KYB gas shocks?

[Johan]

I want to replace my (propably 29 y old) shocks to eliminate that nasty "Cadillac Eldorado"-feeling I currently get when I hit a bump.

I'm looking at KYB gas shocks (I'm fully aware that adjustable Koni's would be nicer, but they are also 4 times the price...), but what about GR-2 VS. Gas-a-Just?

Which would be the best for me? I'm more out for control/performance than a smooth ride (but not too harsh).
I assume Gas-a-just, but I have also read the opposite (that GR-2 give more control).

And where do I get the best deal on them?

Thanks /Johan

 

[Crickett]

I've hear those KYB shocks are pretty crappy. If you wanna get rid of that cadillac feel go with the koni's or bilstein's.

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

I have the KYB's on my 78 with no compliants; but it had stock GM's on it before. For the price difference I can replace them a couple of times for what the others cost.

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

I have the KYB's on my 78 with no compliants; but it had stock GM's on it before. For the price difference I can replace them a couple of times for what the others cost.

;stupid

Granted I have a much different car (94) but I went with the KYB from the tire rack. For $130 there is nothing to complain about.

 

[wluessen]

I am running KYB on my '67 vette and '96 Camaro. For the price they can't be beat. I am sure that Koni or Bilstine are better but for the cost, KYB works great. I got mine from Proformance Suspension Technology (PST) on the web, $119 for the set of 4.:cool

 

[warren s]

KYBs on my 95, no problems, handles great.

 

[bossvette]

;stupid
I also am running KYB's from PST with no complaints. The other High Dollar stuff might be better but for the kind of driving I do(NW Ohio flat, straight,don't get to close to the Cows) they work fine

almost forgot the most important part

http://www.p-s-t.com/

 

[clar2001]

KYB GR2s are way to soft took new ones off after 2 weeks & installed a Blisteen Hi pressure sport shock.

If you want a pair of KYBs Gr-2 have a bran new pair for a very reasionable price $20 plus shipping.

Also have a pair of Almost new air shocks for the rear actually ride control shocks.

I like a hard ride for Hi speed connering

 

[robert kirk]

I am also using KYB's on both the 92 and the 71. Really good bang for the buck. I felt the extra money could be spent elsewhere and do more good. I like the ride and handling. I change shocks at about 20 thou miles, It keeps the new car feel and saves the suspension. You can spend a lot more money and not get any better performance. just my opi. robert

 

[Buckskin7T7V]

Go with KYB..The Koni warranty sucks. You have to send them the defective shock and they decide if they want to replace it. The ride is to hard for any street driving.
I do not beleive they make shocks for the Vettes, but Pro Comp makes the best shocks and they have a walk-in and replacement warranty for life.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

I have pretty much tried all the "usual suspects" of shocks on my '81 4-spd, which I have used in the real world over all sorts of roads for almost 100K miles. The KYBs were by far the worst---the problem with them was that they had a bad upward rebound "snap" at high speed over road undulations. I changed them after several months, because the snap affected control. The Bilsteins are good, and the Konis are very good, but way too difficult to get adjusted properly. Don't laugh, but the best shocks have turned out to be the Monroe Sensatrac! They give a controlled, flat ride much like the Konis, but without the cost or adjustment nightmares. They are also the cheapest, and they are available everywhere. Some people have also recommended the Edlebrock Performer IAS shocks, and when the Monroes wear out I will be giving them a try.

--Chris Kennedy

 

[Pace78]

I took the Koni's they are really great and adjustable.

The best deal you can get is in the Netherlands, that's where they make 'm.

Bye,

Rene

 

[Culprit]

Nobody has mentioned the Delco Reactec's. From reading previous threads, they seemed to be up there with Blistens.

Thoughts?

 

[Johan]

Thanks for all the input.

I guess Monroe Sensatrac, KYB Gas-a-Just and Delco Reactec are all about the same? (same price range and same design)

I would like to know if any of them is firmer than the others though, but I suppose I'll have to buy all three and make a test...

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Well, given my experience I would certainly seriously consider the Delcos. I have worked with the suspension a good deal, and I think people (including myself, at times), have a tendency to over do it with aftermarket stiff springs, large roll bars etc. In certain cases, I have worked "downward"---that is, starting with one of the suspension kits and going to more compliant components bit by bit until I get the feel I want. I use this car heavily in the real world, over the streets of Houston which are on par with ones I have driven on in the Middle East (worse, actually in some regards). The goal is what I call a "flat ride". ...no float, but neither is the car pitching and skittering across the pavement breaks. It's amazing the good difference slightly softer and compliant shocks can make (you end up actually being able to go faster because the suspension is working), and I don't think it's any accident that the GM magnetic ride control is based on adjusting shock "firmness". So, I guess the bottom line is "to thine ownself be true". We all get beguiled by the "big names" such as Bilstein and KYB, etc., but we need to keep an open mind. I found the expensive and exclusive KYBs to be miserable and they made the car feel pitchy and cheap, whereas the Monroes were smooth and controlled, and made the car go faster.

--Chris Kennedy

 

[JohnZ]

I've tried both varieties of the Delcos, both on my '67 and on my '69 Z/28, and found them to be "boulevard ride" calibrated, "floaty", with very poor rebound damping. I then went with the KYB "Gas-A-Just" (KG4514 front, KG5501 rear, $120.00 for all four), and I'm very pleased with them; good ride control and rebound damping, but won't shake your fillings out like Konis and other typical "race" shocks.

 

[mr mctavish]

I have the kyb gas adjust with a 340 lb rear spring. --works well

 

[Steve Grodin]

Definitley go with Bilstein or Koni. I tried KYB and had two defective ones. Went with Koni.