kyb vs bilstein
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 36
From: Crystal Springs MS
KYB tends to ride a little rough/choppy, but works fine for lots of folks...find the Bilsteins that match your suspension package. You'll pay more but the handling will make you smile.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: se iowa
I recently installed the KYB's on my car and I am happy with them. I've never bought new bilstein's so I cannot provide a direct comaprison. It was my thought after looking around that the bilstein's were a superior shock that was quite a bit more money.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
KYB's ae a stiffer shock with a little more control till you get down and dirty. When you are throwing your car around corners close to the limits, The Bilsteins seem to offer a little bit more
control because you are not bouncing into the corner as much.
Just my 2c
control because you are not bouncing into the corner as much.
Just my 2c
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
I use kyb shocks because This is a weekend car and I never intend to race the vette. It rides slightly softer then the Bilsteins. Bilsteins are a better shock but for my needs I went with kyb. I have them in for 3 years and so far they seem ok. I do not put on much miles because I use it on weekends only. If you want performance then go with Billsteins
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 4
From: Argillite KY
This almost needs a poll. I'm wanting new shocks and have always been partial to Bilstein's. I would like a little softer ride though. The previous owner put on some generic black shocks and I want them gone.I ordered new ones for my 1989 truck about a year ago. The original Bilsteins (Z71 option) had 175,000 miles on them and I though they were probably gone. When I changed the shocks (preventive maintenance)the new ones and the old ones felt the same. They were not worn out. I gave the old ones to my brother-in-law and he's quite happy with them.
I can't think of any other shock that can last that long.
I can't think of any other shock that can last that long.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 36
From: Crystal Springs MS
If it's just an in-town car/part time cruiser that'll never be flung into a corner with gusto, just put some $30 Monroe shocks on it...they're on my wife's car and she loves the way it "rides". Please notice I didn't use the word "handle" in this paragraph.
Handling is a subjective issue...what do you want to do with the vehicle??
Handling is a subjective issue...what do you want to do with the vehicle??
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Shocks dampen the springs. Wanna softer ride, swap the springs.
If not, buy your Momma's Buick. No poll required.
Neither can I.
If not, buy your Momma's Buick. No poll required.
The original Bilsteins (Z71 option) had 175,000 miles on them and I though they were probably gone. When I changed the shocks (preventive maintenance)the new ones and the old ones felt the same. They were not worn out. I gave the old ones to my brother-in-law and he's quite happy with them. I can't think of any other shock that can last that long.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Sep 5, 2011 at 06:59 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
The Bilsteins are a much more complicated shock...
They have progressive dampening that allows the 1st inch to be soft then get stiffer as the shock travels. This gives the best of both worlds effect. They have a floating dampner that moves with the shock. They can be build and set up ANY way that you desire...for a soft sweet ride or hard and fast rebound to match a Z51 '84 spring thats super fast and very hard. The variable hyd valving makes a world of difference and they can make that valving custom to fit your needs. Rebuilding cost about as much as new purchase.
The KYB are the economy 2nd choice.. They are stiff all the way thru, not variable, and they will not last as long and they are disposables. Not rebuildable.
There are other options, but if performance like Bilstein is required the available clones from edelbrock or the other brand names are just as expensive and usually not as versatile.
They have progressive dampening that allows the 1st inch to be soft then get stiffer as the shock travels. This gives the best of both worlds effect. They have a floating dampner that moves with the shock. They can be build and set up ANY way that you desire...for a soft sweet ride or hard and fast rebound to match a Z51 '84 spring thats super fast and very hard. The variable hyd valving makes a world of difference and they can make that valving custom to fit your needs. Rebuilding cost about as much as new purchase.
The KYB are the economy 2nd choice.. They are stiff all the way thru, not variable, and they will not last as long and they are disposables. Not rebuildable.
There are other options, but if performance like Bilstein is required the available clones from edelbrock or the other brand names are just as expensive and usually not as versatile.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Ive use Bilsteins on all my Vettes but, in my 96 with QA1 Coilovers.
I had base Bilsteins in my 95 and I switched to HD and it was a noticeable experience.
I had base Bilsteins in my 95 and I switched to HD and it was a noticeable experience.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Lindenhurst NY
I just put in the Kyb’s I gota say they > then 16 year old bilsteins. Now I don’t fear bumps in the road anymore. I got the whole set for 109 bucks with an email coupon and free shipping, so far it’s the best 109 dollars I spent. 
Are you saying i should save my origional bilsteins and have them rebuild?
The Bilsteins are a much more complicated shock...
They have progressive dampening that allows the 1st inch to be soft then get stiffer as the shock travels. This gives the best of both worlds effect. They have a floating dampner that moves with the shock. They can be build and set up ANY way that you desire...for a soft sweet ride or hard and fast rebound to match a Z51 '84 spring thats super fast and very hard. The variable hyd valving makes a world of difference and they can make that valving custom to fit your needs. Rebuilding cost about as much as new purchase. .
They have progressive dampening that allows the 1st inch to be soft then get stiffer as the shock travels. This gives the best of both worlds effect. They have a floating dampner that moves with the shock. They can be build and set up ANY way that you desire...for a soft sweet ride or hard and fast rebound to match a Z51 '84 spring thats super fast and very hard. The variable hyd valving makes a world of difference and they can make that valving custom to fit your needs. Rebuilding cost about as much as new purchase. .
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
well I drive my car regularly, not just on the weekends and handling is very important to me cause I put my foot in it! I read the retail info on both shocks as far as being both gas shocks. I am posing the question to members to get real world opinion not just advertisement quotes. other users opinions give me a real experience to decide from. I like the idea of coilovers, especially for lowering the car and stiffer ride, but on the street the ride would be too harsh and the drop too low for practicallity. Also this system is more expensive than I can afford right now.
