KYB Shock Experience
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
"For real world, non-track event roads would you use KYB's over Konis or Bilsteins?"
I don't think so. Just my personal preference. Have had prior KYBs and wasn't impressed. But am impressed that so many C4ers like them!
I don't think so. Just my personal preference. Have had prior KYBs and wasn't impressed. But am impressed that so many C4ers like them!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
I have no idea what a new set of blisteins feel like but I can say that the KYB's made a huge differnce over the old worn out stokers. I think they are a great shock for everyday driving and will be what I replace them with if I ever have to do it again. I give the KYB's 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Have KYB's on the 89; have nothing but good things to say-Nice and firm, handles like its on rails yet not a bonejarring ride;
Have Bilstein's on the '90 that need (the rears)to be rebuilt-can't really comment on them til its fixed. Hope they ride nice and firm like the89 does, the rearend wallows a bit and feels mushy
Have Bilstein's on the '90 that need (the rears)to be rebuilt-can't really comment on them til its fixed. Hope they ride nice and firm like the89 does, the rearend wallows a bit and feels mushy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Originally Posted by FD2BLK
I have no idea what a new set of blisteins feel like but I can say that the KYB's made a huge differnce over the old worn out stokers. I think they are a great shock for everyday driving and will be what I replace them with if I ever have to do it again. I give the KYB's
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Oceansaide CA
KYBs over bilsteins, no. But if you figure in price and stuff - that's exactly what I did. They were leaps and bounds better then my old worn Bilsteins, and work damn well for $20 soemthing a piece
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by ClarenceT
KYBs over bilsteins, no. But if you figure in price and stuff - that's exactly what I did. They were leaps and bounds better then my old worn Bilsteins, and work damn well for $20 soemthing a piece
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I ran KYB's for about 20K or so, they were alright. But I did eventually replace them with OEM Bilsteins. They are a tad softer but otherwise pretty good. When you tires wear down to the last few thousand miles and your into the hard rubber, the Bilsteins seem much harder or stiffer but you've just lost that soft rubber of the new tire. I'm at that point now, in a couple weeks its time for new F1's and these tires now are real hard on bumps, road reflectors, etc. So I'm obstacle driving now. I notice you pickup a lot more vibrations and senses from the tires in the stiff suspension when they get worn.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,397
Likes: 22
From: Rockledge Florida
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '14, '24
I replaced the Bilsteins on my 86 coupe (25k original miles) with
KYB's, and found a vast improvement. But this is only on street
and highway driving, much softer ride. When driving on curvy
country road I think the Bilsteins where better. Since most of my driving is highway I will have to give the KYB's a
KYB's, and found a vast improvement. But this is only on street
and highway driving, much softer ride. When driving on curvy
country road I think the Bilsteins where better. Since most of my driving is highway I will have to give the KYB's a
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
I haven't logged 1000 miles yet on my new KYBs, but I can say I have no complants and the car handles better than it ever did. I should also note I was replacing my darn near 20 year old shocks. Bottom line I'm happy with the KYBs
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 6
From: Newport Beach, Southern California
My Bilsteins started to leak profusely at 29K miles....Coming back from Vegas on my old (29K miles) Bilsteins i realised how bad they were.
Front end started to vibrate resulting in cupping of my front tires.
Bought KYB`s and replaced the POS stockers and VOALA problem went away.
I strongly reccomend KYB`s over the stock bilsteins!!!
Front end started to vibrate resulting in cupping of my front tires.
Bought KYB`s and replaced the POS stockers and VOALA problem went away.
I strongly reccomend KYB`s over the stock bilsteins!!!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 0
From: Oceansaide CA
Originally Posted by LT4CompYell
OMG!!! Did you steal them? I've never heard of anything that cheap!
Haha yup, some poor sap left his vette out all night
No seriously though, check Summit Racing. That's where I got mine - it was $120 something after tax, shipped - for 4 shocks, and I got a free hat out of the deal. Well, I'm sure I paid for it, but I got a hat nevertheless
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
KYB makes two versions for the Fiero, the GR-2 and the Gas-a-just. GR-2s are meant for the base coupe, Gas-a-justs are meant for the GT models. Most people don't even know that both are available, and unwittingly put the GR-2's on the GTs due to their low cost and wide availability. They promptly find out they SUCK in that application, and badmouth them. I've used both on my Fiero GTs and the Gas-a-just is damn good, but I haven't tried them on the Vettes yet. I definitely will when the time comes as I'm not about to drop a grand for F45's that don't even do anything.
Dave
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Originally Posted by ClarenceT
Haha yup, some poor sap left his vette out all night
No seriously though, check Summit Racing. That's where I got mine - it was $120 something after tax, shipped - for 4 shocks, and I got a free hat out of the deal. Well, I'm sure I paid for it, but I got a hat nevertheless
No seriously though, check Summit Racing. That's where I got mine - it was $120 something after tax, shipped - for 4 shocks, and I got a free hat out of the deal. Well, I'm sure I paid for it, but I got a hat nevertheless
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 671
Likes: 1
From: WATERFORD CT
Ive got some new KYBS last week but have only put the fronts on yet.So far I can say that that they are stiffer than the TPIS fronts that I took off but ride smoother and take bumps much better(dont bother with TPIS)The KYBS seem about a 1/2 inch or so longer than the TPIS and a old set Bilsteins I compared them to so the Kybs will raise the car about a half inch.Ill repost when I install the rears.