<VV> Corvair Parts/HD Shock Absorbers

[Bill Elliott]

I like a firm ride and sharp handling. Even in cars where I want a softer ride, I _still_ want heavy damping. 
I have found that a Corvair really needs agressive damping, even with stock (non- HD) springs.  Corvairs 
aare VERY softly sprung compared to most European and/or modern cars but stiffer than most 
American cars from the era; you can't expect a Cadiilac ride from one... but it's cushy comapred to a live 
axle Mustang or Camaro.  I can't stand to drive a Corvair with cheap shocks on it.

There are only a handful of shocks I would put on my Corvairs:

Bilsteins: Best Corvair shock EVER, but darn near impossible to foind. Have not been made in years 
and years, but old ones can be rebuilt by the factory. Nice firm handling with smooth ride.

Carrera: Designed by a Corvair racer for optimal handling, these shocks offer the absolute best shock 
performance due to the damping on both compression and extension. However, they transmit a great 
deal of vibration into the car and give the harshest ride.  I use these in both my track car and street car, 
both with cut HD springs. The handling is superb, but the ride is harsh. 

Koni: 2 options here. The Konis made specifically for Corvair applications with special valving (hard to 
find and $$$ as a limited run was made by mistake and Clarks bought them all) and "standard" Konis 
that will work on a Corvair. Both are exceptional, offering nice control but a smooth ride. These are the 
most realistic option available for a quality shock. My wife's 'vert runs stock non-HD springs and the 
special Konis and the ride is as good as any Corvair I've been in while the handling is nicely controlled. 
I'm moving to a set of these for my street car.

Gabriel Adjustables from Clarks: These represent the cheapest option that I find acceptable. The ride is 
as good as the Koni, but the handling not as controlled.

Red Ryders: Cheap, cheap, cheap... I ran these for years. Better than any other cheap shock, but really 
a poor performer when you compare to the above shocks.

The ride itself in a Corvair is in large part due to the tire sidewall stiffness, tire width (wider tires generally 
ride rougher), air pressure, spring choice. (HD springs are going to noticably make the ride rougher.) 
Some shocks (like the Carerras and cheap oil-filled shocks) will transmit more vibration to the body.

Bill Elliott


>-----Original Message-----
>From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org
>[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Bill Chellis
>Sent: 23 May 2005 06:12 AM
>To: Corvair Message Board
>Subject: <VV> Corvair Parts

>Good evening folks:

>I want to start the process of upgrading the 1966 Corsa I just purchased and
>thought a set of HD gas shocks would be a good place to start. Browsing thru
>some of 
>the vendor's offerings and not really seeing what I want. Or only one pair
>is listed.
>Checked the KYB and Bilstein website's and no Corvair application is listed.
>I am going to call my FLAPS tomorrow morning, but I am open to what has
>worked
>for others.

>Thanks.

>Bill Chellis