Anyone with first hand experience that changed to some aftermarket shocks and said WOW?

I have QA1 (single adjustables on the frt) and the long MP shocks (for the SS springs) on the rear. Probably a great strip combo but UGH on the street. Like driving a dump truck.

Edelbrock IAS seems to be popular

Was just looking at them. $ Ouch though.

From my real world life experience the edelbrocks are a poor choice for most cars. I used them for a handling hot rod and a 4 door. They porpoise when hot, push the ride height up & keep the suspension bound up. The car will ride like a buckboard wagon. I have street tested & torture tested them [hot laps-road course]and they did nothing to help the ride or the handling.
The hot rod got QA1's and the large chrysler got oem HD service part shocks.

I use the QA1's because it's a real shock, not some high pressure band-aid for other issues like worn springs. The QA1's are adjustable so they can be set to each car and personal taste. If you can't spend $600.00 for QA1's then install oem mopar HD shocks. These can be found still at swap meats, ebay etc at a fair price. I am not talking about nos cuda shocks, I am talking about the mopar service parts HD shocks that were avail from any mopar dealer.

As far as bilsteins and kyb they have been torture tested as well and failed. Konis are ok but pricey and usually not adjustable.

I've always been pleased with the KYB GasAdjust shocks.

A lot of it depends on your budget, too.

Thanks Tom. I have QA1 Stocker Star drag shocks on the frt I could flip.

And I did look into the QA1 DOUBLE adjustable shocks. Pricey. Is that $329 a PAIR?

I have had the IAS shocks on the GTX for a couple years now and have no issues with them. They ride just fine. I have .96 bars and HD springs with an extra main leaf added, sway bar up front but nothing in the back. They handle pretty well on off ramps and are not harsh.


Ken

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long MP shocks (for the SS springs) on the rear. Probably a great strip combo but UGH on the street. Like driving a dump truck

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That's your problem. Get 6 leaf ESPO springs and QA1 adjustable shocks on the rear.

QA1 are twin tube shocks which are steps below a high pressure gas monotube. Monotubes tend to ride much better as well.

The bilstein is a monotube design as well as the edelbrock. I agree the edelbrocks have some weird valving, but I wonder if the failure was from the one size fits all, as were the correct lenght (more likely).

The high pressure gas just helps the oil to stay stable during the heat of the action.

I have seen many claims that stock Monroe shocks are one of the best kept secrets out there.. Price is right and the ride is smooth. Installed a set of monroes on the front of my sons 95 Jaguar.. Made a ton of difference for $59.....

I have KYB's on my 67 B body and they seem fine..I wanted a stiffer shock and figured my car was fairly heavy...

Bilsteins...

http://www.racecardynamics.com/classics/indexhr/products/stock%20applications/musclecar.htm

Firm Feel is a retailer for RCD. I got these on my big Imperial lately and they are amazing. before it had kyb's on the front and some bastardized single-adjustable qa1's off my pontiac tempest on the back. the qa1's are too stiff, even on a big heavy mopar, even on their lowest settings. the kyb's on the front were overworked. now i hustle around at speed with ease.

I redid my suspension this summer and put on Monroes all the way around. My car is your basic street/strip car not an autocrosser, and I am happy with the ride quality. Got my shocks thru Rockauto. I am running SS springs in the rear also, so go for 71 imperial shocks for the rear as they are longer.