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Howdy Everyone,
So I have scowered many many threads on TGO and other forums looking for people's experiences with shocks and struts. I think I have narrowed the selection down to a few, primarily based on cost, below are my considerations...
REAR SHOCKS:
KYB. GR-2(343211)
KYB. AGX ADJUSTABLE (743019)
LAKEWOOD. (40301)
FRONT STRUTS
KYB. GR-2(236001)
KYB. AGX ADJUSTABLE (735001)
LAKEWOOD. (40500) distribution 70/30
LAKEWOOD. (40510) distribution 90/10
Here is why I'm posting this millionth thread about shocks/struts...I need to know if I want my 85 IROC to ride like a Cadillac what would be the best set-up. Yes I understand my car will never have that ride and feel, but I know I can get better than the used OEM equipment. I would like to know if I buy the KYB AGX Adustables and set them on the softest setting how much better will they be compared to the GR-2? I am including the Lakewood part numbers because I know they have been around for quite awhile and are reputable, so if you have used them please post your thoughts. Please note I will only put 3000-5000 miles per year only to car shows. Not auto cross not drag strip racing just babying it, but if I can get the same or better performance from the GR-2 compared to the AGX then I would rather spend the money on subframe connectors.
Thanks everyone for trying to help this newbie out and learn a thing or two
Stock as far as I know, the car does sit a little low, but that may because the springs are 30 years old....I am thinking of ordering new springs but have not decided on MOOG stock replacements or an aftermarket lowering. Do I need to know this before buying the new struts/shocks?
I had GR2s. Seemed just like a stock replacement to me. You want softer springs if you want a softer ride, but it will never be caddy soft. Generally, lowering springs are stiffer to prevent bottoming out.
Yup SFC are on the list for sure, and I understand it will never ride like a Cadillac, but how do find out the same spring height with a lower spring weight, the MOOG site I went to was not very informative....
I have Eibach Pro kit (1") lowering springs on my car. They are a little more harsh but I expected that. But with the sfcs and those springs on mine the car handles much better. But, like I said the ride is a little more harsh.
It's hard to manipulate spring rates with shocks. I think you'd be better off choosing the correct spring rates for the ride you are trying to achieve then match a set of shocks to the springs.
Thanks everyone for the response. I have decided I want stock ride height, with stock spring rate. The problem with that is I seem to get conflicting data from different sources.
Can someone please confirm what the stock spring height, spring rate and possibly correct part number for the MOOG springs are? Now that ride height and springs have been established, what shocks/struts are going to get me as close to a Caddilac ride as possible? I still can not get anyone to confirm if the GR-2 will be more softer/smoother that the AGX Adustables on the softest setting.
Thanks everyone for helping this newbie out with this....
For your situation, I would recommend the GR-2 struts/shocks and Moog 5662 front springs and Moog 5665 rear springs.
I don't see the point in replacing 30 year old stock springs that are 1" shorter than they were stock, with new lowering springs that are 1" shorter than stock. The car is going to look the same......Hence, why I say go with the stock height Moog springs listed above.
If you want a Cadillac ride, lowering springs will not help. Now when it comes to struts/shocks, I generally say that Konis are the best bet. The best handling setup for the street. And worth every penny of their expensive price. But since you say this is a summer only car for cruising to car shows, I would recommend saving your money and going with the GR-2 choice instead.
Your only real choice for your setup is going to be the Moog 5665 (constant rate) rear springs or the Moog CC-635 (variable rate) rear springs. With the 5665, you will have a "very" slight rake look to the rear of the car. The CC-635 are a touch bit taller. But we're talking maybe half an inch to three quarters of an inch. The CC-635 are a bit softer in feel.
My car height after new springs was in the range of 27.0-27.5" in front and around 28.5" in the rear. But there is no standard height for our cars. Different tires are different heights despite being the same size tire. IROC weight vs GTA weight. A/C vs no A/C. These heights are measuring from ground through the center of the wheel to the body of the car.
Thanks Reid for you words of wisdom!! I do believe I am on the right track with the Gas-a-Just or the G2. I need to count my coils and compare that to the MOOG. The thing of it is, the car does not "bounce" it is very solid, and I am wondering if the white bushing are POLY or are POLY bushings red?
Just as Ried Fleming suggested.
"For your situation, I would recommend the GR-2 struts/shocks and Moog 5662 front springs and Moog 5665 rear springs."
This seems to be a very common "stock" replacement combination here.
(Although the MOOG CC-635 do complicate the decision a little).
I'm not sure what's up front, could be stock but still work and sit where I want them.
I went with the MOOG 5665 rear springs and I wanted a little stiffer ride so I'm using the KYB "Gas A Just" shocks . Works and sits just as I wanted.
Here's a few videos to watch on KYBs site. Check them out, and they answer a lot of questions some have about shocks and there products.
Look at there video library = http://www.kyb.com/
Last edited by Ron U.S.M.C.; 05-23-2016 at 11:48 PM.
So just what is the spring rate for an IROC with a 305 and air conditioning? As you can see below these are both very different rates and slightly different installed heights. Rock Auto has them both listed for my car with air condition, but the 5662 is rate "HEAVY DUTY" and I seen that failure on my father in laws 69 Camaro when he switched to a 350, damn thing looked like a gasser!!!
If you are looking for a smooth ride you might want want to try out the 5608 or 5610.
They ride very smooth over harsh surfaces.
Those are z28 springs so they will sit around a 1/2" higher than iroc springs if you don't trim them.
Well maybe I just start with swapping the shocks/struts first and see how I like it, then maybe springs if I am still not happy. I have recently read a few post on other forums how the AGX are not for comfort, but more for autocross and fine-tuning each corner. So can anyone confirm if the AGX on the softest setting is smoother than the GR-2??? Mind you they can not be so squishy that they hit the bump stops on the smoothest of roads.
Please note I will only put 3000-5000 miles per year only to car shows.
lol, For the cost of the GR2 and firmer Gas a Just rear shock that everyone seems to like, just get the cheap GR2 package and get the Sub Frame connectors in.... save for Koni's down the line if you really want an adjustable.. I have one car with Koni's and one with cheap stock AC Delco replacements and is what came originally similar to GR2 Gas charged stock replacements.. Both have their place. Not rocket science here and not all that hard to swap em out down the road. The cars handle pretty good in factory trim if the oem struts and shocks aren't blown out.. That cars just gonna sit most of the time anyways..
Yup, I agree with everyone, buy the GR2 and the Gas-a-Just, and take the extra money and buy a set of SFC's, which leads me to my next question, what SFC to get???
I like the Spohn subframe connectors because the round tubes on them allow you to use them as jack points when putting a floor jack under the car. Round won't roll off like flat will when the car is in the air.
05-01-2016, 02:01 PM
