KYB's vs Boge

Luke911 · 02-25-2005, 12:09 PM

I'm a newby to the board so be kind. I have a 1970T that I'm doing numerous maintainence and upgrade projects on. I do most of my own work as there isn't near the availability of Porsche resources in Iowa that you guys on the coasts have.

I'm currently doing a front suspension rebuild. The car is stock with Boge units and in looking in the Pelican catalog I see KYB units listed for dramatically less money. Why, and does anyone have any experience or advise on these?

The car is basically for street use.

Az911 · 02-25-2005, 12:18 PM

KYB are not worthy on going on your 911. They are cheap koren made shocks that ride terrible. Don't be cheap when it comes to maintenance get some Bilsteins the first time around.

KobaltBlau · 02-25-2005, 12:27 PM

I recommend bilstein HD. you can get them to fit the boge spindles. They aren't cheap but shocks are important and the bilsteins are valved well and will last a very long time.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

They don't call them Kill Yer Back fer nothing...they suck...

Luke911 · 02-25-2005, 12:42 PM

Thanks for the advice. Bilstein it is!

Jeff Jagusch · 02-25-2005, 01:02 PM

How would they be as a replacement?
If he is using the car as a street (non track) car, would they be a cost effective alternative?

They seem to be able to be bought considerable less than Bilstiens?

jmz · jmz's Garage

I had a buddy with a 74 carrera that had KYBs in it. It also had very large torsion bars. 23/31 if I am not mistaken. At any rate this was one of the better handling and riding 911's I have driven.

Russ in VA · 02-25-2005, 09:16 PM

I put KYB's in an stock supsended 76 I had years ago. I was very pleased with the results. The valving meshed perfectly with the stock supsension, good ride control, handled well, no too harsh but certainly not wallowy either. And I did all 4 corners for a little more than what one Bilstien would cost! I recomend them. I'd be putting them in my 84 but unfortunatley it's a factory Bilstien car so I have no options beyond sport or HD

I'll have to spend the big bucks this time around.

HarryD · 02-25-2005, 09:44 PM

I just replaced my dead boge front and kyb rears shocks with Bilsteins (HD front/Sport rear). My car has stock t-bars and 19 mm front and rear sways. There is a world of difference in the handling crispness. After driving the new setup, I will now wonder why I waited.

ken_xman · 02-26-2005, 05:06 AM

I just threw away the kyb's on a 89 Benz, for bilsteins. Big difference.
I have the bilsteins on the 87 911 also. Very good quality, long lasting performer.

73911guy · 02-26-2005, 06:57 PM

One of the "selling points" when I bought my '73 was that it had new KYB's all around, 1,000 miles on them.

By the time the car spent 5 years being restored, must of it on 4 jack stands, one of the fronts had lost all its gas and bottomed out at the slightest roll in the road. The other front had almost no gas charge left in it The rears were sostiff it was amazing, but didn't do a thing for handling.

I'd save my $$$, buy the better name brands, depending on which struts you have.

Jim