KYB Shocks any comments?

[4U2NV1986]

Anyone Have any experience with KYB shocks? If so how do you like them? They seem to be priced relatively cheap compared to their Koni/ Bilstein counterparts. Summit Racing seems to have the best price on them, but I'm not that familiar with the brand name and a little leery to purchase these (never heard of to me) brand of shocks. The shocks on my car have not been changed to the best of my knowledge; the car seems to have funny bounce out of the rear end right side.

Any insight would bee helpful.. :confused

 

[c4ever]

I run them on the 82 and have no complaints. For the price they can't be beat IMHO. Good ride and nice handling.
My C4 is due for shocks next year but I'll be going for Bilsteins. C4's a different animal.

Carlo

 

[Hotred94]

The shocks haven't been changed since 1986? Wow, I bet they are mush. KYB shocks are made in Japan and they are hugh in Asia. I think they are decent quality, excellent price, but not Blisteins. If you can handle that--go for it. I have no complants about mine.

 

[bluecoupe]

Many years ago I put KYB shocks on a 1976 corvette and what a huge difference they made. It was like a different (much better) car. Smoother around town and less roll in the curves. They may not make as huge a difference on a C4. They already handle very well stock but the KYBs will be an improvement over stock or OEM shocks, especially old worn out stock shocks. If you don't want to spend a lot of cash then get the KYBs.

 

[boonie]

kyb shocks

yes their great shocks, i've used them on my 94 c4 for about 3 months now and i would say that their better than the OEM bilistein shocks at %50 less money.

 

[fosters10]

I put KYB's on my '94 coupe just last month and also had them on my '85. I don't think you can do any better regardless of price. They work great and you can't disregard the fact they're half the price of Bilsteins. Konis' aren't what they were in the '70s and 80's. Remember, the KYB's are made in Japan. I respect that, even though all their four wheelers should be shipped back to Tokyo.

 

[bttb]

Have them on my 86 for a few years ---I think that they are very good durable shocks

 

[88Z51]

Has anybody done any direct comparisons between the Bilsteins and the KYB's in an autocross type application? How about in ~spirited~ street driving? I guess what I'm asking is do the KYB's make the suspension more supple in its ability to absorb bumps, pot holes and the likes? Or do they make it rougher with more of a tendency to skip over bumps, patches, etc. than the OE Bilsteins? Again, I'm meaning in a push-it-to-the-limits type application..... And finally, has anybody tried the Edelbrock IAS shocks? I know they are in the Bilstein + price range, but from what I understand they are better at keeping tire contact with the pavement in a street / track application.... Any thoughts / experiences??

Greg.

 

[aoriii]

I'm planning on replacing the shocks on my 85 as well, and I've been giving the KYB's some serious looks as well. I kinda have the same ??'s as 88Z51. Will this make the ride a little more 'civilized' ? As my car stands today, it can shake you to death on even moderatly rough roads (which I have a lot of in this town). It looks like my car still has the original Bilstein's on it, but it also sat in a garage for an unspecified amount of time.


Great info in this thread.

Trey

 

[warren s]

I have KYBs on my 95 for 2 years now, love them

I have had them on my GTOs, Grand Ams, Buick T-Type , never a problem and always an improvement over stock.

 

[Don&Kelly]

I put the KYB's on my '81 and they seem to work well .. I have the Bilstein Sports on my 2000 and they too are great.

Hard to compare the two installations because of the vast difference in the 2 vettes..

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

I never heard of them either until reading comments here and bought a set last year. No complaints at all. Got mine at the Tirerack.com for the best price. Lifetime warranty. How can you complain !!!

If you want specific racing characteristics then you might want the big $$$$ name stuff but for around town and a little fun why look anyplace else !

 

[oldace84]

I used them 10 years ago on my '69 vert.
Ok for cheap.
tony

 

[Ken]

Moved.

 

[mygr888]

shocked

I have them on my 88 convert. and they seem fine. Good choice for the price.

 

[8388]

KYB's are great shocks for the money, but if you have set of Bilsteins factory shocks and are serious about your driving, you can send them to Bilsteins to be rebuilt and have the valving customized for your driving needs. The improvement is dramatic.

 

[88Z51]

8388, any idea of the cost of rebuilding the originals? Or the time frame for Bilstein to rebuild them?

Thanks, Greg.

 

[8388]

Hi Greg, the last time I did this was about 2 years ago and the cost was around $50.00 per shock. This seems high for a rebuild when places like MAD offers the set brand new for just 100 bucks more, but the difference in the valving makes it well worth it. The handling improvement is seat of the pants.