I will be getting a 98 Z28 either next week or the following week. I would like to purchase some shocks for the car that would be helpful in autocross and open track events.

It seems that I have three basic "brands" to choose from on the shocks:
1) Bilstein (SLP sells an interesting 4-shock package)
2) Koni - single or double-adjustables
3) KYB AGX single adjustables or Ga-A-Justs

In doing research, it seems that the shock manufacturers are not very forthcoming regarding the dampening/rebound rates of their different offerings.

Since prices vary wildly (for fronts anywhere from $85-$337 each), I am trying to let the shock's tuned rates decide what is "best".

Optimally, I'd like to lear the following for each potential shock:
1) Dampening/rebound rate
2) For the adjustable ones, the range of dampening/rebound that you can dial in.

In this way, I could determine if, say, the KYB AGX's are in the "ballpark" of, say, the Koni's.

Has anyone else tried to do this? If so, how did you get this information?

 

The KYB AGXs shouldn't even be on your list. I had them on my car for awhile, and there was very little difference between "1" and "8". When I upgraded my shocks, I gave them to a friend of mine who replaced the original shocks on his 93 Formula, and he thinks they are worse than the worn out stockers (not enough dampening on the "hit").

 

The SLPs are made for Bilstein for a set of SLP 'lowering' springs, not valved for stock springs. Look for Bilstein HDs for stock springs, most people also say the SLPs feel softer.

 

Don't forget HAL shocks. Yes, I said HAL shocks. HAL's are not just drag racing shocks. I've been using them for road racing for about 2 years now. Before that I had Koni single adjustable shocks, which I had for 3 or 4 years. I personally don't consider Koni's to be adjustable because adjusting them is such a pain in the a$$!!!
I had them set all the way stiff the whole time I had them. They were great on the track, terrible on the streets. Anyway, the HAL shocks set all the way stiff are just as stiff as Koni's. Plus, now I can adjust the shocks as I want in seconds. HAL's have a life time warranty, and they can be valved stiffer, if desired.

I put KYB shocks on my wife's 98 Toyota Avalon. They work great on that car. Much better than the stock shocks.

Kurt

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LT4 HOT cam, GM heavy duty timing chain, Crane chromemoly pushrods, Comp Cams "R" lifters, K&N FIPK, BBK 58mm TB, ported intake manifold, ported & polished heads w/ 2.00/1.56 valves, 30# SVO injectors, MSD wires, BeCool radiator, CSI elec. pump, March PP kit, Crane 1.6:1 RR's, Crane ignition, AS&M 1-3/4" headers, SLP cat-back, high flow cat, Hurst shifter, Centerforce DF clutch, SLP flywheel, 3" alum. drive shaft, Strange 12 bolt with 3.73's, HAL shocks, Eibach/SLP springs, Granatelli STB & upper panhard rod, ST sway bars, SLP subframe connectors, Steve Spohn racing torque arm, RLCA's & lower panhard rod, Wolfe Race Craft roll cage, 13" Baer brakes, SLP 17" SS wheels, Auto Meter gauges, LT1-Editor and more... Dyno tested: 370 RWHP w/ 358 Torque http://www.geocities.com/crash607/kurt1.html

 

Who sells HAL shocks? I've heard the name but haven't come across them in my recent research?

My original question still stands - do any shock manufacturers actually disclose the dampening/rebound rates or is this relegated to the same place that the Coke recipe resides?

 

"How to obtain REAL information on shocks? "

Call Sam Strano.

No commercial connection, just a satisfied customer.

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2000 Firebird convert, chameleon/tan, M5, Y87, TCS
KBDDs, BMR STB and Panhard, 245/50-16 GSCs

 

If you have your Bilsteins revalved by them they will provide you with a before/after dyno of the shocks. You can't do much better than that....

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96 Z28 M6
13.59 @ 102.96
MODS

 

That's what I replaced my AGX shocks with -- and I agree, they're an excellent shock and work very well for my dual purpose car (drag race and course). I usually don't come out and say I run them in this forum since popular opinion is that they're strictly a drag shock. They're handling a set of 600# linear front springs and 175# linear rear springs just fine.

BTW, you spell your name wrong

KeithO -- HAL was bought out by QA1 awhile ago. You might try doing a search for QA1. Summit sells them, but I bought mine from BMR.

 

Find someone in the racing world with access to a shock dyno.

Take your shock to this person, and get them dynoed. The problem is that you may not yet own the shocks you want dynoed. The other problem is knowing what you are loooking for on the graph.

Regards
Derek

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Bright Red 97RS
Mods:
1LE AL Driveshaft
1/4 time: who knows
derekcole.cz28.com
camaroz28.cardomain.com/id/novascotiars