zuno

I am installing a LARS faster steering box, and the HP spec springs (Coil Spring Specialists) and an Addco sway bar. I am not the type that needs to wear string back driving gloves when I get in my car. I just want to bring the handling up to a more modern standard. My car has excellent OE spec shocks and - as designed - it's floaty. I don't recall having these feelings about my '63 when I drove it in the early 80s, but modern cars' capabilities have moved the bar up w/regard to modern highway traffic, and I think the changes will be worth it. So, you can go way of the Monroe OE Spectrum or the Bilsteins, but I wanted members to know the previously recommended KYBs as an "in between" choice is a no go. Hope it helps.

KYB vs. Bilstein shocks have been discussed on this site ad nauseum. "The KYB 4550 lower mount ears are too short... The KYBs are too soft... The Bilsteins are too expensive..." I was torn between using the oft-cited KYB KG4550 or Bilsteins. My previous experience with KYBs in their recommended applications has been excellent, although my current SUVs have Bilsteins and previous cars I've shod with Bilsteins have been excellent. In order to determine what was causing the dissatisfaction amongst some members using the 4550 "too soft... terrible..." I contacted KYB technical support. The engineer looked up the "mid-stroke damping rate" and it is "130/60 meters per second". He explained that the 4550 shock is damped to work with a car ~ 3400# - he used a 1967 GTO as an example. Now we know a '63-'65 Riviera with A/C is going to weigh ~ 4200# so I mentioned that to the engineer. He replied "the 4550 is not designed to carry that load, it will be under-damped." He then went on to explain that he joined the company 20 years ago, is very proud of their products and that they put a lot of time into designing the line (we were talking about their Gas-a-Just shocks). He also acknowledged that Bilstein makes a great product and there are things you can do with a product that cost 2 - 3x the price of their products as an acknowledgment of the Bilstein's quality. However, we should realize that we are using - per KYB's own technical staff - an under spec'd part when we use the KG4550 in our Rivs. I'll be buying the Bilsteins and I now understand why I have never had a bad experience with KYBs I've used in the past: I've always used a KYB-vehicle-specific part !

I have a set of new "dual spring" performance valve springs (16 sets of 2 springs each) which I purchased years ago from "Eastern Buick Performance" of Norristown, PA. I also have 32 sets of valve keepers. I don't recall why I ordered 2 sets of keepers, but that's what I have. I can't recall the specs on these, but they were pretty special, and said to control valve float which I was told was a key limiter on the rev limits of the Nailhead. Should fit 401 or 425. $100 via PayPal OBO. Gene 203/249-1430