Got an 86 Elky 305 (w/auto) with about 200K miles on it. Looks to me like the springs are the original ones.

I'm looking to redo the suspension in about 1-2 years - but in the meantime I need some advice on shocks -

For the front - the ones on it are VERY tired and I need a good recommendation for this daily driver. Want something that corners really well but don't want my fillings to fall out driving it. (I have 225/70R/14's on Crager 14's all around).

Also, some very old air shocks are on the back and they leak very slowly (I replaced the hose kit - but I'm still getting leaks). Do I replace these (and if so, put sring helper shocks on or other) - or do I use some type of standard high performance shock and put some some air bags in the springs. Don't necessarily haul any loads - just looking for some much better handling and cornering.

I like Bilsteins. You can run what ever brand you like at all four corners. If you need, you can add airbags to the inside of the springs for the few times you may need them to haul something. You wont need it most of the times.

OK - so which Bilsteins do you recommend - which model - the mono-tube heavy dutly stock replacements?

As far as I know they only have one shock listed for G bodies. Yes its a HD gas shock, stock replacement, mono tube design. Dont have part #'s in front of me at the moment, sorry.

As my 84 Elky front springs were sagging and the car was "mushy" while driving quickly in the twisty's. . . . I did a complete rebuild of both the front and rear ends. . . . On the front end poly bushings, heavier sway bar and new shocks {not racing type} On the rear end a sway bar and bushings. . . The air shocks were still working well then. . . . The ride was stiffer butt not enough to loosen fillings or break the frame. . . I like to surprise passengers 8O on a few turns around here. . . I would like to drop the car some, butt still am considering the problems with decreased clearance. . . Barry-Maryland

I went with monroe magnums up front and monroe coil overs on rear handles well and corners great but still gives good ride and I drive it daily jim

Hi!
I went with Gabriel Pro Guards up front, and Gabriel Air Shocks in the back. Rides nice, but handling is not great, just better than the old worn out shocks. That could be due to the fact that my tires have 1 ply sidewalls. Overall, not bad cheap replacements, but we'll see how long they last.
My dad put KYB shocks on my mom's camry when the shocks went out on it. It rides pretty nice, but handles really good, at least for a FWD car.
Have heard good things about Bilstein, but they are really expensive.

Bilsetins are the best for the $ without having custom shocks made.

KYBs are cheap but overly stiff without the quality valving of the bilstein.

You will need to do something to keep the rear at stock height when you remove the air shocks. Airbags are the best IMO. You can also look at going with wagon rear springs if you don't haul anything and don't want to go with air bags.


The regular parts store ones will last 10K if you are lucky.

I went with Edelbrock IAS shocks when I replaced my suspension. My Elcamino corners great and still has a good ride. Without doing your suspension I don't know if you will get the full advantage of any new shocks.:usa:

I got KYB's on mine. I like them but like elcam84 said they are a bit on the stiff side. Right now the stance is about where i want it with just the shocks. But I do intend to add bags to the springs in case I want to carry a losd at some point.

Just redid the suspension on my 79. Put on stock Gabriel air shocks and MOOG variable rate springs in the back. The car also has a rear sway bar and it corners like a champ. The car has a 1 inch sway bar on the front and I replaced the front shocks with Gabriel gas shocks. The rear spring replacement really turned the trick for me and is easily done. The car has TAs and Old Style American Racing wheels which also helps.

I did measure the rear bumper height on each side and the left side was about 3/4 inch lower than the right so that prompted the spring replacement. The front springs were fine and the suspension doesn't sag.

Fredhttp://www.elcaminocentral.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

I put new shocks up front and coil overs in the rear. Got rid of the air shocks. Rides great.

+1 for Bilsetins

I put Monroe coil overs in the rear, it rides well, only about 80 bucks for a pair.

Well I dont know how much you want to spend but I boughts some Koni Drag shocks for 200 buck from summit which i am very happy with

Bilstein +2

So there is a hose replacement kit for the air shocks? Mine leaks like crazy, but the shocks are all good enough for the moment and I'd rather just replace the hoses so I can carry stuff without it sagging, which is does very badly.

Some years back I replaced the rear air shocks on my '77 with factory parts, and they still hold air (amazing isn't it!) At that time I also had a '76 SS, and put Gabriel air types on the back. They were much too stiff for me if any air was put in them. I sold that car a short time later.

Yeah, you can buy the hose kits separate. Checker Auto Parts, AutoZone, PEP Boys, NAPA etc, should have them. Don't over tighten the connections, it distorts the little O-rings and the plastic lines, hand tighten only, doesn't take much.

Doug