Is anyone Using KYB shocks/struts?
 

Im in the market for some new struts and springs. Im probably going to go with the RB Suspension Package, because its a smoother ride for a street car, and cost less than the eibach's. So that leaves me with the struts. Has anyone had any experience with the Regular KYB's? The're cheaper than everything else, and im assuming theres a reason behind that. So whats your opinion? Also, my car is going to be mainly a street car, and if i have the chance, next season i want to try autox.

MAN, MY POLL SUCKS.

Yup yer poll sux :)

I think the Koni's would be best coz they are adjustable and not a lot more expensive than the Tokico HP.

i have kyb shocks and struts, but they arent installed. if i had my choice, i would go with tokio adjustables and eibach springs, but the shocks came with the car. so im probably going eibach springs and using the kyb shocks.. when i finally scratch up the money (probably after x-mas) im getting the springs, but im sure you will have some kind of decision by then

I put KYB Ralley strut cartridges on my 3 back in the mid 90's. They were cheaper than the Tokicos, I think they were like 85 bucks for the pair. I'm running the stock spring but cut either half or one round out of them to lower the front. I have coil overs in the rear. The leafs r weak and it tends to bottom out when carrying passengers in the back seat. It needs to be lowered in the rear now since these shocks have increased the ride height in the rear.

Woo hoo!, finally some responses. Acio, are the specials adjustable? I thought that only the "street sports" are adjustable, and from doing a little research at koni's website. They are not available for the FB. :(

Im looking for something affordable. (isnt everyone?) ;)

All i really need to know is if the KYB regular shocks are crap or not. Because if they are, ill just spring for the Tokico's. I wish i could get the Illuminas, but $115 ea. is a little steep.

onepointone, let me know how your kyb's turn out. it might be a month or so before i actually get around to purchasing these.

www.classicgarage.com

check for the Koni shocks.

thanks, Aico. Ive seen that page before a while back. But it skipped my mind.

umm... i dont think those are adjustable. it did list some adjustable front struts for the '80 model. But mines an '85.

allkonis are adjustable. the normal kind have to be removed to be adjusted though. you push the shaft in until it engages a nut at the bottom then twist. anyway, where are hydrualics in your poll?

Those shocks are adjustable. Just not externally :)

http://www.classicgarage.com/classicgarage/86-2345.html
KONI is universally accepted as the leader in manufacturing high quality, adjustable shocks and struts. KONIs are produced from the finest materials; surfaces are machined to the narrowest tolerances, and the strictest quality control standards are incorporated in all production steps. At the end of the production line every single damper is 100% dyno-tested to assure optimum performance. ***Because they are adjustable***, KONIs can virtually last a lifetime. Prices are per individual McPherson strut insert.

http://www.classicgarage.com/classicgarage/26-1152.html

KONI is universally accepted as the leader in manufacturing high quality, adjustable shock absorbers. KONI shock absorbers are produced from the finest materials; surfaces are machined to the narrowest tolerances, and the strictest quality control standards are incorporated in all production steps. At the end of the production line every single damper is 100% dyno-tested to assure optimum performance. ***Because they are adjustable***, KONI shocks can virtually last a lifetime. Prices are per individual shock.

KYB's are not crummy shocks. They are actually constructed really well, and hold up fairly well also. If I were to rate various shocks, I would say the KYB's are probably nearly comprable to Tokico Blues ... I would say the Tokico's a bit nicer tho ...

They're kidding, right? Those prices are CHEAP! :)

to answer your 1st question every 1st gen owner with stock shocks / struts has KYB's :D

Thanks for the info everyone!

Intresting, i didnt know KYB's were stock parts. My dad has the adjustable kybs on his miata. So i knew those were sweet. I just wasnt sure about the normal ones.

Acio,
Sorry, i didnt pick up on that they make hi quality adjustable struts means that they are all adjustable.

One more question:
Is there an advantage to the red koni's over the silvers?

I've heard this is the ONLY reason they are adjustable... that they really don't change the ride characteristics that much(unless they are tired... then readjusting gives more(normal) life. Not sure on that one though.

IMHO, the tokicos sound the best, cause they can be adjusted w/o removal

In dealing with shocks (or struts) and suspension parts in general, you get what you pay for. Saving 50 bucks the first time doesn't help if you end up buying everything again. Decide what you want to do with the car, and don't waste your money on junk...

KYB's are like an OE shock, just with really firm settings. They typically ride like crap, can't handle big spring rates, and don't last very long. They do put a big grin on your face after replacing your worn-out stockers, but that grin eventually turns into buyer's remorse if you drive the car often, or drive it hard (autox).

Tokico non-adjustables are a MUCH nicer OE style shock that ride decently, handle better, and typically last longer. [Did I mention cheap(ish)?] They too do not appreciate huge spring rates, but if you are running any street-type spring, you'd be fine. They are perfectly acceptable on an autox course, they don't require the hassle of adjustment for a beginner, and they should make you happy in the long run.

IMO Koni makes the best product for our cars. They have a great reputation, decent technology, they last forever, and they flat out handle well. The Tokico adjustables are next on my list...

Either way, I've found the best prices and customer service through www.shox.com .

If you can't afford to upgrade everything at once, go in steps.
First, replace the most worn-out stuff of course. If everything is already in decent shape (except for being stock!) replace the front struts with something like a Tokico or a Koni, and cut half a coil off if you must have the "lowered look." Then go with the springs when you can afford them, and eventually, the rear shocks. If you want me to explain the reasoning, feel free to ask, but IMO, that's the best route as far as shocks/spring replacement goes on a budget.

Hope that helps in some way!

PS - Most people have NO need for an adjustable shock, if that makes ya feel any better going with the Tokico's ;)

does anyone here use the non adjustable tokicos? like i said earlier in this thread, i have the kyb's, but i wanted to tokico illumina's. shox.com quoted me $419 for all four illumina's, $656 with eibach springs shipped to my house. but im kinda considering going with non adjustables because im afraid the spring rate on the eibachs might be too much to tell the differences in possitions on the illumina's. the guy i bought my car from has illumina's with racing beat springs on a gslse, and he said theres really no difference, so i dont want to pay the extra ~200 when i wont feel the difference.

my question, if i go with non adjustables, which is the best, koni, tokico blues, or just stay with the kyb's i already have. im definately getting eibach springs. sounds like koni would be the best for durability. i was thinking the tokico blues though.. what are you alls opinions between the three?

also, thanks direct freak and rx7gslse for pointing me to shox.com. my friend has wholesale hookups, and the gu couldnt beat 656 for all four eibachs and illuminas. pretty crazy prices..

I just put Tokico blue on my 83 (at 115k) which had kaput OEM shocks, and it rides pretty rough. Or, maybe I should say snappy, since the suspension seems to disappear minor bumps but things like tar strips are quite noticeable: I spill my cup of tea. The 85 has (I think) OEM shocks with 50k, rides very smooth, but no problem cornering or following road surfaces, and I don't spill my cup of tea (well, 'til I start cornering).

If I had it to do over again, I'd put OEMs on for street use.

B

thats the thing, it is a street driver, but i dont mind it being rough, as long as it isnt like a civic with cheap coil overs (friend has that, and man it was horible, now he has eibachs and man o man... :) )

would you not recommend the tokico blues? what springs are you running? or are they stock?

Stock springs. Frankly, I really like whatever I have on the 85GSL (I just bought it with 49k actual miles and suspect it's all stock). Rides very smooth, and corners as well as the 83GS with tokico blues. But the GSL is a little heavier, so that may be the answer.

Maybe the tokicos will loosen up a little in the coming weeks. I expect so.

But I figure the OEM stuff is usually pretty well balanced between performance and comfort.

B

On my 79, I have RB springs and Tokico blues (ureathane bushings too). I'm very happy with this setup.

I would say the best bang for the buck for what you want would be the blues.