KYB vs. Bilstien shocks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
KYB vs. Bilstien shocks
VBP : they offer a KYB GR2 shock that they designed and KYB built that goes with the fiberglass rear spring. I want to upgrade to their rear 330lb fiberglass spring and at the same time I think I should change the shocks. Anyone have a opinion in this ? Are the Bilstein's worth the price? Or are these KYB's that VB&P designed just as good. By the way, I am asking b/c the KYB's are half the price. This will be for my 72 Coupe 350 4spd with C5 2002 thinspoke wheels 17" front 18 " rear. Stock C5 sized tires.
here's the link to the shocks:
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...-set-of-4.html
thanks for your input!
Sully
here's the link to the shocks:
http://www.vbandp.com/C2-C3-Corvette...-set-of-4.html
thanks for your input!
Sully
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
dont even think about the KYB
There is no comparison.... Bilstein Sport ...hands down...... KYB's are half the price, and 1/20 the performance... unless you want your rear to bounce like a buggy.... then the KYB's would be great!!!
back to back test here...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...yb-sports.html
back to back test here...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...yb-sports.html
Last edited by pauldana; Sep 21, 2010 at 10:34 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 675
From: FL
I have a 340# TRW rear spring and 460# front coils cut 1/2 coil. I ran the KYB shocks for 4 months then sold them to another member and bought the Bilsteins. Even with the special valving, the rear was very bouncy. Much better now.
Just my $0.02.
Just my $0.02.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
I have the VBP KYB's. I also have the stock spring as well. As said above it is softer and or bouncy depending on your spring type. A new stiffer spring will probably prevent this. The bilsteins are high performance stiffer/better handling shock. Depends on what your looking for.
I will probably upgrade to Bilsteins one day.
I will probably upgrade to Bilsteins one day.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
If you have the monospring, you really need to go up to the Bilstein Sports. There's a whole lot less damping with that spring than with the stock steel leaf set-up.
My car nearly threw me off the road after the spring swap.
My car nearly threw me off the road after the spring swap.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
A carbon composite spring is much more reactive and much faster reacting than the old steel springs.... and this is when you will notice the difference between a cheep shock like the KYB and a performance shock like the B's or Konies...
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville Arkansas
well for what I am planning on using the car for is driving, not racing of any sort. I will drive it to work which is about 22 miles each way. Occasional 1- 2 hour drives. That's how I want to enjoy the ride. I want smooth and easy... well smooth and easy for a corvette...lol. should I even mess with the fiberglass spring?
many thoughts here, thanks for the responses so far.
Sully
many thoughts here, thanks for the responses so far.
Sully
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
These springs need lots of extra damping.
(In all fairness, the HDs were at least 10 years old, but the stock spring did not have issues)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
well for what I am planning on using the car for is driving, not racing of any sort. I will drive it to work which is about 22 miles each way. Occasional 1- 2 hour drives. That's how I want to enjoy the ride. I want smooth and easy... well smooth and easy for a corvette...lol. should I even mess with the fiberglass spring?
many thoughts here, thanks for the responses so far.
Sully
many thoughts here, thanks for the responses so far.
Sully
about5 years ago I put on the Bilsteins from VBP....HUGE improvement.....
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: London
I just put Bilstein Sports on my stock 76 and the improvement is amazing!
It went from being a bouncy mess to a cornering "monster" its a bit hard and you can feel every little hole in the road but it feels a lot safer than it did before and i dont mind being shaken a bit!
It went from being a bouncy mess to a cornering "monster" its a bit hard and you can feel every little hole in the road but it feels a lot safer than it did before and i dont mind being shaken a bit!
