Shocks for LM convertible

[wheels4fun]

I received one reply to this inquiry on Corvair Center Forum. Reposting here to see if others have opinions. Thanks in advance!

I have a '66 Corsa 140 convertible. 12 years ago I installed HD springs and Gabriel Strider adjustable shocks from Clarks on all corners (all set to very firm setting). The various suspension bushings are rubber (not nylon). One of the front shocks is bad so it's time to replace the front two, or perhaps all 4. The car is primarily street driven, plus one autocross event per year. I like a firm and sporty ride, but not so stiff that it loosens the fillings in my teeth. :)

If money was no object I'd probably install 4 adjustable Koni's from Clarks. And I may still do that if I'm convinced they're significantly better than Clark's other options.

I'm interested in (preferrable first-hand) opinions about Clark's current "regular" and "gas charged" shocks. Are you happy with them? How do they compare with each other (e.g.how much stiffer ride with the gas charged)? How do they compare with the Koni's or Striders? I've read some opinions that a stiffer shock in back and softer in front provides the best ride - so use new gas charged in back and regular in front?

All opinions welcomed! Thanks!!

Kent

[jimbrandberg]

What I said over there is I would put gas shocks on a Corsa convertible and I would be okay with just changing the front two.
I've got a box full of used shocks that are fairly new so I tend to pick something out of there for my own use.
When it comes to other people's cars I just get a test drive or two and then the car goes away so I don't get a long term opinion.

So I'm anxious to read what other people have done and how it worked out for them.

The only time I can remember shock dissatisfaction it was EM rear with gas shocks from EBAY. They fit okay but the compression and rebound valving was not up to the task. They worked okay on the front.

[66vairguy]

Folks have a wide range of what they like in a ride. So asking what shocks they like is tricky.

I gave up on "gas charged" shocks. I finally learned there are two types. One is low pressure with a gas oil barrier so the oil does not foam under hard use (making the shock useless). The other (more common) is high pressure to promote faster wheel rebound and resist bottoming out. Each has a very different ride dynamic and getting a clear answer about how the shock is built is sometimes difficult.

I have the old Clark's Gabriel adjustable shocks on my two 66 cars. They are obsolete now. On my 4 door I use firm on front, extra firm on rear. Good ride and very stable, BUT a bit harsh on rough roads. The convertible, being a flexy body, I use regular on front and firm on rear. Rides great and a bit more bounce over a speed bump than I prefer, but a better ride on rough roads and I'm not going to the track in a convertible, it is a cruiser.

There are the Koni shocks. I have never put them on a Corvair, but I have used them on other cars and for me they have a great balance between damping, yet are not harsh on small bumps.

I have no experience with the new shocks Clark's is selling. Hopefully others have.

[Wittsend]

I have HEARD (but can't confirm) that even though Koni shocks are "rebuildable" that the average person does not have access to the parts. I tried finding them for the Koni's on my Sunbeam Tiger without success. Apparently the automobile shocks have to be factory serviced and the price isn't cheap. Parts availability for motorcycles seems to be a different story and I see parts advertised on line. So, if the rebuildable aspect of the Koni's is an enticing factor in what that rebuild cost.

And if anyone has found a place that sells Koni AUTOMOBILE rebuild parts please let us know. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right places and there are a lot of people out there giving false information.

[chris]

I've also heard a lot of good things about the Koni shocks, especially with the adjustability. Of course the cost is the big thing. As a semi-more affordable option, the Koni 80-1915 will fit on the rear (just needs small spacers I'm told). For the front, a shock from a 60's GM A body is another option. I'm actually thinking of trying out Bilstein using those applications; the main hiccup I have is that for the A body shock to work in our cars, the bar pin has to be removed so the stock Corvair sleeve can be installed.

[erco]

Are there different shocks for verts and coupes?

[Jake]

I've been dragging my feet with this same project because of all the different info.

I've got a 65 corsa convertible, it was a 180 turbo car but now its got a very nice 110
the body is very rigid but I do understand the need for softer shocks in a convertible.
I'm def replacing the springs and shocks but keep hemming and hawing over the choice.
I called clarks and (one of th things i really like about Clarks) the tech they put on the phone told me the standard (read "cheaper") shocks should be just fine with my street driven, cruising convertible.
I still wonder about gas in back, standard shocks in the front...
I'm planning on the standard replacement convertible springs all around.
But....its a great car and I do drive it a lot and want the best ride I can get out of it. Its worth spending the money, but the Konis are super expensive.

[gbullman]

I put Clark’s gas charged on my 66 convertible when I changed the springs. I love how my car rides and handles, I haven’t taken it to a track (yet) but really enjoy spirited driving on the back roads near me.

I can see where ride is very subjective, I do not want the car bottoming out and accept a firmer ride that I think helps prevent that. In general I prefer to feel more of the road so another plus of a firmer ride for me.

I haven’t experimented with different shocks on any car so only have this one data point to form an opinion.

[66vairguy]

Jake --- About new springs --- If your car has the original springs (my 66 convertible did) then I would suggest NOT replacing the front springs. As mentioned here many times, the LM cars tended to be a little "nose high". This is due to the generous trunk load rating, which many of us will never need. I just replaced the rear springs and the car now sits LEVEL.

The front springs tend to maintain there tension and any lost tension just seems to lower the nose enough so it is level with new rear springs. Some end up putting in new front springs, then cut a coil to "lower the nose".

BE AWARE --- The convertibles uses different springs versus the coupe/4 door.

As for shocks, typically convertibles are "cruisers" and most likely the regular Clark's shocks will work fine. Sometimes you just have to take a chance and if you don't like the shocks, try again.

[wheels4fun]

Thanks all, for the helpful input!

I've ordered (2) Clark's gas charged shocks for the front after seeing in their catalog that gas or Koni are recommended for cars with HD springs, which I have. I'm not going to replace the adjustable Stryder shocks in back, since they seem to be in good condition. I'll replace them later if, after installing the new front shocks, I'm not happy with the ride/handling.

Gary B, I'm pleased to hear that you're happy with the gas charged shocks in your '66 convertible. Did you install standard or HD springs?

I'll update this post after installing the new front shocks and getting some run time on them.

[66vairguy]

Thanks all, for the helpful input!

I've ordered (2) Clark's gas charged shocks for the front after seeing in their catalog that gas or Koni are recommended for cars with HD springs, which I have. I'm not going to replace the adjustable Stryder shocks in back, since they seem to be in good condition. I'll replace them later if, after installing the new front shocks, I'm not happy with the ride/handling.

Gary B, I'm pleased to hear that you're happy with the gas charged shocks in your '66 convertible. Did you install standard or HD springs?

I'll update this post after installing the new front shocks and getting some run time on them.

wheels4fun --- Not sure what the roads are like in your area, but do the HD springs in a convertible result in any cowl shake?

[Jake]

Jake --- About new springs --- If your car has the original springs (my 66 convertible did) then I would suggest NOT replacing the front springs. As mentioned here many times, the LM cars tended to be a little "nose high". This is due to the generous trunk load rating, which many of us will never need. I just replaced the rear springs and the car now sits LEVEL.

The front springs tend to maintain there tension and any lost tension just seems to lower the nose enough so it is level with new rear springs. Some end up putting in new front springs, then cut a coil to "lower the nose".

BE AWARE --- The convertibles uses different springs versus the coupe/4 door.

As for shocks, typically convertibles are "cruisers" and most likely the regular Clark's shocks will work fine. Sometimes you just have to take a chance and if you don't like the shocks, try again.

This is just what I have in mind, I really like my cars current stance so I'm planning on the stock convertible springs in the back with Clarks current gas shocks also in the back
I'm leaving the original springs in the front and putting Clarks current "stock" shocks in the front.

My main issue is I live in the city (Boston) and the roads are awful. The car rides alright on the highway (which I don't drive often) but bumpy roads are jarring cruising around.

This plan feels like the right choice but if it doesn't work I'lll try other shocks....theyre not prohibitively expensive (except the Konis)
Also I need to put my cocktail shakers in the rear of the car, hopefully that'll have an effect on the current ride.

I just so happen to be making a parts list on Clarks right now...probably for the 50th time.

[66vairguy]

Jake -- The rear "cocktail shakers" are often missing. Some say they don't make a difference, but others say they reduce body shake on rough roads. They are HEAVY, make sure the upper brace is installed along with the two lower bolts.

I go by "If they were not needed, GM would not have spent the money to put them in." They were also used on the first generation Camaro convertibles in the rear. Not used on EM convertibles, but those cars used a thicker sheet metal.

[gbullman]

Thanks all, for the helpful input!

I've ordered (2) Clark's gas charged shocks for the front after seeing in their catalog that gas or Koni are recommended for cars with HD springs, which I have. I'm not going to replace the adjustable Stryder shocks in back, since they seem to be in good condition. I'll replace them later if, after installing the new front shocks, I'm not happy with the ride/handling.

Gary B, I'm pleased to hear that you're happy with the gas charged shocks in your '66 convertible. Did you install standard or HD springs?

I'll update this post after installing the new front shocks and getting some run time on them.

I installed standard springs, did not want the lowering that comes with the HD springs. Handling wise I stuff it into turns, confident the car has more stick than I have nerve.

[66vairguy]

I installed standard springs, did not want the lowering that comes with the HD springs. Handling wise I stuff it into turns, confident the car has more stick than I have nerve.

Well said -- I agree. I found the biggest handling improvement I made was the TIRES. Best upgrade for the dollar IMHO.

[vairchet]

This is what I'm using:

These are on my '66 Monza

These will one day be installed in my '65 4-door