C2: Shocks and Bushings

[Dan Pepper]

Now that I've got the bugs worked out of my engine/drive train (thanks Craig & Clem), I'd like to improve the handling of my '66 BB coupe. The car has 52k original miles, and has the original rubber bushings and Monroe replacement shocks. The car handles pretty well and drives solid, but the shocks feel a bit week - especially in the back - and the ride is a bit rough overall.

I'm going to set aside a weekend to replace the shocks and "refresh" the cracked rubber suspension components. I'd like to stay with rubber bushings and Delco shocks for judging purposes.

Any recomendations RE the best delco shocks to use and which rubber components to replace that will provide the most ride/handling improvement?

[Duke W.]

Re: C2: Shocks and Bushings

Replace the rear spring link cushions. I recommend Spax shocks - eleven way adjustable rebound damping and they can be adjusted on the car.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: C2: Shocks and Bushings

Dan-----

The best Delco shocks were the Reactec 560-series shocks. However, the rears are discontinued, although the fronts may still be available for awhile, at least. These shocks had virtually the exact same external configuration as the originals, except, of course, for "numbers" and "dates" but they had much improved internals----the best of all worlds. Alas, they are history, now.

The currrent Delco shocks are of the 530-series. The configuration of these shocks differs substantially from the originals, although they are "generally" of the same configuration. I have a suspicion that these shocks are not manufactured by the Delco Chassis Products Division, now part of DELPHI, but are manufactured by another shock manufacturing company, possibly Gabriel or Monroe. If they are manufactured by Delco, then they've gone to completely different tooling than they used for years for shock manufacture.

So, if you can't get original configuration anyway, then one might want to go to a premium, non-original configuration shock that offers performance advantages. The Spax shocks mentioned by Duke or Bilstein shocks are 2 possibilities.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2: Shocks and Bushings

Duke,

Which Spax shocks? I don't find their website the easiest to maneuver through.

Patrick

[Duke W.]

Re: C2: Shocks and Bushings

From the home page follow the classic car link or wait for the entire page to load and follow the springs and dampers link. You will end up downloading the catalog in PDF formant. C2/3 part numbers are G021, front and G022 rear.

Similarly, you can follow the links to find US dealers.

Duke