Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: DartGTX]
#1152022
01/09/12 06:51 PM
01/09/12 06:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299 East Brunswick, NJ
finadk
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 299
East Brunswick, NJ
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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
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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: radar]
#1152027
01/10/12 03:48 PM
01/10/12 03:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533 Indiana
Fury Fan
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,533
Indiana
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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 ).
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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: Fury Fan]
#1152028
01/10/12 05:28 PM
01/10/12 05:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 288 Birmingham, England
Mick70RR
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 288
Birmingham, England
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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
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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: Mick70RR]
#1152029
01/10/12 10:46 PM
01/10/12 10:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263 Southwestern Ontario Canada
racealittle
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,263
Southwestern Ontario Canada
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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!
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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: racealittle]
#1152032
01/11/12 12:55 PM
01/11/12 12:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,388 Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,388
Pikes Peak Country
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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.
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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: racealittle]
#1152033
01/11/12 01:01 PM
01/11/12 01:01 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,819 Kirkland, Washington
Pacnorthcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 21,819
Kirkland, Washington
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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.
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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: jcc]
#1152035
01/14/12 08:13 AM
01/14/12 08:13 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632 SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
72N96RR
I LOVE WEDGIES
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I LOVE WEDGIES
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,632
SHELBY TWP,,MICHIGAN
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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..!!
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Re: Why so much hatred for the KYBs?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1152038
01/15/12 04:44 PM
01/15/12 04:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696 Bitopia
jcc
If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
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If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,696
Bitopia
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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.
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