Shocks: Best shocks for extra firm ride on Avanti

[SILENTBOB]

Of all the shock brands, which would be the best brand to firm up the ride for a 64 Avanti? Part numbers would be a big help.

I would really like to find a set of Koni but I know that won't happen.

Current shocks are old style and not gas charged.

Thanks for the help

[Flashback]

I thought Bob Johnstons Tech's had some numbers that would interchange from Chev.?

[Gunslinger]

I have Edelbrock IAS shocks on my '70 Avanti...and they are quite firm. I don't know the part numbers...they're from a Camaro/Firebird...again, not sure what years. There needs to be some changes done to the cross pins on the fronts. I bought mine from http://www.avantiparts.biz about five or six years ago. They were already modified to fit.

The Edelbrock shocks are excellent.

[sweetolbob]

We haven't had Nate for a while but he left us a wealth of info. http://www.georgiastudebaker.com/Interchange.pdf

You will find a wealth of shock applications listed in it.

Bob

[studebaker-R2-4-me]

You can convert a set of Camaro KONI's for Studebaker by pressing out the mounting tab and reinstalling the Studebaker mounting tab. Just a thought.

http://www.studebaker-info.org/shocks.html

[1962larksedan]

1955-57, 1965-96 big Chevy and platform mates and ca. 1963-02 big Ford and friends should work. They all have the (once) very common crossbar bottom and bayonet top mount.

[64V-K7]

If you can put a set of Koni's on your car, you'll never look back...

[bezhawk]

If you can put a set of Koni's on your car, you'll never look back...

It makes your rear view mirrors fall off???. Seriously,you don't want the firmest shocks, but rather one that control wheel oscillations without transmitting to the body. Too firm of a shock will just help stress the frame and areas on the fiberglass prone to cracking. The best handling shock is rarely the firmest. If you want good handling, use the lightest wheel and tire combination, soft springs, firm anti roll (sway) bars, and a shock that controls wheel jounce and rebound without letting the wheels bounce. Every shock will react differently with the wheel and tire combination you run. They are a generic part tuned to averages.
To get a good shock you need one that is adjustable to the inertia of the weight of your wheel/tire combo. Adjustable is the way to tune to optimum dampening.

[Gunslinger]

I found out on the '63 Avanti I owned years ago to not only carry four pounds less air pressure in the rear tires due to the car's forward weight bias, to also set the front shocks on firm and the rear shocks softer for the same reason. Handling was noticeably improved.

[SILENTBOB]

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Xcalibur]

Yes, any '70s Camaro (front AND rears) with some simple mods. I made small adapters for the front shocks bottom, short barpin that they fit into to lengthen them. As for the rears (unless you have a very early Avanti) just cut off the "squeezed" ends of the top pin and round out the hole. Use washers or steel spacers to fit appropriately into the cross-member and you now have any brand/performance level shocks you desire.

[63 R2 Hawk]

I have KYB "Gas-a-Just" from the '70s Camero era. I fabbed some cages for the lower front mounts and R&R'd the rear upper pins for Hawk types so I don't have to change anything if I want to go back to cheesy OEM style shocks. I like the ride, they will firm up when needed but otherwise very smooth. An added benefit, with the Stude specific repro shocks, my rear brake hose would stretch tight when I hoisted it on my 2-post lift. The Camero shocks limit the travel just enough to prevent brake hose damage and I have driven the car pretty hard on bouncy roads and never hit limits.

[sals54]

Ditto on the 70s Camaro shocks. Been using them for decades. No trouble for me either.

[SILENTBOB]

Given the advice that 70's Camaro shocks will work, what do you folks think of KYB 4550 for the front and KYB 5526 for the rear (with the required top mount modification)?

[sweetolbob]

I believe they are the ones I used on the 83. If so, you will find the front bottom attachment is to narrow to completely span the Avanti bottom mount. I welded heavy washers to mine to extend the mount.

Ride wise --- Very happy with mine.

Bob