performance for the life
of the shock. Better yet, a Corvette owner looking to do some weekend autocrossing
can dial in stiffer valving for the event, then restore stock settings afterward,
eliminating the need to buy a second set of shocks.
The C4's single-adjustable FX3 Bilsteins with touring, normal
and sport settings had a noticeable effect on ride and handling. This was
accomplished, according to John Dullam, Bilstein's OE/Aftermarket Ride Development
technical wizard, despite the conservative range of adjustment dictated by
Corvette development engineers--15 percent from full soft to full hard.
For the serious owner who increases spring rates, alters roll
stiffness or otherwise tinkers with stock parameters, adjustable shocks can
greatly ease the task of tuning the suspension. A single-adjustable Koni can
be set to deliver up to a 100 percent range of adjustment from full soft to
full hard. That’s enough to cope with major changes in tire construction,
size and profile, not to mention spring rates, anti-roll bar stiffness and
bushing durometer. While Bilstein offers no adjustable street shocks for Corvettes
at present, this gap in the product line hasn't escaped their notice; we won't
be, uh, shocked if an adjustable Bilstein were to appear in the near future.
Bilsteins and Konis aren't cheap; a single shock can easily cost
more than two complete sets of lesser models. But if all of these competing
shocks offer lifetime warranties, why not buy the lower-cost unit? The answer
depends on how often you'll feel like removing them from your Vette, schlepping
them back to the retailer for replacements, then installing the new set, knowing
the process will occur periodically
