KYB vs monroe shocks
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
If I remember right, Bilstein only makes the HD for the rear. HD is not as firm as the Sport, so a combo of Sport front and HD rear for a less stiff ride. But , for all performance do Sports all around.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Then your missing a nice ride, sure they cost more, anything that is better than something else usually does, a Mercedes costs more than a Ugo 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
The ride was so much better I could not believe a set a shocks could do that and my KYB's were in good condition. I didn't feel every crack and rut in the road, they weren't soft and my Vette stayed stable and flat over going around corners, they are just superior shock absorbers. I can't express how much better they are you have to feel it yourself. 
HD's or Sports?? I have Sports and I think they are a little firm... I have read the HD's are not as stiff??
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I have hd in front with 550 springs and sports in the rear with a 360 composite spring and the car rides great. Sports are 30 % stiffer than the HD's.
Want a cadillac ride, buy a cadillac!! Most mass market shocks are really not very good!
Want a cadillac ride, buy a cadillac!! Most mass market shocks are really not very good!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Well, maybe you should. Have a 77' Olds, with custom suspension, and Bilstein HD shocks dated from 1983(still have the receipt). Car's on a 4 post storage lift, so easy to pull things off. Pulled the rear shocks for inspection, with not a drop of oil, and all of the Nitrogen pressure like new. Were $75 bucks each back then.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Wow, then I was wrong with that kind of logic. A monster truck tire is probably 10x as much but you would get a smoother ride with a 225/70/15, you outsmarted me again
Or maybe a Michelin Pilot compared to the same size Continental Contipro Contact tire would be better to compare since they are the same size
Or maybe a Michelin Pilot compared to the same size Continental Contipro Contact tire would be better to compare since they are the same size
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
The difference was just incredible, I would never have thought a set of shocks would make such a difference. Had a big smile on my face after the first test drive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 971
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I am not sure they had the Sports when I bought mine, but I know I wanted a smoother ride as the KYB's were rattling the fillings out of my teeth. I bought them from Van Steel and maybe they steered me to the HD's because they weren't as stiff as the sports.
The difference was just incredible, I would never have thought a set of shocks would make such a difference. Had a big smile on my face after the first test drive.
The difference was just incredible, I would never have thought a set of shocks would make such a difference. Had a big smile on my face after the first test drive.
Hope that helps!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
I just pulled my front suspension apart and I took out some Monroe Sensatrac shocks. They are still in great shape and I think I may reuse them for now but put in Bilstiens later.
These Monroes have oil in them, I don't think I've ever seen a replacement shock that wasn't gas filled.
These Monroes have oil in them, I don't think I've ever seen a replacement shock that wasn't gas filled.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Yea, I usually win with logic and well laid out comprehensive plan with a managed inventory thought process.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Back in 2005, I replaced all four shocks with KYB (rear) and KYB GR2 (front). Not sure about my reasoning on the mix; perhaps pricing. The Gabriels that were on the car came with it in 1997. I had replaced the front tires shortly before due to severe cupping and felt the shocks deserved some attention. The alignment and condition of the front suspension were fine (all-new components in 1997 and no visible signs of wear or slop). Since then, the car has ridden fine and no more vibrations or cupping of the front tires. After nearly 8 years and fewer than 5,000 miles the tread still looks nearly new.
I would probably install Monroe Sensatrack or Gabriel if I had it to do again. I got way more out of those Gabriels than was intended given I had logged nearly 32k miles and PO probably put another 40K on them.
I would probably install Monroe Sensatrack or Gabriel if I had it to do again. I got way more out of those Gabriels than was intended given I had logged nearly 32k miles and PO probably put another 40K on them.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Being as Florida is nothing but a sandbar, and the roads full of potholes and patches, the car with KYB and Bilstine actually drives about the same, slightly rougher with the KYB.....
BUT upon recommendations from here some years ago, I upgraded to Bilstein....prime reason is the bridges here tend to have undulations in them so I was being dribbled like a basketball over them at speeds from 60-80+ mph, which is typical speeds here, I have VBP 360 plastic in rear, and 460 coils in front.....
the Bilsteins cured that basketball bounce and I can cruise almost any speed now without feeling like a Harlem Globetrotter......or rather the BALL.......and yes they are better around town too, I have owned this '72 shark vert for almost 18 years now, first 10-12 years with the KYB and since then the Bilsteins.....
OH, forget to mention.....255/50/17 in front 275/50/17 in rear, which are NLA '-(( all mounted on '89 vette rims with wheel adapters.....
BUT upon recommendations from here some years ago, I upgraded to Bilstein....prime reason is the bridges here tend to have undulations in them so I was being dribbled like a basketball over them at speeds from 60-80+ mph, which is typical speeds here, I have VBP 360 plastic in rear, and 460 coils in front.....
the Bilsteins cured that basketball bounce and I can cruise almost any speed now without feeling like a Harlem Globetrotter......or rather the BALL.......and yes they are better around town too, I have owned this '72 shark vert for almost 18 years now, first 10-12 years with the KYB and since then the Bilsteins.....
OH, forget to mention.....255/50/17 in front 275/50/17 in rear, which are NLA '-(( all mounted on '89 vette rims with wheel adapters.....