Hello. Rebuilding the front end of a 79 soon. Just a stock rebuild with poly bushings and balljoints. Also getting new Moog springs. Was wondering which would be the better shocks. Monroe sensa trac or KYB gas a just???

 

Bilsteins are the top of the line shock @ about $75 each monroes im guessing half price.
I guess its how much do you want to spend?

I rebuilt my car with rubber bushings and Bilstein shocks I don't know why people choose Poly bushings? The rubber bushings on my 72 lasted 40 years.

 

I rebuilt my 78 front end several years ago with upper and lower poly control bushings and they are fantastic. The problem with C3 suspensions generally is there is too much unwanted suspension movement front and rear. The recirculating ball steering by its nature is "loose" feeling and the C3 frame is notorious for frame flex. Anything you can do to eliminate unwanted suspension flex is a big benefit. I noticed little degradation in the ride with the poly bushings but a big improvement in steering response, tightness of the front suspension, and handling. Every C3 should have a front spreader bar between the front shock towers to further tighten the frame. Poly will last longer than rubber but that is not why I switched.

As for the shock, I have had Delcos, Koni oils, KYB Gas A Just, and Bilsteins currently over 35 years-Bilstein are FAR superior to the others. I would go with KYB's for the best of the mass market shocks- a good mono tube gas shock. Not a fan of any of the other mass market shocks for a C3 although I do use Monroe Sensa a Trac on my 2001 Grand Prix BUT the Police Package Struts and Springs from a 2001 Impala Police.

Hope that helps..!

 

I have KYB gas adjust on an 80 and Bilstein sports on my 74. Both have the 7 leaf rear springs. The KYB gives a smoother ride. I feel the Bilsteins feel stiffer in the corners,but jar you a lot more on tne bumps. I think it should fit your terrain and drive expectations.

Ray

 

I went with KYB Gas Adjust, I just can't afford Bilstiens. One of the guys in our car club had some training on KYB's, he said the quality control is tight on them

 

funny how this has become bilstiens vs kyb.never had kyb's but i am running monroe senseatrac's in the rear with edelbrock's in the front and i am very happy with the ride and handling.

 

Been running KYbs for almost 20 yrs.
They are not a "smart" shock like say an Edelbrock but youll never have to replace a KYB. They ride a little on the firm side which is fine with me .
For the money cant go wrong.

 

The problem with evaluating different shocks is that unless you have had different brands on the same vehicle over time and miles, just about any shock will be "good". Mass market aftermarket shocks will all ride "good"-if "good" means cushy and soft.If that is the criteria you use for selecting shocks, then the cheaper mass market will be your ticket. I prefer KYB's if I were to use mass market shocks and used them 25 years ago on the 78 as well as other cars.

If you are interested in real performance, ride, steering response and handling over the stock shocks then the list narrows quickly to basically: Bilstein, Koni, QA1, and a couple of others.

The reason that Bilsteins dominate shock discussions is that they are that good…period, for the money. They have a firm, not harsh, ride (especially the Heavy Duties- I use Sports in the rear of the 78) with excellent steering response, and enhanced handling. I now have Bilstein Sports (rears, Fronts are HD's) on the my 78 L-82, Chrysler 300 (Heavy Duty's), 94 Mustang GT Convertible (HD's), and just Friday installed Doug Rippie Motor Sports specially valved Bilstein Sports on my 2010 Z06. Here is what I said yesterday on the Z06 forum about the DRM Bilstein Sports:

"Ok. Took out the Z for a test ride today and as expected the DRM (Doug Rippie Motorsports) Bilstein Sports are TERRIFIC. The ride is still firm but much more forgiving, the handling and steering response is better, wheel hop is greatly reduced, and the ride over rough roads is much improved. I am quite impressed…the rear end feels solidly planted now.
Worth every dollar and the sweat equity to install them myself. The hardest riding car I have is no longer the Z06 but goes to the 2012 Lexus IS 350 F Sport which is noticeably harder riding now…My stock Declo shocks had 3,000 miles on them and if you own a Z06 get the DRM Bilstein Sports….you will not be disappointed!"

Every car I have put Bilsteins on have been transformed by these Shocks/Struts.

 

JFYI..I just installed a set of Bilsteins on my 78 and have a complete set of KYB's with less than 1,500 miles on them for sale...

Not sure what exact type of KYB's they are but I can always send you a photo if you might be interested in them..

mk's78

Mike

Pemail address is mkane25@verizon.net

 

Just make sure they are Gas Adjust, I've heard anything else isn't worth it.

I put the KYB's on my '74. Very happy with the ride, feels tight but not rock hard. I would very much recommend the KYB's, especially since you can buy them on RockAuto for pretty cheap ($34 plus shipping)

 

KYB Gas A Just are what I had and liked them but they were too bouncy for a rear mono spring, great with the steel spring.

Supposedly, there are a few vendors that sell KYB Gr-2's that are specially valved for the rear mono spring but my experience with the GR-2's on my 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, not on my 78 C3, was very disappointing. I had the GR-2's on the 2001 GP for about 70,000 miles and found them to be softer and offered less road control than the stock Delco struts. I removed the GR-2's about 35,000 miles ago for Monroe Sensa A Trac struts/springs (quick Struts) for 2001 Police Impala and Police Struts/springs ride great and handle like, well, a police impala….

 

anything is better than a worn out shock

 

In my opinion, Monroe are a really good stock replace ment, I haven't used kyb but went with bilstiens and what a difference and if the kyb's are anything like the bilstiens it would be well worth while.

DO MA NEU!

 

Make no mistake, KYB's are NOT Bilsteins but they are a good mass market replacement shock-I have had both….

 

I have the gray KYB gas shocks all around on my 1980 and also find that they are too soft and bouncy for my TRW 340lb rear mono leaf spring. I will be changing over to Bilsteins sometime in the future.

 

KYB's used to be White for Gas A Just monotubes and dark gray for GR-2's.The Gas A Just are considered the performance shock and GR-2's are the mass market passenger car shock.

 

I've had both GR-2's and Gas Adjusts on my 72, the GR-2's were much softer, and replaced them with the GA's after about a year. The difference was significant. And yes, the GA's are white, and the GR-2's were grey.

There is a huge difference between the GA's and the GR-2's. Whenever people mention KYB's in the shock discussions, I find it a disservice if they don't mention what brand of KYB's they are using. The GR-2's I would consider stock replacements, and the GA's are a poor man's performance shock.

 

 

1972 350, I had the KYB and went to Monroe Sensa a Trac , smother ride. Car is all stock. Never really pushed. And the other half likes it better. A little gray paint and they look stock.

If I remember right the front is for handling and the rear is for the ride.

On my 85 I have the KYB'S it's more of a track ride, which is what the car was set up for. 383 + 6spd lowered, 315's in rear, etc...