What OEM ride does YOUR First Gen compare to??? Help pik mine

[hotrodneb]

The car---68 Firebird with Hotchkis lowering springs Front/Rear, 100 miles on it so far.
The Driver----an old guy with a young heart that likes to live in the past
The Problem---Shocks.

I've talked to Ride-Tech...they were great.

First set of shocks--QA1 "EC series"...car rode like a 10ton truck. Took them back to Speedway (I can drive there)
Second set of shocks---Monroe Sens-a Track Not too bad. Decent ride until suspension hits sharp bump then too hard, doesn't allow enough rebound. Rebound otherwise I would say is comfortable.

What I am going for I will equate to other car make/model I've driven---
Drive a '02 Cadillac Eldorado, NOT going for that. Had a '02 Mcerdes CLK, Nice ride, I could feel the road without experiencing it. I DONT like how a BMW rides too much too rough. Put 240000+ miles on an '02 Camaro SS....not too bad either

Looking for shocks that will make my 'Bird ride somewhere around the Mercedes. Maybe between the MB and the Camaro if I have to.

[MonzaRacer]

I used Monroe Reflex on front of my Monza.
your issue with Sensa Tracs was lowered ride height and not valved to match Hotchkis springs.
my buddy dumped Hotchkis springs on both of his f bodys.
Wife wanted hers running soo he bit bullet,Strong Arm lower arms and double adjustables from Ridetech.
She no DD the F body, sold her MB 550amg, and one truck, kept a Tahoe to ferry kids,and it has Ridetech parts fitted on it.
Her car drove so well, he ordered all parts for his car, and even sold his bmw550.
He is sold, i love his 68 as its one we installed Silverado ABS on.
For a couple who coveted fancy, expensive, european cars thay now drive American, nearly 50 yr ild American.
Honestly, i have yet to like many/any lowering/handling springs. but springs have to be understood and matched to shocks.
basic premise, try Ridetech, they just work so well.

[rickpaw]

+ one for Ridetech shocks. Had KYB's on my 67 Firebird, rode terribly. I have Ridetech single adjustable on the car now and it's much better in terms of ride quality.

[hotrodneb]

Rickpaw....more info please. Suspension specs...Please describe old and current ride feel please

[CarlC]

Since you have the Hotchkis springs, have you considered using their shocks? They should be a good match to the springs and help the ride considerably.

My Camaro has the Hotchkis springs, arms, etc. and their shocks. The shocks made a tremendous difference in the way the car rides. Though the Camaro is much more "in touch" with everything (wind noise, NVH, steering feel, etc.), the best description of the overall ride is that of a C5 Z06. My co-driver and I both agree that the Camaro rides better than his stock C5 Z06.

[Nicks67GTO]

Ive ran the Monroe sensatrac, Bilstiens and Ridetech HQ's on my GTO

Sensatracs are siting a shelf with 100 miles on them. They were horrible.

Bilstiens were a big improvement over the Monroes in every aspect

Ridetech HQ's are better than either by leaps and bounds. My GTO rides great. Its a 48 year old so I have no delusions of a real caddy ride but in comparison to the other stuff im impressed.

[hotrodneb]

So the answer is......

--They get $4-600 for the shocks, because they're worth it???

QA1-- $250 Monroe--$100 (improvement)

[CarlC]

The shocks are the brains of the suspension system. If they do not match the rest of the suspension setup, who cares how cheap it is?

However, we're still talking a 50-year old chassis design, leaf springs, etc. Getting it "all" is a tough nut.