owner LT4 has black shocks, and they are unquestionably original. Did others have black shocks? Is it because I have adjustible ride control?

Pat-----


I think that's the reason for the difference.

[Pat M.]

Re: C4 Shocks

Thank you Joe!!