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LS4 Shocks

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  • Todd L.
    Expired
    • August 26, 2008
    • 298

    LS4 Shocks

    In the Paragon catalog they sell Delco replacement shocks which may or may not receive full judging points.
    But they only offer one shock. I thought an LS4 car had different shocks than the L-48 and the L-82.
    If there is no difference then are the Delco shocks at Ecklers ok for the car and how will they judge? If I need a different shock, what should I look for and any suggestions as to where to get them. I do need all four shocks.

    Thanks

    Todd
  • Tom R.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • June 30, 1993
    • 4081

    #2
    Re: LS4 Shocks

    Originally posted by Todd Lloyd (49373)
    In the Paragon catalog they sell Delco replacement shocks which may or may not receive full judging points.
    But they only offer one shock. I thought an LS4 car had different shocks than the L-48 and the L-82.
    LS4s would have been delivered with a base suspension unless RPO Z07 off road was specified. RPO LS4 qualifies a buyer to order the Z07 heavy-duty suspension. Unless your LS4 has Z07...you're looking for a base shock.

    If there is no difference then are the Delco shocks at Ecklers ok for the car and how will they judge?
    I'm not familiar with the Ecklers shock but Chassis judging does not look for date code but will look for a typical configuration and finish. In 1973, shocks would expect to be a Delco shock and gray. The paper tag included the broadcast code (JX-front; JY-rear) but is not always present or visible. Check the manual for the typical associated hardware.

    You may have to order them and than compare to the judging manual unless someone less if familar with the shock Eckler's sells.
    Tom Russo

    78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie
    78 Pace Car L82 M21
    00 MY/TR/Conv

    Comment

    • Duke W.
      Beyond Control Poster
      • January 1, 1993
      • 15610

      #3
      Re: LS4 Shocks

      Most replacement shocks are "one size fits all" - very generic rather than specifically calibrated like OE shocks, and you can probably buy those generic "Delco" shocks cheaper from other sources.

      Remember, Delco/GM does not manufacture replacement parts for older cars anymore - not for about 20 years in most cases. Delco is just a marketing organization, and those shocks are likely just a Delco badged clone of some shock manufactured by who knows ...

      Duke

      Comment

      • Todd L.
        Expired
        • August 26, 2008
        • 298

        #4
        Re: LS4 Shocks

        So, I am unsure what I have going on underneath the car. I have an 8 spring rear leaf, yes I said 8. It looks like it was a 9 leaf and someone removed one of the leafs. It does have the rear sway bar, and the 15/16 front sway bar. I do not have a tank sticker, I am thinking it is supposed to have the FE7 package. Could FE7 be ordered without the Z07 package, or is the FE7 just a part of the Z07 package on an LS4?
        My front coil springs have no stickers to try and figure it out that way, and the shocks I removed were konig shocks.

        Comment

        • Tom R.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • June 30, 1993
          • 4081

          #5
          Re: LS4 Shocks

          Originally posted by Todd Lloyd (49373)
          I have an 8 spring rear leaf, yes I said 8. It looks like it was a 9 leaf and someone removed one of the leafs. It does have the rear sway bar, and the 15/16 front sway bar. I do not have a tank sticker, I am thinking it is supposed to have the FE7 package. Could FE7 be ordered without the Z07 package, or is the FE7 just a part of the Z07 package on an LS4?
          Todd

          C3 big blocks were equipped with the 9-leaf spring GM# 3850839. FE7/Z07 had a spring count of 7 leafs. Big block Corvettes included the rear stablilizer bar as base equipment. Your rear sway should be a 9/16" bar. The 15/16" front bar is the heavy duty bar called out for F41 and Z07. In 1974, FE7 would have called out the 15/16" front bar and that was a 1974 year only. After that FE7 got the 1 1/8" bar.

          Yes! My understanding is that FE7 could be ordered without Z07. Other than shocks the difference is that Z07 included the J50 brakes. Look and see if your calipers have a double pin. Some of those with J50 can better describe what to look for. Even front springs called out the same GM# in 1974 with a broadcast code of AA on the tag.
          Tom Russo

          78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie
          78 Pace Car L82 M21
          00 MY/TR/Conv

          Comment

          • Russ S.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • April 30, 1982
            • 2161

            #6
            Re: LS4 Shocks

            Todd, Have you looked on top of the driver side dash gauges for a build sheet? My 73 had one there as well as on the tank.

            Comment

            • Todd L.
              Expired
              • August 26, 2008
              • 298

              #7
              Re: LS4 Shocks

              Guys thanks for the information. It keeps me looking and learning.
              Russ, I received orders back to CO. I will be there the beginning of Dec. I am trying to get the chassis together just so I can put the body on the frame to transport the car back.
              I do have it completely tore apart now, and still no build sheet.

              Tom, are you saying I could have had the stock suspension, but that BB's always came with the rear sway bar?

              Comment

              • Dick W.
                Former NCRS Director Region IV
                • June 30, 1985
                • 10483

                #8
                Re: LS4 Shocks

                Originally posted by Todd Lloyd (49373)
                Guys thanks for the information. It keeps me looking and learning.
                Russ, I received orders back to CO. I will be there the beginning of Dec. I am trying to get the chassis together just so I can put the body on the frame to transport the car back.
                I do have it completely tore apart now, and still no build sheet.

                Tom, are you saying I could have had the stock suspension, but that BB's always came with the rear sway bar?
                Rear sway bar was included with the engine package. I suspect that you have the replacement, over the counter, HD spring, it had eight leafs.
                Dick Whittington

                Comment

                • Tom R.
                  Extremely Frequent Poster
                  • June 30, 1993
                  • 4081

                  #9
                  Re: LS4 Shocks

                  Originally posted by Todd Lloyd (49373)
                  Tom, are you saying I could have had the stock suspension, but that BB's always came with the rear sway bar?
                  Yes! Rear sway bar was part of a base suspension when a big block was ordered
                  Tom Russo

                  78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie
                  78 Pace Car L82 M21
                  00 MY/TR/Conv

                  Comment

                  • Todd L.
                    Expired
                    • August 26, 2008
                    • 298

                    #10
                    Re: LS4 Shocks

                    Thanks Dick, I will be replacing that spring with a 7 leaf from Americas finest corvettes.

                    Comment

                    • Todd L.
                      Expired
                      • August 26, 2008
                      • 298

                      #11
                      Re: LS4 Shocks

                      Thank you for this information Tom. I now know more about my car.

                      Todd

                      Comment

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