C2 shocks - old question, new day

[Rob M.]

Hi all,

I have been reading posts in the archives about replacement shocks. It appears that Delco Reactec 560's were the way to go for judging etc. Now that they are no longer available, what shock best resembles original and will still function well for general all-around driving? Part #'s and sources would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

Rob-----

The closest thing that you're going to be able to get in a currently manufactured and available shock absorber are GM #88947653, front, and GM # 88945172, rear. These shocks do differ somewhat in configuration from the original configuration. However, they will perform well for street driving and they can be easily and relatively economically obtained.

In the near future, reproduction shocks may be available. They are already available for certain other Chevrolet models of the period and MAY soon be available for Corvettes, too.

[Rob M.]

THANKS JOE!! *NM*

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

Hi Joe:

Do the GM #88947653 and GM # 88945172 shocks that you recommend have any stamped identifying information that indicates they are GM Delco, even after they have been painted gray?

I ask this because my goal would be to qualify for the 25% "service replacement part" deduction when my C2 is judged. On the other hand, I'd prefer to use a gas shock that looks pretty much like the original factory shocks.

At first glance, the overall shape of the KYB GR-2 shocks carried by Ecklers looks about the same as the original GM shocks. However, if the judges are going to look for "Delco" stamped on the shock body, I guess I'd better stick with the GM service replacements.

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

Depends on how agile and persistent the chassis judges you meet are.... It's not all that easy to wiggle/sniggle under the car to get eyeball close to where you should find the exterior stamping ID marks on factory original shocks once they're installed! But, if you encounter a persistent judge who's a thin guy, he CAN get close enough to read and make the call....

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

Joe-----

No, I'm afraid that the "Delco" stamping will not be found on these shocks. They are a Delco replacement part and they do come in Delco boxes. However, the ones that I've looked at only have a "non-GM-like" number stamped on them in the usual location. I believe that these shocks are manufactured for GM/Delco by some manufacturing entity other than the Delco Chassis Division of DELPHI.

DELPHI has had a lot of trouble with the Dayton, OH-based chassis parts division (incidentally, Dayton, OH is the birthplace of Delco as "Delco" is an acronym for Dayton Engineeering Laboratory Company which was an independent company before it was bought out by GM 90 years ago, or so). In any event, I think that DELPHI's Dayton Chassis Division is concentrating more on modern parts these days and GM is finding new manufacturing sources for the older applications (or, just discontinuing the parts altogether). For parts like shocks, there's enough of market for older applications to justify continuing the items even if a new manufacturing source has to be found. Due to the problems at Dayton Chassis, DELPHI may get out of the shock absorber/strut business, altogether. Then, GM would have to source even current-production parts from some other manufacturing source like Monroe or Gabriel.

In this case, I believe that the shocks are manufactured by either Monroe or Gabriel. In fact, I think that they're exactly the same as the Monroe or Gabriel product except for labeling, packaging, and, perhaps, color. I haven't confirmed this but I'll bet that if one examined the offering of either Monroe or Gabriel, one would find the same numbers as are stamped on the Delco shocks. That would confirm the source, too.

[Joe R.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

Okay, so the judges probably don't look for "Delco" to be stamped on a "service replacement" shock. Once the judges have determined that the shocks are not correct originals, I'm curious about how concerned they are whether the shock is the correct GM service replacement, an "incorrect" Delco gas shock, or a non-Delco replacement (in all cases I'm assuming that the shocks have been repainted to the correct color). If the shocks have the general shape and correct color of original shocks, is that sufficient?

I don't know whether the KYB GR-2 gas shocks have identifying stampings that would indicate they are non-GM, but if they do have such markings it could theoretically result in a larger deduction than the GM service replacement parts. A quick review of the Judging Reference Manual says that GM service replacement parts are subject to a deduction of 10% to 90%, depending on how correct the part appears. On the other hand, non-GM replacement parts are subject to a full deduction.

I'd be interested to hear from some people with chassis judging experience. Basically, I'd like to use a gas shock (Delco, KYB, or whatever) if I can, but not if it will cost me more points than the current GM service replacement shock. Among gas shocks, the shape of the KYB GR-2 shocks appears to be more similar to the originals than the current Delco gas shocks.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

Joe,

You're starting to get into various other aspects of judging a part. Things like fit, finish, configuration, etc. In many cases, MORE than 25% of points are taken for current day GM replacement pieces. Oil filters would be an example. The PF-25 is gone, but the current replacment is much shorter and of course the incorrect blue color. So, 50% deduction is not out of the question.

So if the KYB is in configuration closer to the original shock than the current ACDelco piece, by all means go ahead and buy them and paint them gray. If you want to get tricky, stamp the word Delco in the bottom with a Julian date code correct for your car. Don't think I haven't heard of this.

Patrick

[Mark G.]

[David D.]

(Message Deleted by Poster)

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[John H.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

The physical configuration of the KYB's is very close to the originals; however, if you use them and paint/sticker them, use some filler first where they're stamped "Made in Japan" near the bottom

[Patrick H.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

I figured that was obvious, and would come right before you stamped them.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 shocks - Reactek's

Dave-----

The 560-50 and 560-51 were the Delco part numbers for the Reactec shocks for 63-82 Corvettes. When they were available, they did sell for about $100 per set. They've been discontinued for about 2-3 years now. I have no idea what they're worth these days, though.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2 shocks - old question, new day

Mark-----

I've not seen the "4584577" on any Delco Reactec shocks. However, that part number was once used for the front F-40/F-41/FE-7 shocks sold under part number GM #3196957 (on the box). It's possible, I suppose, that GM used it alternately for Delco Reactec shocks sold under other part numbers. Although there were several on-box part numbers used for the Reactecs, all the ones that I've seen were eight digit part numbers. The last available Reactecs had eight digit part numbers on the shocks, themselves.