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Thread: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

  1. #1
    Garrett booster
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    Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    I am thinking of getting a set for my 88 Z. Are they a decent upgrade over stock? What are the differences between the GR-2 and Gas-Adjust on the rear shocks? I am not going to be lowering the car or auto crossing it. Just looking for opinions on good replacements.

    Bob

  2. #2
    Buy my stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :O) Turbo Mopar Vendor turbovanmanČ's Avatar
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    They'll be fine for stock springs. The gas-adjust are just regular replacements and will be way better than your worn out stuff. The GR-2's are better.
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  3. #3
    Rhymes with tortoise. Turbo Mopar Staff cordes's Avatar
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    I had some on the front of my shadow for a while. They were just the GR-2s. They were a decent replacement.

  4. #4
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Thanks guys.

  5. #5
    boostaholic
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    I have a set of gr2's for the front of mine. Gotta swap the springs and get the car back together though. Should be much better than the worn out Mopar units that were on there.

  6. #6
    Bad Mother Flecker Turbo Mopar Staff fleckster's Avatar
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    I had GR-2s on my old Shelby Z and I didn't like them. But to be fair, they were not capable of handling the progressive rate Eibach springs. With the stockers, they might have been fine. I had the Gas-A-Justs on the rear. I liked them back there but they were STIFF. I have used the Gas-A-Just shocks on my old school RWD Mopars and have always like them.

    John M. Fleck

    '83 Dodge Rampage 2.2 w/ 2.5L Turbo 14.79@94
    '87 Shelby Lancer #213 14.99@94
    '89 Chrysler LeBaron GT Turbo 'vert 15.88@92
    '92 Dodge Spirit R/T 13.50@104 ; 13.34@102 on slicks
    '98 Dodge Neon R/T 15.66@89
    '03 Dodge SRT-4 13.91@98

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    Buy my stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :O) Turbo Mopar Vendor turbovanmanČ's Avatar
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Ok, I had them mixed up, thanks Fleckster, Gas-adjust are the stiffer ones,
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

  8. #8
    turbo addict Turbo Mopar Contributor iTurbo's Avatar
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Actually, the GR2s are like stock replacements (and maybe not even that good) and the Gas-A-Just are much stiffer.

    I have the KYB GR2 strut and KYB GAJ shock combo on two cars:

    On my Shelby Lancer, I'm using the KYBs with Eibach ProKit springs. I had also bought some GR2 rear shocks and compared them to the GAJ shocks. GAJ is waaay stiffer. The shock tube is also a lot thicker than the GR2. I ended up installing the GAJ shock because they would go better with the higher spring rate. They seem to do well with the Eibach spring and it isn't bouncy at all and feels firm and in control over speed bumps and dips/uneven road at high speed. As for the struts, I really hate the GR2s. They would probably be OK for stock springs, but with the Eibachs the front is very bouncy and I have to go very slowly over speed bumps or I'll get major rebound. Hiting dips/bumps cruising on the interstate at high speed feels a little scary sometimes. It really needs Koni struts in the front at least.

    On my Omni, I have stock springs and they do well with them. The front is not too bouncy, but I wish they were a bit stiffer. At first I bought some GR2 rear shocks, but when I compared the two (by compressing with my hands against the floor), the GAJ was way stiffer so I decided to use it instead. I don't think they make the GAJ shocks anymore, but I lucked out and found some on eBay. I think the application was for an earlier L-body. They fit my GLH perfectly and the lower spring perch sat about 1/2" lower than the GR2. My Omni sits perfectly level with the GAJ shocks.

  9. #9
    turbo addict
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    I have GR-2 for the front and Gas-A-Just shocks on the rear with stock springs on 89 Daytona Shelby.

    GR-2 sucks big time. They are very floaty from the beginning and they're getting worst. They're only 1 1/2 year old too. I feel like I'm driving a boat most of the time.
    Last edited by tryingbe; 04-20-2006 at 04:30 PM.

  10. #10
    boostaholic
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Great

  11. #11
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    gr2's dampen the stock springs just fine.. they weren't built with performance in mind but are better than sensatracs (aka boat shocks) in my opinion

    if you can buy koni's BUY KONI'S!!

    use them with stock springs on full soft setting until u save up to buy Eibach's down the road.. don't buy Eibach's first or you'll get a bouncy (unsafe) ride

  12. #12
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Don't waste your money on KYB's. They are only a direct replacement for factory parts. I installed GR-2's up front and Gas-a-justs in the rear, when I installed Eibach springs. Let me tell you this........

    With my experience with this setup, I get front end porpusing and bounce steer. There is just not enough dampening to control/tame the eibach springs. They prolly would work well on a stock setup. But in any performance application, do your self a favor, get something better.

  13. #13
    Buy my stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :O) Turbo Mopar Vendor turbovanmanČ's Avatar
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Quote Originally Posted by Wink
    Don't waste your money on KYB's. They are only a direct replacement for factory parts. I installed GR-2's up front and Gas-a-justs in the rear, when I installed Eibach springs. Let me tell you this........

    With my experience with this setup, I get front end porpusing and bounce steer. There is just not enough dampening to control/tame the eibach springs. They prolly would work well on a stock setup. But in any performance application, do your self a favor, get something better.
    He is only going stock so they'll be fine,
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

  14. #14
    turbo addict
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    So, my Daytona Shebly is suppose to handle shitty... I see.

  15. #15
    boostaholic
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Quote Originally Posted by tryingbe
    So, my Daytona Shebly is suppose to handle shitty... I see.
    LOL, felt fine to me....but we werent carving canyons.

    Oh well, this winter I plan to do this all over again with a CB motor, 555 or 568 and Koni's on all 4's.

  16. #16
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    I must defend the GR2 struts. I had the same problem with the infamous bounce. I looked and found the car was sitting on the bump stops up front! The KYB boots have a 4" Bump stop built into them. I tried to cut them, but the rod hole was now way too big. So I got some 63620's from NAPA and cut the stops to 1.25". No more bounce...... The 63621's have a 1.625" stop, but I didn't find out till later. I think they could still be stiffer, but they do well for what they are. I run the Suspension Techniques, and the Eibachs, So I feel how both spring styles are with the GR2's.

  17. #17
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    is there something between gas-adjust and konis?

  18. #18
    turbo addict
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Price, stiffness, and quality.

  19. #19
    Garrett booster
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Bilsteins

  20. #20
    Buy my stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :O) Turbo Mopar Vendor turbovanmanČ's Avatar
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    Re: Opinions on KYB Shocks/Struts

    Gabriels also work well.
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

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