Shock Absorber options

[okc63avanti]

The other day talking to a Stude vendor, he thought the only front and rear shocks available for the Avanti are the Gabriels. I would rather run Koni or Bilsein shocks. Does anyone know part nos. or where they can be ordered from if they are still available. I do not want to make modifications to frame or suspension. My car is being retored with original suspension.

Thanks,

John

[SBCA96]

If you dont want to modify anything, then you are stuck with the Gabriels.

If you want Bilsteins, you CAN use 1970-81 Camaro front and rear shocks, it

just requires larger washers in the front a-arm mount, and replacing the

"I" bar upper mount with the sleeve from your old shocks. Though bear in

mind that you will void the Bilstein lifetime warranty by doing so. What I

plan to do is mod the shock brace with a GM style receptacle mount so that

I can run the shock unmodified. I am also going to use 1994-96 Impala SS

shocks (front is the same part number) in the rear so that I can use the

lower shock mount I used from my Hawk (eye bolt style). The Impala SS has

a stud at the bottom to mount horizontal, rather than a vertical shaft as

the stock Avanti has. The Impala upper mount is the same "T" bar style as

the 2nd Gen Camaro, that I will use unmodified. This will give me ultimate

shocks for my Avanti, because anyone that has run Bilstein knows that there

are NONE better.

Tom

[Gunslinger]

I have Edelbrock IAS shocks on mine...modified from Camaro/Firebird shocks. They work just fine. While I'm not aware of any direct crossover from another make for the rear, the front will directly interchange with shocks for a '63-"65 Buick Riviera...same part number, but those won't likely be in stock at most places but can be ordered.

A potential problem you might run into is there seems to be some variation in shocks...some will have the attaching cross bar too short and you have to re-use the present ones in your old shocks...just use the new bushings with them.

Many of the Stude/Avanti vendors sell gas shocks for an Avanti at reasonable prices.