shock absorbers
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 56
From: Milan Indiana
shock absorbers
Looking for an opinion on using KYB shocks as replacements for my 92 coupe instead of going back to Billsteins. Not FX3. Fronts need replacing and I have access to the KYB for a great price. Never used them before in a Corvette. Car is nowhere near stock and rides a bit hard as it sits and just looking for a smoother ride. Thanks for any opinions
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have them on my '96 and they work fine. They give a little softer ride than the Biltein and I doubt they will last as long, but the car drives and handles fine.
That being said, I prefer the Bilsteins. My first choice is the Z51 (B8) since I like a firmer ride that is still not harsh.
For the money, the KYB is a valid choice.
Good luck.
PS. If you get the KYB's, make sure the top nut is a lock nut. The hardware that was on mine was not locking and backed off about 1/2 inch. That allowed undamped movement and a loud noise on every bump. (for me it was great bargaining chip on the car purchase price and it cost nothing to fix) In addition to my car, I have read other reports of the KYB non lock nut coming loose, so it should be looked at before you mount any shock and have to do it over again.
That being said, I prefer the Bilsteins. My first choice is the Z51 (B8) since I like a firmer ride that is still not harsh.
For the money, the KYB is a valid choice.
Good luck.
PS. If you get the KYB's, make sure the top nut is a lock nut. The hardware that was on mine was not locking and backed off about 1/2 inch. That allowed undamped movement and a loud noise on every bump. (for me it was great bargaining chip on the car purchase price and it cost nothing to fix) In addition to my car, I have read other reports of the KYB non lock nut coming loose, so it should be looked at before you mount any shock and have to do it over again.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 56
From: Milan Indiana
shocks
My car is set up to race but I dont plan to do so. its 383 with Stage VI supercharger over 700hp so may be a little heavier on the nose but I just want a smoother ride and fewer squeaks!!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
I have them on my 89 and they do ride softer then the Bilsteins that were on it when I got it... On a race car I would use the Bilsteins. You will get a softer ride, but you will still have squeaks, because it's a C4...
.WW.
.
Last edited by WW7; Dec 21, 2017 at 11:01 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I am glad Cjunkie posted the pictures.
I learned something from them. The rear top shock mount is different between early and late C4's. I was used to the late style which has a top stud similar to the fronts, while the early has a horizontal ring that a bolt goes through.
It is probably just trivia as either mount should work fine. I think I like the early version better because it has fewer parts. (the late has an adapter that is bolted to the car and the shock is bolted to that adapter).
Learn something new every day.
I learned something from them. The rear top shock mount is different between early and late C4's. I was used to the late style which has a top stud similar to the fronts, while the early has a horizontal ring that a bolt goes through.
It is probably just trivia as either mount should work fine. I think I like the early version better because it has fewer parts. (the late has an adapter that is bolted to the car and the shock is bolted to that adapter).
Learn something new every day.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,430
Likes: 3,279
From: Hartford WI
Looking for an opinion on using KYB shocks as replacements for my 92 coupe instead of going back to Billsteins. Not FX3. Fronts need replacing and I have access to the KYB for a great price. Never used them before in a Corvette. Car is nowhere near stock and rides a bit hard as it sits and just looking for a smoother ride. Thanks for any opinions
What is the warranty on the KYB?
Last edited by aklim; Dec 20, 2017 at 10:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 56
From: Milan Indiana
shocks
Haven't decided long term yet.Enjoy driving the car but its a handful. Wouldn't be a long trip car- just enjoying running around Indiana's back roads and running interstates to see what it will do. Your advice is correct Long term I would use the Billsteins but got such a good deal on the KYB I figured to go that route for now and its a simple replacement process. If I sold the car,it would have to be to someone who has interest in a very modded car anyway. Not sure about warranty on KYB and I am buying privately anyhow. Thanks for the input
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 1,487
From: Ashland, OH
I am glad Cjunkie posted the pictures.
I learned something from them. The rear top shock mount is different between early and late C4's. I was used to the late style which has a top stud similar to the fronts, while the early has a horizontal ring that a bolt goes through.
It is probably just trivia as either mount should work fine. I think I like the early version better because it has fewer parts. (the late has an adapter that is bolted to the car and the shock is bolted to that adapter).
Learn something new every day.
I learned something from them. The rear top shock mount is different between early and late C4's. I was used to the late style which has a top stud similar to the fronts, while the early has a horizontal ring that a bolt goes through.
It is probably just trivia as either mount should work fine. I think I like the early version better because it has fewer parts. (the late has an adapter that is bolted to the car and the shock is bolted to that adapter).
Learn something new every day.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 22
From: Knoxville Tn
I had a budget with more things to do than money when I got my 93 three years ago. I wanted Bilsteins. The rears were original Delco-Bilsteins and the fronts were Gabriel. The car floated down the road. I got Monroes with a rebate from Rockauto.. They are fine for driving around town, but I really am looking at getting Bilsteins in the Spring.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 49
Likes: 3
From: Lima Ohio
pnewt...I just put the KYB's on my 88 and have driven about 500 miles on them and I am very happy with the ride quality. Non-racing just around town and short trips involved. After I put them on myself in the garage with jack stands and floor jack with no air tools, a local mechanic said he would have put them on for $100, wish I knew that before I started the job. Not brain surgery but it ain't easy either. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I can't say that I have experience with KYB shock absorbers - but I have installed KYB struts (on a Daily Driver), and let's just say that I don't plan to go through all the work to do struts and to go cheap ever again...
Now - from what some pros have told me - KYB does make multiple "lines" of dampers, so maybe I got the bottom of the line stuff - but I'm NOT impressed with the reliability of KYB !!!
Now - from what some pros have told me - KYB does make multiple "lines" of dampers, so maybe I got the bottom of the line stuff - but I'm NOT impressed with the reliability of KYB !!!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,430
Likes: 3,279
From: Hartford WI
I can't say that I have experience with KYB shock absorbers - but I have installed KYB struts (on a Daily Driver), and let's just say that I don't plan to go through all the work to do struts and to go cheap ever again...
Now - from what some pros have told me - KYB does make multiple "lines" of dampers, so maybe I got the bottom of the line stuff - but I'm NOT impressed with the reliability of KYB !!!
Now - from what some pros have told me - KYB does make multiple "lines" of dampers, so maybe I got the bottom of the line stuff - but I'm NOT impressed with the reliability of KYB !!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I chose them because the application I was using them on was apparently not very popular - and I didn't have many options, (and of course - I was younger and had less $$$$ to spend). The KYB's were the only option I could afford....
I tried them again about a decade ago - threw a set on my mothers car and had a similar experience - a few years after I installed them - the damping level seemed to diminish - significantly.
I tried them again about a decade ago - threw a set on my mothers car and had a similar experience - a few years after I installed them - the damping level seemed to diminish - significantly.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,430
Likes: 3,279
From: Hartford WI
I chose them because the application I was using them on was apparently not very popular - and I didn't have many options, (and of course - I was younger and had less $$$$ to spend). The KYB's were the only option I could afford....
I tried them again about a decade ago - threw a set on my mothers car and had a similar experience - a few years after I installed them - the damping level seemed to diminish - significantly.
I tried them again about a decade ago - threw a set on my mothers car and had a similar experience - a few years after I installed them - the damping level seemed to diminish - significantly.
