KYB Users... and anyone who knows suspension.

[blackstangt]

I want to do my suspension, the basic stuff. quad shocks, shocks, struts and springs. also new isolators and bushings. I am finding it hard to get all of the matching pieces, and i need opinions on what shocks to get. kyb seems to be cheap and good for the price, which is why I picked them. I'm going to go with ford racing springs that lower the front 3/4 or so and back 1/2 or so. any help appreciated.

 

[Shakerhood]

I bought a Bullitt set up for my 92, for the $399 price I ended up with a car that sits around 3/4" lower all the way around and it handles awesome and has an excellent ride.

 

[fiveofanatic]

Speaking from personal experience, KYB's are junk. Best are Koni's, Tokico Illuminas are a good 2nd. Heard lots of good about Bilstein, but never used 'em. Leave the quads stock; once you get good control arms, you can remove them.

H&R springs are the best. Don't waste money on isolators, re-use the stockers.

 

[vikingpower]

I got "C" springs and KYB struts/quad shocks, poly bushings & isolators... they work great! I had to cut the rears a little- 1/2 coil after I had them on for about a month. I dont know what the hell the previous guy was talking about reusing the stock isolators they are total crap- worn out rubber all cracked and **** aint worth a damn. But dont reuse the stock rear control arms... go with aftermarket that already got the bushings installed... taking them to a machine shop and paying to get them pressed out/in is a pain and adds $$$ to the total cost. And if you got the oval rear bushings you gotta burn them out... total pain in the ass and messy.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

My experience with the KYBs was also not all that good. I installed a full set of the KYBs and FRPP "B" springs and my car ride became very harsh. I just about chattered all my teeth out going down the road. Of course, our local roads are not all that great anyway, but.........sheesh. I left the B springs and installed Koni Reds and the ride became a lot better. My traction actually improved since the rear tires weren't being bounced around anymore.
That's just my experience.
Ken

 

[Shakerhood]

The Bullitt set uses Tokicos

 

[tomustang]

Speaking from personal experience, KYB's are junk.

So what happened?


blackstangt - what kind of setup are you looking for, handling or drag?

 

[ratrapp2]

i've got the kyb gr-2s with eibach pro springs.i love it,it does ride firmer than stock but makes up for it with improved handling.we put eibachs and the kyb agx's on a friends 95gt with the same results.i had to replace my spring isolators because they were trashed,yours probably will be too.i used the energy suspension ones.yes they're better shocks out there but not for the price of the kybs.

 

[ram360]

I also had good experience w/ kyb's. The ride was very comfortable. IMO the springs have a lot more to do w/ the ride quality than the shocks/struts.

 

[5LugFoxFanatic]

For a good replacement, KYB is a good way to go. For racing? They suck. I have had two sets of KYB’s. One for my 86 put 2500 miles on them, then one for my 86 again when I did a 5 lug convo put 1500 miles on them because I was broke fom all of the stuff bought for the 5 lug convo, and then I raced with them, and realized they sucked, so I bought Bilsteins. I love them. The ride quality is a huge difference over KYB’s. I also run an Eibach Spring as well. I left the quad shocks alone because I plan on doing a Torque Arm next year. I bought my Bilsteins from www.shox.com for 494.00. Don’t make the same mistake I made, just pony up the cash now, or do it later when you realize that you get what you pay for.

View attachment 505828

 

[PuterAmI]

*looking at the subject*
Anyone who knows suspensions is not a KYB user.

kyb seems to be cheap

Yeah, and for good reason.
You get what you pay for.
With all of the money that you put into your engine, why skimp $100 on the ride?

 

[blackstangt]

actually i have to update the mods, but ok so whats the best streetable suspension i could run that gives me less than an inch drop and good overall performance slightly more for drag racing, but no drag only setup.

 

[fiveofanatic]

So what happened?


blackstangt - what kind of setup are you looking for, handling or drag?

Still got 'em, they were on my '97 when I bought it. They were OK with the stock springs, but don't handle the H&R's well at all. The same spring package on my '90 convertible with Koni reds was much, much, much better.

My problem is there's always a more important place to spend $$$ on; I'd like to put some Illuminas on one of these days, but for now I live with the dump truck ride.

 

[Kerpal]

Could you guys with KYB's specify which ones you're running? The non adjustable GR-2's or the adjustable AGX's?

Anyone know if the Bullitt springs are the same as FMS B springs? And if the shocks are the same as off-the-shelf Tokico HP's ("blues"), or if they're a little different? That setup looks like a good deal...

 

[the pony boy]

kyb gr2's with eibach pro's and new poly mounts all around with stock uppers and x2c lowers and torque box reinforcments and the cars handles great but it doesnt like potholes or bumps but thats fine with me .im very happy non the less. phil

 

[Scooby5.0Doo]

i have the agx up front with a coil over kit and i love them the rear i went with gas ajust for all four not good for wet or drag launching they have a problem with wheel hope man the then live axel starts a hoppin look out

 

[Shakerhood]

Could you guys with KYB's specify which ones you're running? The non adjustable GR-2's or the adjustable AGX's?

Anyone know if the Bullitt springs are the same as FMS B springs? And if the shocks are the same as off-the-shelf Tokico HP's ("blues"), or if they're a little different? That setup looks like a good deal...

I beleive the Bullitt Springs fall in between the B and C Springs if I remember right. The nice thing about the entire set up is the struts and shocks are valved to go with the springs. At $400 for the set, you cant beat that because you get a Spring and a Shock or Strut for each wheel for $100.

 

[shorty1993]

Tokico Illuminas5 way adjustable (get them on Ebay for $450 shipped), Energy Suspension isolators and bushings (Sumitt like $80), Eibach Pro Kit (Sumitt $250). save the money on the quad shocks and get a set of factory five control arm, it will be about the same price with a better ride. also remember that you will want to do C/C plates while there so you dont run into a camber issue. Pro3i are nice and the Steeda ones look great.

FWIW i hate my KYB's and have Tokico on the way.

 

[fiveofanatic]

GR-2 here.