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Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

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Old 04-22-2019, 11:31 AM
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Car: 1989 IROC Convertible
Engine: 350 TPI L98
Transmission: WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

They are not correct for IROC and Z28 springs. I suspect they are for base Camaro suspension spring rates. When I refreshed my car a couple years ago, I wanted OEM and the catalogs said these were. I think what has gotten lost over time is that they are not strong enough for the performance suspension spring rates. I swapped them out with KYB Gas Adjusts and amazing, the back end settled out and feels proper again. I had been wondering if my springs were gone or wrong, but the Excel-G's are way to weak and it made the car bouncy.

Now I am suspecting the Excel-G struts in the front are weak as well. I'll be looking at those.

FWIW, I replaced the rear springs also with new Moogs but what I took out of there looked the same and fairly fresh, seriously doubt they were the original springs. They looked exactly like what I was putting in, about a 1/2" shorter (settled maybe?). Pretty sure I didn't need to replace them but oh well.

Anyway, DON'T use Excel-G's in Camaros with the higher rate springs.
Old 02-05-2024, 10:05 AM
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Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

Good thinking. Thanks for the heads up.
Old 02-05-2024, 12:04 PM
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Car: '90 Formula '88 GTA
Engine: 305 TPI 350 TPI
Transmission: T5 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 10 Bolt 3.27 9 bolt
Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

Interesting, I had put Excel-G's on the front of my WS6 and Gas-a-just on the rear (because they only make gas-a-just for the rear), and the front seemed to ride great with no bounce. granted it was the 5.0 but I don't think its that much lighter. I will have to re-assess and do some testing once my LS is in as I will have UMI springs.
Old 02-05-2024, 03:38 PM
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Car: '90 Formula '88 GTA
Engine: 305 TPI 350 TPI
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Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

Originally Posted by T.L.
Not true. I just put a pair of Excel-Gs on the rear of my 'bird a year ago.
It has regular Firebird rear springs, and Z-28 front springs...
yes they make excel-g's for the rear, but they don't make gas-a-just for the front is what I meant. otherwise I would have gone with gas-adjust on all 4 corners, since it is a "higher tier" than the excel g
Old 02-06-2024, 02:44 PM
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Car: 85-6 TA 85IROC 82-6 MSE 15th/83pace
Engine: Slow ones
Transmission: 700R4/T5
Axle/Gears: Weak ones
Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

The Basic KYB shocks of all types besides for the AGX series are not worth your time. Koni, Bilstein, and the AGX. The order. no substitute. Everything is just trash and that is the truth. You will never be happy with them especially if this is a weekend car. Buy once, cry once.
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Old 02-06-2024, 05:38 PM
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Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
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Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

Originally Posted by T.L.
I thought Bilsteins were no longer made for these cars (?)...
Fronts aren't, rears still are
Old 02-07-2024, 03:38 PM
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Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

[QUOTE=Buy once, cry once.[/QUOTE]

Most profound thing I’ve read on thirdgen in recent times. Optional elaboration of ‘buy twice, cry thrice as hard’
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Old 02-08-2024, 06:23 AM
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Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

I installed front struts in my 88 back in 2013,.... The car didn't get back on the street until summer of 2021 and put about 4K on it since then. Never noticed any problems with the front end bouncing ( except this one time,... ) and I drive pretty hard. That "one time": I had the pass side strut blow-thru the upper strut-tower mount about a year back ! I also used them in the rear but the Trans Am rear Springs are "softer" than IROC rear springs; still,..... I've got no complaints about the rear.





The car was almost a complete shell when they were first installed in the front so I was trying to get the car complete / roadworthy and not ready for a road course,... but they have been holding weight for over a decade and they still perform just fine for me today. Pretty darn good for a cheap strut IMO.



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Old 02-09-2024, 03:38 AM
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Car: 85-6 TA 85IROC 82-6 MSE 15th/83pace
Engine: Slow ones
Transmission: 700R4/T5
Axle/Gears: Weak ones
Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

Originally Posted by GTA1990
Most profound thing I’ve read on thirdgen in recent times. Optional elaboration of ‘buy twice, cry thrice as hard’
Have spent so much money on these cars, kinda learned the hard way on how not to do this stuff. It was painful. Kinda like in Shawshank Redemption, "I wish I could go back, talk some sense into him"

Old 02-09-2024, 10:05 AM
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Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

I Swear, Just one more car. I can stop anytime I want.

You've got plenty of room,... Just start stackin' em' up !!!


Old 02-09-2024, 02:54 PM
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Car: 85-6 TA 85IROC 82-6 MSE 15th/83pace
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Transmission: 700R4/T5
Axle/Gears: Weak ones
Re: Watch out for KYB Excel-G shocks

Originally Posted by John in RI
You've got plenty of room,... Just start stackin' em' up !!!

I wish. Have you seen lift prices, about 3-4 for each single. 8-10 for a double. Thats used.
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