dethklok81

peoples opinions on

KYB shocks and struts

or

Monroe Sensatracs?


they'd be going into my 88 Trans Am...

RS305

i dont know much about these third gens ( i just got mine), but i do know that mine needs struts too. the front is riding way too low and it scrapes wherever i go. im glad to see a thread about this, because i could use some suggestions as well

dethklok81

alot of people recommended KYB GR-2's for my 3rd gen...
so i picked up a set...
i have yet to try them out..
need them installed
not pulling the car out of storage until april...
hopefully they'll do the trick!

Tranny

Both are great or best for everyday driveing and giving your car manners. Not if your going to be road racing or drag racing (no adjustibilty). Their the best of the lower level shocks.

chevyowner02

iTrader: (3)

Out of thoes 2 choices KYB.I have them they work well but don't expect to much out of them.

Lucid

iTrader: (4)

Dont waste your money on Monroe shocks, you will be disappointed.

If you can afford them get the GR2s in the front and get the Gas-a-just for the rear. The gas-a-justs are much stiffer and stiffens it up nicely.

KYB's are the best aftermarket shocks for the price, they are a really good deal. The gas charge in the Monroe's are a joke. They compress way too easily and are valved for commuter cars.

When you get the struts in press them upside down into the concrete and then press a set of stock type struts in and you will notice the difference. The rear shocks were so stiff that i needed a small jack to compress them enough to install the bolt.

All this plus lifetime warranty, not a bad deal at all.

Only 10% of people actually adjust their own shocks so that argument really doesnt mean anything unless you road race or drag race constantly and need to adjust your car to a specific track.

zracTA

honestly I prefered the Monroes :shrug:

flaming-ford

iTrader: (7)

If you can afford them get the GR2s in the front and get the Gas-a-just for the rear. The gas-a-justs are much stiffer and stiffens it up nicely.

KYB's are the best aftermarket shocks for the price, they are a really good deal. The gas charge in the Monroe's are a joke. They compress way too easily and are valved for commuter cars.

When you get the struts in press them upside down into the concrete and then press a set of stock type struts in and you will notice the difference. The rear shocks were so stiff that i needed a small jack to compress them enough to install the bolt.

well i got them for my old rs i think they are a complete joke, made no difference at all over 143k mile wornout completely stock stuff except for bump steer and they were still to soft. I have kyb gr2s in the front of my 89 currently and gas adjusts in there rear, no complaints but, it seems they are to soft for my liking and most people seem to agree gr2s wear out quite easily, i know my left front in my current car is already leaking. I'd suggest bilstein tokico or best of all would be koni yellows. If you can't afoford them then yah go kyb g2 as its life time warranty suppose.


Only 10% of people actually adjust their own shocks so that argument really doesnt mean anything unless you road race or drag race constantly and need to adjust your car to a specific track.

Lucid

iTrader: (4)

You are probably asking a lot from a set of shocks when your are comparing your stock RS suspension to something else. Your stock RS springs are probably worn out and you might want to consider replacing them or getting a new set.

My stock Z28 springs were pretty worn out when i replaced the struts so i swapped in a new set of IROC springs. There is a world of difference between a worn out set of stock RS springs and a new set of Z28 or IROC springs.

The springs cushion and dampen suspension travel and vibrations, but it is the spring that does most of the work in these cars. Even a car with good springs and a set of Monroes would feel better than a car with sloppy springs.

The constant compression and extension of the spring during its lifetime actually causes a spring to loose its ability to compress, and after 140K...well you get the picture.

You didnt mention what engine size you have so i am going to assume they are stock RS V8 or V6 springs. If you compare that car to the IROC you have in your signature, of course they are going to feel wimpy. Just press down on the front end by the tire and see if you can make strut compress on your IROC and you will see what i mean.

flaming-ford

iTrader: (7)

[QUOTE=Lucid;3592150]You are probably asking a lot from a set of shocks when your are comparing your stock RS suspension to something else. Your stock RS springs are probably worn out and you might want to consider replacing them or getting a new set.

My stock Z28 springs were pretty worn out when i replaced the struts so i swapped in a new set of IROC springs. There is a world of difference between a worn out set of stock RS springs and a new set of Z28 or IROC springs.

my complaint was never about the springs, i meant the new gr2s had whimpy valving installed imo. My rs's suspension was fully refinished other than bushings and rearend peices it out handled my iroc 20xs over again. and springs felt stiffer to. Then again the iroc currently has 200k on the body.

The springs cushion and dampen suspension travel and vibrations, but it is the spring that does most of the work in these cars. Even a car with good springs and a set of Monroes would feel better than a car with sloppy springs.

no doubt there i agree but, i was commenting on struts not worn out springs... To me they compress way to easy and there valving is much to slow but, thats my opinion. Never ran sensatracks so i dont know about them....


You didnt mention what engine size you have so i am going to assume they are stock RS V8 or V6 springs. If you compare that car to the IROC you have in your signature, of course they are going to feel wimpy. Just press down on the front end by the tire and see if you can make strut compress on your IROC and you will see what i mean.

both cars were 305 v8 cars and both felt cheap, slow, and easily wore. i feel it was a waste of money to replace them on both cars but, again thats just my opinion.

I chose not to heed the suggestions of others on this forum when they said the difference between a 500-1000 dampening package as compares to a 150 package. Safe to say i'll replace with higher quality next time, live and learn.

dont get me wrong for the price kyb's do seem like a quite viable option along with the life time warranty cant beat that but, i'm just saying imo they were never meant to be put near a true handleing car.

chaoz28

yah know.. these shocks are not made for third gen exactly... i do believe they are a multi fit shock.. but EDELBROCK PERFORMER IAS i have them on my camaro and plan on them for my trans am when its finished... they ride amazing on the street and they take the often thrash of a race (i am big into my cities street racing scene) ive had them on my camaro for 8 months and it still feels like when i got them. the ones i got are 2 way ajustable 2 inches so if ride hight is an issue these work fine

Lucid

iTrader: (4)

KYB VS. Monroe

lol