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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: DartGTX] #1152022
01/09/12 06:51 PM
01/09/12 06:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
F
finadk Offline
enthusiast
finadk  Offline
enthusiast
F

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
I have always had great success with KYB Gas-A-Just. They really tightened up the ride of my 70's and 80's cars. I tried the GR2 strut on a 85 Ford t-turd and hated it....... much too soft.

If you want a performance shock to control roll and help handling they cant be beat for the price.


Scott 1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer (408 Stroker, 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Rack & Pinion, 6 speed) 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 1976 Corvette
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: Sinitro] #1152023
01/09/12 08:27 PM
01/09/12 08:27 PM
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
D
DPelletier Offline
I Live Here
DPelletier  Offline
I Live Here
D

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 15,134
Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Quote:

The best shock absorbers are made by Bilstein and Koni..
Not cheap but they work great and last 100K miles..

Just my $0.02..




Actually the best shocks are built by Fox and King;



....but they are overkill for any street driven vehicle. automotive shock technology is in the dark ages compared to off road motorsports.

Anywho;

- you have the stock replacement type stuff like Monroe and Gabriel. I used to sell Monroe and used the Gas Magnums on alot of my stuff.

- next step up is the Bilsteins, Koni's and such

- top drawer is the rebuildable, adjustable goodies like Fox, King and others make.

There is lots of interbreeding and rebadging by manufacturers and retailers too. I've always heard the KYB's are old school and harsh though I've not bothered trying them myself. I would go with any good replacement gas shock unless I was trying to race between cones, then Bilstein would be my first pick.


Dave


1970 Super Bee 440 Six Pack 1974 'Cuda 2008 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Ram 3500 Diesel 2004.5 Ram 2500 Diesel 2003 Ram 3500 Diesel 2006 Durango Limited [url] http://1970superbee.piczo.com [/url]
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: DPelletier] #1152024
01/10/12 06:05 AM
01/10/12 06:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader Offline
Swears too much
Pale_Roader  Offline
Swears too much

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...

When i did the 'high performance' rebuild on my 72 Chargers suspension (poly bushings everywhere but the leafs, frt and rear factory sway bars with improved mounting, lowered 2") i went with the KYB's because the magazines loved them and the 'hate' was not quite out there yet. This was before i found Moparts.

That car rode like an old pickup truck on a farm road. It cornered pretty damn flat considering i did not touch the stock (HP, not hemi) T-bars and leafs, but did not corner well. Better than stock was all i could say about it... which we all know aint saying a lot.

I didn't know anything about shocks, only that i 'needed' HP shocks... so i got them. I cant honestly say i noticed anything different about the 'shocking' with them than with good factory style ones.

The Challenger is gonna get Bilsteins. Would be nice if they came with the suspension kits... but they dont. I'm HOPING that $400 spent on those will actually DO something for my car this time. This car is getting EVERYTHING though... the full front to back kit.

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: Pale_Roader] #1152025
01/10/12 03:19 PM
01/10/12 03:19 PM
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,682
Philadelphia
R
radar Offline
top fuel
radar  Offline
top fuel
R

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,682
Philadelphia
I liked mine with 1.08 torsion bars and KYBs on the demon. I just went to .83 bars and 90/10 comp shocks and I'm enjoying the new feeling of weight transfer even in the street.

The old setup cornered flat and felt awesome, it was the stock '72 demon buckets that held me back- without side bolsters I was either hanging on for dear life or uncomfortably strapped in with the stock shoulder belt (good luck reaching the glovebox!)

Maybe the KYBs are a better match for a stiff t-bar? I never skipped around corners much, but it would get air over intersections with crowned roads when I wound out 2nd gear. I have KYBs and 318 bars on my 73 swinger with 225/45-17 summer tires. I like the feel but my wife doesn't know how to watch for/avoid bumps so she thinks its too harsh when she drives.

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: radar] #1152026
01/10/12 03:42 PM
01/10/12 03:42 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 64
Iowa
G
GreenBird Offline
member
GreenBird  Offline
member
G

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 64
Iowa
Since you are not going to turn an old mopar into a corner carver without a total suspension replacement, I think the KYBs do the job OK, especially considering the price. The other cars I drive are a 09 Shelby GT500 and a 01 Camaro Z28. Going in a straight line, my 69 Roadrunner with KYBs has the best ride (least harsh) of the 3. I guess it all depends on what you are used to.

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: radar] #1152027
01/10/12 03:48 PM
01/10/12 03:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
F
Fury Fan Offline
master
Fury Fan  Offline
master
F

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
I, too, have used the KYBs for many years and recently found out that they were 'junk'. I've used them only on C-bodies, though, so that might be a reason they were not objectionable.

The last set went on a 68 Fury with 1.12 T-bars and a 1 1/8" swaybar. I do feel a lot more of the road than before, but the bars surely contribute to that also (never did bars before this car). Haven't felt it skip around due to bumps, but I try to limit C-tossing to familiar smooth roadway (this driver has found his limitations too many times in teh past ).

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: Fury Fan] #1152028
01/10/12 05:28 PM
01/10/12 05:28 PM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 288
Birmingham, England
M
Mick70RR Offline
enthusiast
Mick70RR  Offline
enthusiast
M

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 288
Birmingham, England
I had KYB gas-adjusts on the front of my Road Runner for a short while. They were too harsh for me, I could feel every bump in the road and the whole car shook if I hit a pothole. I changed them for QA1 single adjustables and the difference was like night and day.


1970 Road Runner 505 cid MCH CNC ported Stealth heads MP 528 camshaft 4 speed GV overdrive 11.98 @ 117 on street treads
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: Mick70RR] #1152029
01/10/12 10:46 PM
01/10/12 10:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle Offline
pro stock
racealittle  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
I found the KYB shocks a great improvement. I had the same set on an F body that had a police suspension. I had them on that car for nearly 30 years. That car handled extremely well and had a good ride.

I think most of the haters have poly bushings and other poly components that make the ride harsh.

I bought my rear KYB shocks at the mopar nats for $5 almost new, bought the fronts for $27 each. I'm going to try them on my stock rubber bushing Challenger and see how it goes. I replaced a set of $200 drag shocks and know they will be better than that. I just need to get my car out of paint prison.

Carquest shocks are made by KYB, are black in color, and seem to be reasonably priced.


Too many cars, too many parts, too little coin, too little space to work in, too little time left to make it all happen! Update: down to one ride, still too many parts, a little more jingle in the pocket, gaining space, and it's going to happen this year!
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: DartGTX] #1152030
01/11/12 01:02 AM
01/11/12 01:02 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,193
NEW JERSEY
AARCONV Offline
master
AARCONV  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,193
NEW JERSEY
too stiff for me....

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: AARCONV] #1152031
01/11/12 01:19 AM
01/11/12 01:19 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 612
Nampa, ID
None2Slow Offline
mopar
None2Slow  Offline
mopar

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 612
Nampa, ID
A couple weeks ago on Xtreme 4x4, Ian took a 4x4 out and tested it with a suspension expert, then had a suspension guy revalve the shocks. The difference was night and day. You could see how stiff the valving was just watching it drive past. After the revalve, you could see how much smoother the ride was. Less shock being transmitted to the body. Also, this allowed the suspension do its job. It looks like it would be worth the time to talk to a shock company and see what they recomend. Just because they "fit", doesn't mean there the right ones.

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: racealittle] #1152032
01/11/12 12:55 PM
01/11/12 12:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,385
Pikes Peak Country
T
TC@HP2 Offline
master
TC@HP2  Offline
master
T

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,385
Pikes Peak Country
Understanding the difference between progressive, digressive, and linear valving combined with road conditions and the ever present "driver capability" variable goes a long way in understanding why some shocks feel overly soft while others feel too stiff. Suffice it to say there are so many variables at play that, like a broken clock is correct twice a day, so too can even a piece of junk like a KYB can work well on some combinations, in some environments, with some drivers.

In any case, to understand appplication of shock dynamics and capability is a big reason why so many Cup cars are so fast while others are also ran. Two decades ago there was no such things as a shock engineer and nobody bothered to dyno their shocks. These days, if you want to be a front runner, these are important things to have if you ever want to win. The understanding and capability of a shock is of paramount importance to the overall suspension operation.

Lets put it in these terms; shock absorbers are to a suspension what a camshaft is to an engine. Much like a cam will determine an engines useful range, power levels, ranges of power, and curve of power, so too will a shock operation within a suspension system to determine operating characteristics, manners, and feel. Matching shocks to suspensions achieves results similar to matching cams to engines. Sure any old thing thrown in there will work, but when you seek to achieve optimal results, the cheapest shocks with the most pressure are not going to be any better than using the cam with biggest lift and longest duration.


Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: racealittle] #1152033
01/11/12 01:01 PM
01/11/12 01:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda Offline
Too Many Posts
Pacnorthcuda  Offline
Too Many Posts

Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,808
Kirkland, Washington
Quote:


Carquest shocks are made by KYB, are black in color, and seem to be reasonably priced.




I am pretty sure the Carquest shocks are the in-house brand of the KYB GR2 shock, not the "gas-a-just". GR2's are much softer.

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: TC@HP2] #1152034
01/11/12 01:44 PM
01/11/12 01:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
Quote:

there are so many variables at play that, like a broken clock is correct twice a day, so too can even a piece of junk like a KYB can work well on some combinations, in some environments, with some drivers.





Case closed.


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: jcc] #1152035
01/14/12 08:13 AM
01/14/12 08:13 AM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632
SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
72N96RR Offline
I LOVE WEDGIES
72N96RR  Offline
I LOVE WEDGIES

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632
SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
So to run big tires like 295-50s or 275-60s what do you need on the rear to avoid rubbing issues...
My car came with these but they have to go so I am sitting here with 4 brand new KYB shocks and now afraid to install them as I have heard the HARSH/DRIVES LIKE A TRUCK crap for a while now...
Im not an air shock guy either..
That exhaust is loong gone too..

Last edited by 72N96RR; 01/14/12 08:14 AM.

1972 Road Runner / GTX 440 4spd Dana 3.54 Just about to turn 26K original miles..

A boat, a GMC truck, some Craftsman Tools, LOTS of Zombie Protection, and a few Goldfish..

If you love someone set them free..
If they come back it means nobody else wanted them either..!!
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: 72N96RR] #1152036
01/14/12 10:42 PM
01/14/12 10:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline OP
Striving for excellence
Kern Dog  Offline OP
Striving for excellence

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
You could have the leaf springs REarched.

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: Kern Dog] #1152037
01/15/12 04:43 PM
01/15/12 04:43 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,177
Someplace you aren't
S
SomeCarGuy Offline
I Live Here
SomeCarGuy  Offline
I Live Here
S

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,177
Someplace you aren't
The KYB's make a car ride rougher than a night in jail. Nothing to be gained there at all. Stock replacments are less, quality shocks cost more. Seems they are just there to fill the in between void in the price levels.

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: Kern Dog] #1152038
01/15/12 04:44 PM
01/15/12 04:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
This really should be in "corners"?


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: Fury Fan] #1152039
01/15/12 07:06 PM
01/15/12 07:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,836
Detroit boy in Saugerties, NY
BrianShaughnessy Offline
master
BrianShaughnessy  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,836
Detroit boy in Saugerties, NY
I hated the ride with kyb's. Tossed them for Edelbrocks. Night and day.


Black Betty: '69 Charger RT: 440 6 pack, TKO600 5 speed, 3.73 Dana.
Sinnamon: '69 Charger RT: 440, 727, 4.30 8.75. High School Sweetheart.
El Grande: '98 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited.
Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: jcc] #1152040
01/15/12 07:08 PM
01/15/12 07:08 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
amxautox  Offline
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
Quote:

This really should be in "corners"?


WAS no 'Corners' on Jan. 6th.


Tom

"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

-Henry David Thoreau

Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

author unknown

Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs? [Re: amxautox] #1152041
01/15/12 07:47 PM
01/15/12 07:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
J
jcc Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc  Offline
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
J

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,695
Bitopia
Quote:

Quote:

This really should be in "corners"?


WAS no 'Corners' on Jan. 6th.




Well I guess you could now say we've turned the corner.

Regardless, it is a current hp chassis topic that we have covered ad infinite-um in years past, and I thought that a friendly suggestion to relocate was in order, and someone else must have agreed. They still suck.


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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