Rear and Front Shocks for Sport Suspension?

[Thom71GT]

Anyone have a good suggestion for some nice but moderately priced shocks for the GT AFTER it has had the sport suspension put on it, front AND rear??

[jlthunder]

I got some gas charged KYB shocks from Pep Boys a few years ago. They were inexpensive and bolted right in. My suspension is stock with poly bushings.

[Dallas]

I got a set from OGTS (KYB LOW PRESSURE GAS FRONT SHOCK) $28 each. I put on the 2" lowering spring. Before the shocks it hit the tires. I raised it about a 1/2 inch and added the new shocks. It is great now.

[Thom71GT]

Hey Dallas,

What do you mean you had to rais it a half inch? Howd you do that?

[Dallas]

I have a shop with a lift and plenty of tools and time. So I tried a few different things. I ordered new perches and bolts from OGTS because mine were damaged. I took the rubber out of the old perches and attatched them to the new perches with glue and some small flat head phillip screws. That along with sliding the perches (which have two sets of holes) in twords the middle of the car made it set perfect. The only other options would have been too high or too low.

[Thom71GT]

Great!! :o That means Ill have the same kind of problem. Joy!!

[Dallas]

Remember I have 16" wheels on front.

[Thom71GT]

I Know, Im getting 16" all around

16 x 8 front 12mm offsett and 16 x 9.5 rear I havent decided on the offset. SOmewhere between 0 and +3mm

[soybean]

Thom, the front is not much of a problem see this thread http://www.opelgt.com/forums/showthr...ghlight=shocks, just remember what Jordan said about the spring unloading.
Here's another thread about the same thing. http://www.opelgt.com/forums/group-3-suspension-steering/4662-replacing-front-rear-shocks.html

Here's another where some of the rear problems are discussed. I had the same problems.
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/group-3-suspension-steering/4326-kyb-mount-problem.html.

When I do it over again on my red one, I'm going to go with adjustable shocks. The Kybs are good, but you feel every bump in the road. With the wide tires on the car it handles like a dream and holds the road. but the ride is a little rough. HTH, Jarrell

[Thom71GT]

Speaking of Spring. Dallas, just a reminder to bring your compressor to the Orphan car show next weekend!! Thanks!!!

Good info on the rear end. I have all the new springs and spring bushings and mounts etc.. I just dont have new shocks. Theya re the ones that I put on there I think maybe 20 years ago. They really only have about 8,000 miles on them, but since I am lowering the car and technology has improved, I figure I need new ones.

Thanks!!!

[doug]

Did you have to use any spacers or anything to keep from rubbing,and what tires did you use?

[bosco]

This is probably heresy....but I put on what I believe were Gabriel gas shocks from Autozone........they cost me about $14 apiece and I was shocked and surprised (in a good way) at how they perform. I have about 10,000 miles on them now and the car has a great ride.....not at all soft but not rock hard either. I also have a 2 inch lowering spring but am still using the 13 inch rims with 185/70/13 tires which gives me lots of room still.

If youre interested the part numbers are 82039 (rear) and 82053 (front).

[Lindsay]

I installed KYB gas shocks on my previous GT and felt every bump on the freeway and surface streets with 185/ 70 -13 tires.

Current 1971 GT has same tire size, and probably Monroe or some std. cheap shocks. Like the ride, so not sure what shocks I would install. Probably would retrofit my sway bars from other GT prior to a shock change.

[cees]

There is only one good brand of shocks for a GT and that is Koni. I have tried different brands and I was never happy. Since I have Koni's, the car drives like a dream. Most shocks made the car too hard, especially with 205 size tires under it. Konis cost a bit more, but they pay themselves back in sheer driving pleasure.

[GTJIM]

Fortunately the KBY Gas Adjusts will fit my Isuzu Piazza - now I will have to go out any buy some Konis!

[cees]

Hi Jim, nice to hear from you! As you know I was not very happy with the ride of my car, especially with the wider tyres. Since fitting the Konis that has all changed and now I love driving the car. It is a different beast. I should have bought them 4 years ago when I restored the car. I spoke to some guys in Holland and they have the same experience after having tried Monroe, Gabriel, etc. Possibly Billstein would give the same result, but they are a price bracket up again. How is your car going anyway?

[GTJIM]

Tom, Here is a pic of Cees' GT - Stock with 185 X 13 tyres; Weber carb and replacement sports steering wheel - plus Koni shocks and soon to have sway bars too.

[Thom71GT]

Originally Posted by cees There is only one good brand of shocks for a GT and that is Koni. I have tried different brands and I was never happy. Since I have Koni's, the car drives like a dream. Most shocks made the car too hard, especially with 205 size tires under it. Konis cost a bit more, but they pay themselves back in sheer driving pleasure.

Cees, is your GT lowered in the rear? What specific Model or part number of Koni's did you buy?

[Manta72]

Koni's are simply the correct ones to fit in the Opel. A little pricey but very well worth it.