FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
#1266176
07/12/12 12:23 AM
07/12/12 12:23 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 587 IL . usa
cjs69mope
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 587
IL . usa
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I am just putting this info out there to find out if other people have had the same results as i have with two different styles of shocks that are popular and find there way on many of our mopars . This is how this started I built a 69 Charger with a approx 600 hp stroker motor and wanted to make it as a more modern type G handling machine. So i installed firm feel two steering box , firm feel tubular upper a arms , firm feel 1" sway bar kit , low profile 60 series tires on 17 " rims with KYB shocks . .94 torsion bars and xhd rear springs. The car was never driven before this build so i had nothing to compare the ride and handling to. I thought that the car handled great took high speed corners fairly well and felt very sure footed . After reading about other people bad mouthing the Kyb's i switched to The Monroe gas matics. This is where i made a big mistake my car now handles like a old mush grandpa car and lost traction too on the launch. FYI for all the bad mouthing out there about KYB's thay work on my car better than the Monroe's I will be switching them back this weekend ! I thought the Monroe's would have been better for traction but surprisingly not . Hope this helps some one else save some time.
1969 Dodge Charger
1969 Dodge Superbee
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: cjs69mope]
#1266177
07/12/12 12:28 AM
07/12/12 12:28 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302 Nebraska
72Swinger
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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I dont think anyone said KYBs didnt handle ok just ride like a creeper. I went from Monroes to Bilsteins and the ride is as good but the car is under control and predictable. I also went from .890 bars to 1.06 bars and from Oval track springs to Hotchkis at the same time and I was super suprised at no compromise is the ride whatsoever. My mother in law said my car was smoother than her older Lexus at 90mph on the interstate!
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: cjs69mope]
#1266182
07/12/12 03:58 PM
07/12/12 03:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394 Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394
Pikes Peak Country
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Quote:
After reading about other people bad mouthing the Kyb's i switched to The Monroe gas matics. This is where i made a big mistake my car now handles like a old mush grandpa car and lost traction too on the launch. FYI for all the bad mouthing out there about KYB's thay work on my car better than the Monroe's I will be switching them back this weekend ! I thought the Monroe's would have been better for traction but surprisingly not .
I'm sorry to hear you went to the expense and trouble of this exercise on hearsay. However, if you read through those threads closely you would have also found the opinions that while not suitable for a wide range of set ups, there are combinations that the KYBs will work okay with. It sounds like your combo was working well and you were happy with the ride provided by the KYBs. Fortunately, Monroes are not a bucket of money to buy, so you aren't out a huge amount. You might be able to swap meet them for $20-30 and recover some cash.
Quote:
Unfortunately us late 3rd gen guys are stuck with no real front shock choices. I'm hoping to play around with some Konis or Bilsteins to adapt them to fit.
Lok at the end of this thread for a suggested remedy to that scenario, if originality is not a big issue for you: https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=0#Post7278830
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: ahy]
#1266186
07/16/12 08:50 AM
07/16/12 08:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123 Grand Haven, MI
patrick
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123
Grand Haven, MI
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my experience was on an M body, where until very recently, there were no options for T-bar choices, being a bent bar car (firm feel recently came out with different sized bars, but like all their stuff, they ain't cheap)....I had upgraded to poly bushings in the front, and police spec rear springs, as well as a 1.125" front and 1" rear sway bars. the KYB's handled very good with my 255/50R17 tires, but it did ride like an oxcart, any small to moderate bump was harsh, nearly tooth-filling loosening harsh. I replaced with Monroe Sensa-tracs, not the cheap monroes, and the ride was MUCH more comfortable, with no loss in handling prowess...
1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD 1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!*** 2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: bordin34]
#1266187
07/21/12 09:36 AM
07/21/12 09:36 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688 Marlboro, NY, USA
Rick_Ehrenberg
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688
Marlboro, NY, USA
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Quote:
I have KYBs on my 73 Charger with 1.06" tbars and they are pretty bad. They seem like they cant control the spring and ride way too firm. Unfortunately us late 3rd gen guys are stuck with no real front shock choices. I'm hoping to play around with some Konis or Bilsteins to adapt them to fit.
Koni used to make shocks for that app. I had 'em, there was basically nothing else that even came CLOSE to working. Had to set 'em on 75% firm minimum to control the "heaving".
Rick
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: Rick_Ehrenberg]
#1266188
08/02/12 12:22 PM
08/02/12 12:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442
NW Chicago suburban area
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I have the Koni RED adjustable shocks on my Challenger... set full-stiff front and have varied the adjustments at rear... full stiff is too much (lifts the inside rear tire)... 1/2 to 3/4 is better. I'm considering to eventually get the double-adjustables from QA1, maybe Strange, etc., and have them pressure set for my suspension.
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: roadrunninMark]
#1266192
08/11/12 10:09 AM
08/11/12 10:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,323 NY NY
340duster340
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,323
NY NY
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Quote:
Anyone try a sit of Gabriel Gaurdians? I need a new front pair of shocks and they seem to have better info then the Monroes. Plus I wouldn't have to paint them.
i have gabriels in my jeep. nice improvement over the worn out stock stuff. honestly their prices are great for a commuter car but havent tried them yet on a car that can actually handle.
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: jcc]
#1266193
08/11/12 02:51 PM
08/11/12 02:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area
Mopar Mitch
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,442
NW Chicago suburban area
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To have the schocks best matched for any car having a modified suspension (such as extremely stiff suspension), its best to request the shock manufacturer to re-valv the internal presures so to match the stiffness of the springs. Typically, the shocks are made to a predetermined internal pressure that would be acceptable to most average car's suspension stiffness. I've talked with different shock tech reps and they've all suggested that to best fit my suspension setup (very stiff) to have the internal pressure changed by the company. In other words, I wouldn't take an "off the shelf" shock if I wanted best results.
Mopar Mitch
"Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers!
Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: Mopar Mitch]
#1266194
08/11/12 03:01 PM
08/11/12 03:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 22,700 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: 22,700
Bitopia
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So IYO is that "pressure matching" within the scope of the members here on corners, or strictly a race type proposition, and this is the first time over the years I have seen it mentioned here. And this is a better solution then say off the shelf 2 way adjustable shocks? And the upcharge on a custom valved turned shock increases shock cost approx %??. It makes sense, but....
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
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Re: FYI KYB VS Monroe gas shocks Experience .
[Re: jcc]
#1266195
08/11/12 08:53 PM
08/11/12 08:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394 Pikes Peak Country
TC@HP2
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,394
Pikes Peak Country
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I've not heard it called pressure matching before, but I believe most places refer to it as custom valving, and yes you can get it done fairly easy by most performance shock manufacturers. Call them up, talk to the tech guys about weights, rates, usage, and they can dial in what you want in any shock that is not bargain basement in price. In higher end shocks it is almost a necessity. Yes, it will cost a bit more, but how much more depends on the company and the shock package.
Is it better, it depends. It certainly means you don't need to dink around with adjustments. This can be good or bad depending on application and end user's technical exertise.
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