This question is a little different from ones I find *using the search function*

My '92 has 98k on it, and original suspension components. As it drives, I like it. A few clunks here and there over hard bumps in the road from worn out bushings and such, but it rides good. Having said that, my car is a cruiser, not a bruiser. My days of WOT all day long are over just like my 20's are lol. With this car just enjoying the drive is all I care about, and it's plenty fun as it sits.

My question is, I plan to upgrade some suspension parts over the winter. I don't care at all to put high performance shocks and struts on it. So that means higher dollar Koni and Bilstein are out right off the bat. Noting what I said above, what shocks and struts are going to be at a minimum comparable to stock? KYB seems to be the first to get nixed here, but are they at least on par with stock suspension? I don't mind getting something a little better than stock, but I don't want to spend a whole lot of money on it, either.

Overall, I'm looking for recommendations for shocks and struts at the very least no worse or on par with stock/factory.

 

Great question.... I would also be intrested in the answer.

Rod

83ZZZ28

 

kyb agx looks good

 

ANYTHING you put on it, with a capital "N", will be better than the totally non-functional deadweight shock-and-strut-shaped-objects you're pointlessly hauling around now. ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING that actually WORKS, will be better than wasting a bunch of gas dragging around the scrap metal you have now.

May I please emphasize, ANYTHING. (well, with the possible exception of Gabriel)

The KYB stuff is OK, not world-beating or anything, but, OK.

An AMAZING bang for the buck on ANY car, but especially on these, is the sway bar end links and bushings. Use poly. You can usually grab em at AZ, or order em from the board sponsors, Summit, etc. if you prefer. All you gotta do first is measure your bars so you can get the right bushings.

 

recommend the higher end Monroes and agree to stay away from Gabriels.

 

I removed a set of Monroe Sensa-Tracks from my GTA and replaced them with Koni Sports. The ride of the Monroes is softer (and more vague), but still decently controlled vs the Konis on smoother roads with stock suspension, and the Monroes are head and shoulders ahead of the stock units. The Konis track much better through big braking ripples and bumps in turns when the pace heats up, but the price difference is massive. It's been years, but I think the Monroes were about $130 for the whole set, and were a very substantial improvement over stock. From what you have written, I think they might be a good choice for you.

Good luck
TA

 

Very helpful, TA; thanks for posting. My '92 Z28 is just a weekend cruiser and I doubt I'll ever let it have any track or road coarse time (at least until original engine and tranny have been upgraded), so I should pick suspension parts appropriate for the task. I haven't considered the Monroe units until my buddy who worked at a Goodyear service center quoted me for replacement parts and that was what they used/stocked.

 

If it's just a cruiser what's wrong with stock components?

 

Nothing really, except I have 100k on the stock components. Very much worn out and time to replace.

 

So just replace with stock components and save some money if you don't really need higher performance parts.

 

Yes, that's exactly what I intend to do. When I search for recommendations on shocks and struts, you get pages of search results for higher end components like Koni and Bilstein, yet I haven't seen anybody post about factory grade or even a little better performance wise. Heck even a full set of KYB GR2 is still under my budget after initially thinking about going with Konis.

 

I recommend the KYB Excel-G line. I replaced my unknown brand unknown mileage front struts with those two days ago and I am very satisfied. They ride much better than before. Before, bumps in the road felt like a big "bang", and it shook the whole car. Now, the whole car feels WAYYY more solid all the time.

A note, KYB's Excel-G and GR-2 products are exactly the same (apart from color) and there are many on the boards satisfied with the GR-2's.

 

OEM struts and shocks rarely last over 50k miles before they need to be replaced.

I would recommend KYB stuff - great bang for the buck and an improvement over OEM parts (in terms of longevity and performance).

As your car is original, I also highly suggest you replace all the sway bar bushings, end links, and other rubber bushings that deteriorate over time. Rubber dry rots over time.

 

Hey Cale. I got a suggestion to look into. I was in the same position as you; weekend cruiser, not a DD and needed a good shock/strut combo over stock. I didn't want to break the bank so get this.......Sears, of all places, was running a special (they do it all the time) on Monroe Shock/Strut packages with free install and LIFETIME WARRANTY. So I checked them out. I really wanted Koni's but spent that on my WS6. I took the car to Sears and got the Monroe package w/alignment and rotation, out the door under 450.
I can't complain and it handles great.

So on that note, if it's your weekend cruiser and you want a good handling ride, check them out.

 

That's not a bad idea. Yes, bushings and ball joints will be replaced as well as I can see how bad in shape they are currently.


Thanks for all the input, folks.

 

yeah, I ended up getting tie rod ends and a ball joint on top of that price mentioned.

But I have a new front end now!

 

.