FYI, just finished my SLP Bilstein install today in my driveway, and it made my 3.8L feel like a new car! The rear shocks are much beefier than the stock Delphi/DeCarbons (which had about 65k mi. on them), and the rear feels a little higher, power seems to get to the wheels better, and handling is MUCH improved and sprightly. The front is improved as well, but hard for me to judge, since I had a broken shock mount before -- so it was really bad. It is now a lot more fun to drive.

Anyone who is still running on stock shocks, esp. on a V6 is really missing out, and these are pretty inexpensive at WS6Store.com

 

I'm running QA1s on all 4 corners and I love em. They're pretty sweet heh. My stockers weren't too bad but the stock LCAs are junk. Get some UMI tubulars and check out the difference in traction

 

QA1s are reportedly garbage for handling -- only good for the strip/drag, not sure how you love them on the street?!

I might consider LCAs in the near future, debating if I should just get the upgraded higher durometer bushings on the stockers instead?

 

Then whoever reported to you is an idiot... Mine handle just fine lol. They're great for both as long as you get the 12 way adjustable...

 

You must goto the strip a LOT if you love QA1s...

Sam Strano is an idiot when he says "QA1's are adjustable and just have sucky baseline settings and will never work as well as non-adjustable Bilstein."?

What about when he says "QA1's don't control stock springs very well, they really have no prayer of doing a good job with lowering springs. You should ask anyone who's had them. I've replaced a lot of QA1's over the years because folks couldn't stand how they drove and rode even with stock springs. Only gets worse with stiffer springs..."?!

How about this about QA1s: "Those shocks aren't very good dampers, period. The more spring rate, the less travel (which lowering springs have) the better the shocks have to be to make the car work correctly. And fwiw, ride and handling are, in a lot of ways, linked. A car doesn't handle well if it only works on glass smooth roads."

Read:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/13163277-post52.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/12653631-post2.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/13123894-post9.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/13783424-post9.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/13309303-post43.html

I could go on, but you really ought to do a little research...

 

Check out how much beefier the Bilstein rear shock is compared to the stock Delphi/DeCarbon:

PS: Thanks to Z28Pete for originally suggesting these shocks for the 3.8L!

 

Wow! Big difference! Any pics of the fronts for comparison? The WS6store site didn't seem to show a good image of the Bilstein fronts with the pin already installed in the lower bushing.
I'm interested in getting a set for my 94. I knew I would do it eventually after doing some research but it looks you did that part for me. I'd keep the stock springs.

 

^ The fronts look about the same size as stock (albeit cleaner).

 

Hey Liberty, you have any pics of your cars or threads with pics of your cars? I've never seen them and was just interested.

 

Hi Liberty ?