Preferred street shocks

[Challenger in NC]

Aside from the typical QA-1, Viking, Hotchkis, Bilstein recommendations, what would be a great shock (non-adjustable) for avg. street use? I am having a hard time trying to justify $750 for a set of adjustable valving shocks. I will have a basically stock suspension except with poly bushings and sub-frame connectors. I will not be dragging or auto-crossing. I'm thinking of using a cheaper set to start with and maybe upgrading later. I almost purchased the single adjustable QA-1 shocks ($750 with tax at Summit) but I chickened out. 

Linkback: https://forum.e-bodies.org/wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-and-steering/12/preferred-street-shocks/27379/

[blown motor]

I had KYB Gas-A-Just on my Challenger when I bought it. I switched to Bilstein because of people saying the ride was better. Honestly I saw little if any difference. Certainly nothing to just of the cost of the switch. My KYBs are for sale cheap but I think the cost of shipping to NC would sink the deal.

[Challenger in NC]

I had KYB Gas-A-Just on my Challenger when I bought it. I switched to Bilstein because of people saying the ride was better. Honestly I saw little if any difference. Certainly nothing to just of the cost of the switch. My KYBs are for sale cheap but I think the cost of shipping to NC would sink the deal.

I looked those up and I can get a set of those shipped to me for $151, exactly 1/5 the price of the QA-1. However, I know nothing about the reliability and performance difference between the two. The QA-1 set is probably better, just dont know if its 5X the value, probably not for the avg. street cruiser. 

[7212Mopar]

If you changed your stock torsion bars to bigger diameter bars then the adjustable shocks will be needed to control the suspension. Otherwise regular replacement shocks will do for regular cruising. I ran Monroe replacement shocks back in the early 80s, cheap and work just fine. The Bilstein are higher quality shocks and many people on this forum have them, cheaper than the adjustable.

[Challenger in NC]

If you changed your stock torsion bars to bigger diameter bars then the adjustable shocks will be needed to control the suspension. Otherwise regular replacement shocks will do for regular cruising. I ran Monroe replacement shocks back in the early 80s, cheap and work just fine. The Bilstein are higher quality shocks and many people on this forum have them, cheaper than the adjustable.

I did increase the torsion bar from 0.92" (stock 383) to around 1". I tried to look up compatible Bilstein shocks but no part listing is given, maybe a custom size is required?

[dodj]

I changed my torsion bars to 1.03" as well. Changed from Edelbrock IAS shocks to the $750 QA1 shocks. The difference was a real eye opener. I think they are fully worth the $750 for my street cruiser.
I've heard Bilstein RCD's are pretty good but never tried.

[Skdmark]

Single adjustable QA1 on my 71 Barracuda street cruiser.
Very satisfied with them and would buy again.

[70vert]

I upgraded to 1.06 torsion bars (440) and went with the Bilstein RCD shocks (not adjustable). A huge improvement over stock and very happy with the ride. Just a street car driven at least weekly.
Not sure how much I paid, plus that was a few years ago but I highly recommend them.

[cudaragtop]

Bilsteins - Best bang for the buck suspension upgrade on the 'Cuda since I've owned it.
Huge improvement over any of the previous shocks I have had on this or other E-Bodies I have owned.
Have a brand new set of 4 Bilsteins waiting to go on our G3 Hemi A-Body project car too.

[torredcuda]

I went from stock to 1.03" torsion bars and KYBs to Bilsteins and the not only handles but actually rides much better.

[Mrbill426]

I've installed KYB Gas-adjust on our 'Cuda, but have not had it on the road yet; hopefully by Summer.  I've been saying that for years at this point though.

[Challenger in NC]

I've installed KYB Gas-adjust on our 'Cuda, but have not had it on the road yet; hopefully by Summer.  I've been saying that for years at this point though.

I know the feeling

[Challenger in NC]

Is $500 for a set of Billsteins sound about right? Ive checked a couple places and shipping is another $62. Also, did they have to be sized on a case by case or is their a std OEM part? Firm Feel calls them RCD but those dont show up much in searches.

[cudaragtop]

70 rears are a different length than 71-74 because of the different rear shock plates used for 70 only E-Bodies.
Always exceptions out there... model year changeover, T/A, AAR, etc....

$500 sounds like a good price to me. I paid $400 for 4 in 2013

[Challenger in NC]

Thanks All.