Has anyone ever swapped in LESS firm shocks?

[DreamSign]

I have a 1999 base model 986 with replacement stock equivalent Bilstein shocks.

I'm curious if there is something that is less firm, less bumpy, for a softer ride. I don't track or race the car and would prefer a softer ride. It is just a fun cruising car.

Has anyone put in softer shocks?

Does anyone know of a make and model# of softer shocks that will fit?

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Starter986]

Trade in the 99 for this 98.

https://www.edmunds.com/buick/century/1998/review/

Listen... it's 342A, Pacific. I'm bored.

[Stl-986]

Koni or Bilstein...How much do you want to spend?
Koni sport you can get adjustable...which are a waste of money in the rear since you wont be able to adjust them anyway so if you go that route...set them in the middle before installing.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

Koni or Bilstein...How much do you want to spend?
Koni sport you can get adjustable...which are a waste of money in the rear since you wont be able to adjust them anyway so if you go that route...set them in the middle before installing.

I would prefer less expensive given those are both good brands. Might you know model numbers?
Thank you for your help 🙏

[Stl-986]

less expensive don't exist. those are the only 2 mfg. KYB doesn't even make them for the 986.

Go to each web site if you want the pn....or just look on Pelican

[maxnine11]

What size of wheels are you running?
A set of original 16 inch Boxster wheels can usually be found for dirt cheap.
Put on a brand of tires known for a smooth ride.
That extra 1/2 inch or 1 inch of sidewall (depending on whether you have 17s or 18s now) will be the cheapest comfort you can find.

max

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by maxnine11

What size of wheels are you running?
A set of original 16 inch Boxster wheels can usually be found for dirt cheap.
Put on a brand of tires known for a smooth ride.
That extra 1/2 inch or 1 inch of sidewall (depending on whether you have 17s or 18s now) will be the cheapest comfort you can find.

max

This was my first thought, and is a wise suggestion, but I really like the look of the 18s And I like the low slip angle and communication of a thinner sidewall. I think the best way to do what I want is to buy softer shocks. I know it is more expensive, but will most assuredly get me the result I'm wanting. Even if I were on a track, I don't need to feel every piece of dental floss I run over. I think my 986 is way over shocked.

[Benitom]

Koni Special Active (Color: Red)

I have Koni special active. Very comfortable drive but no loss in handling. I drove to Sacramento this past weekend, I have back issues and I was fine with the drive. (2 hours each way, and was stuck in some traffic) I use a lumbar pillow for extra support.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by Benitom

Koni Special Active (Color: Red)

I have Koni special active. Very comfortable drive but no loss in handling. I drove to Sacramento this past weekend, I have back issues and I was fine with the drive. (2 hours each way, and was stuck in some traffic) I use a lumbar pillow for extra support.

This is exactly the response I was hoping for. Thank you!

[DreamSign]

I just called Pelican, they told me there is a newer yellow Koni gas shock that is adjustable on the car (the reds must be removed to be adjusted)

I think I will give the Koni yellow's a try and will report back when able. The Bilstein's are not adjustable

[SCCA_AX]

IMHO the Koni Sport (yellows) have too much rebound damping, even on the softest setting. The Bilstein (who is the OE supplier, FWIW) should be softer. Are you sure you have the B4 and not the B6?

I'll second stepping down on wheel diameter. Not sure you're going to be able to have your cake and eat it too with damping changes alone.

[Stl-986]

Koni Red can NOT be adjusted.

Koni Sport (yellow) can be adjusted, but you wont be able to get to the top of them on the rear's to actually adjust them. They would have to make the adjuster external & at the bottom for the rears....but that wont ever happen since that would be a completely new design for Koni as a whole.

You really wont get anything "less firm" when you have a much smaller sidewall tire. Your current shocks could very well be bad and need to be replaced anyway, but I wouldn't expect in your mind that anything is going to make the ride better when you make changes with tires & wheel size

You can't expect a car to handle the same when you make the kind of changes you have made. So you have to decide....want looks or want ride quality. You wont get both.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

Koni Red can NOT be adjusted.

Koni Sport (yellow) can be adjusted, but you wont be able to get to the top of them on the rear's to actually adjust them. They would have to make the adjuster external & at the bottom for the rears....but that wont ever happen since that would be a completely new design for Koni as a whole.

You really wont get anything "less firm" when you have a much smaller sidewall tire. Your current shocks could very well be bad and need to be replaced anyway, but I wouldn't expect in your mind that anything is going to make the ride better when you make changes with tires & wheel size

You can't expect a car to handle the same when you make the kind of changes you have made. So you have to decide....want looks or want ride quality. You wont get both.

Pooo...

But I DO appreciate the reality check. The current shocks are less than 5k miles B6 installed by the previous owner. The car has only 34K total on it.

I'll have to re-consider what I want to do. Maybe the easiest thing to do is try the 16" wheels first... Then think about the koni reds? Can anyone with experience compare the Koni Red to the B4?

How do the B4s behave vs the B6? How do the B6 behave vs stock?


I have a set of 17" Boxster wheels and tires I can swap on to check if it makes a difference (have indy 500 tires on them)
Where is a good place to find a set of 16" Wheels?

[Stl-986]

CL, FB market

[1thenaton1]

I would consider the possibility that you have other worn suspension parts that are causing an uncomfortable ride. How familiar are you with changing shocks on a vehicle?

I would put it into the hands of a good independent shop and ask them to advise, unlikely you'll guess right.

[DreamSign]

Originally Posted by 1thenaton1

I would consider the possibility that you have other worn suspension parts that are causing an uncomfortable ride. How familiar are you with changing shocks on a vehicle?

I would put it into the hands of a good independent shop and ask them to advise, unlikely you'll guess right.

I've put in more than one set of shocks in my days. I'm 50. I've owned 30+ cars and I tend to do most of my own maintenance and modifications.

This car has always been garaged, has only 34K miles, and was exceptionally well maintained. I have all the records. The previous owner changed the oil every 4 months, even though it only got driven 1x week just to have driven it. All my bushings look and feel relatively fresh. There is no metal to metal feel, like a failed engine mount. The car feels tight, no rattles, no buzzes, nothing loose, just over shocked. I don't know why people think the shocks need to be so stiff for good handling, because they don't....unless you are going 10/10 over sharp bumps in a race for your life, I would prefer softer shocks.

When is the last time your or anyone else's tires hopped from too soft a shock in a high G corner anyway?

I'm just wanting a bit softer ride. I'm not looking for a ride like any of my 4 Jaguars. I know this is a pure sports car, but the stiffness of these shocks is way, way into diminishing returns territory.

[Quadcammer]

I found the stock suspension to be VERY soft, but I guess thats debatable.

I honestly think your best bet is to buy a set of coilovers with some low spring rates and set them to full soft.

[casioqv]

You can soften the ride a lot with smaller wheels (more sidewall), and lower tire pressures. Bilstein will also rebuild and custom-revalve Bilstein HDs. It can be a low cost option if you could find a set of blown used shocks for this work.

I'd probably go the coilover route mentioned above if going much softer, because you'll need to lift the car a bit to avoid bottoming out with a softer suspension.

[DreamSign]

I think the spring rates are fine, I just want 15-20% less firm shock. I'll first try the higher profile tires.

I took a long drive today, where the roads are good, the stock ride is fine, where the freeway is not so good is where a bit softer shock would improve the comfort.

[Boxstard]

Originally Posted by DreamSign

I think the spring rates are fine, I just want 15-20% less firm shock. I'll first try the higher profile tires.

I took a long drive today, where the roads are good, the stock ride is fine, where the freeway is not so good is where a bit softer shock would improve the comfort.

For what you are looking for, I’d say your car is overwheeled, rather than overshocked, try 17” or 16” wheels to increase the sidewall. Also tire brand/ model selection also affect ride comfort.

If you insist on changing shocks, have you looked into Koni FSD or now called Special Active dampers? It automatically adjusts dampening force under high or low load frequencies so ride over rough road is more forgiving. I used them on another car and liked it a lot, but I’m happy with Bilstein B8 shocks and H&R lowering springs on my 986 even on horrible Michigan road.