KYB shocks

[myslateblue911]

Has anyone installed KYB shocks on their 911, and if so, what do you think about them?

[jpnovak]

They suck. Don't use them.

Too much compression damping so they ride harsh. Too little rebound damping so the car does not feel planted. Save your money.

[gtc]

My experience with KYBs on 914s was that they don't seem to last as long as either Boges or Bilsteins.

[Matt Monson]

You want to try them? 74 I bought has them on the rear. I'll be changing them in the next month. Pay the shipping and they are yours.

[Franks89-911]

I think it depends on your purpose. Do you want general ride improvement for occasional joyrides? Or do you want to race/track/autocross the car?

I installed them in the rear on my 89 911 about a year ago (I put Sachs inserts up front). I picked KYB because they were the cheaper option. So far they fine to me, +1 year in. But I don't track / autox my car like some others, I drive it maybe 1x a week with a buddy for some bro time after kids are asleep. My car had never had shocks changed out by dad in 27 yrs and the originals were clearly shot, so anything was an improvement.

Hope that helps. Let us know what you decide.

[chrisbruck]

I put some on a boring daily driver and hated them. Not very sporty, felt cheap and frankly didn't last all that long (maybe 30k miles). I can't imagine putting them on a 911. I put some Bilstein HD's on mine and love them.

[cabmandone]

I have them on my car. It is lowered to about Euro spec maybe a bit lower. I have no problems with them and would recommend them. Keep in mind, your torsion bars are what keep you connected, the shock absorbers do just that, absorb shock. Reaction time would be important on a track car but on a street car it becomes much less critical. My car is not tracked but I do some spirited driving from time to time and have never felt my car wasn't hooked to the road. Just my .02.

[Otter74]

Seems highly application-dependent. I have a set of adjustable AGXes on my SE-R (stock springs) and I think they're fantastic, and will probably outlast the car. My Saab has a set of GR2s and I hate them - my impression matches jpnovak's. They're getting replaced with red Konis any day now. Not sure it would be my first choice for a 911.

[Duc Hunter]

KYB use to stand for "Kill Your Back." I have bili's in my 89 with torsion bars and with in my '75 with coil overs. The '75 rides as good or better than my 2001 Turbo, and the 89 is nice as long as you don't go too low (I don't have raised spindles).

[brighton911]

IMO, don't waste your money. I used them once and couldn't believe how fast they lost their dampening.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Otter74

Seems highly application-dependent. I have a set of adjustable AGXes on my SE-R (stock springs) and I think they're fantastic, and will probably outlast the car. My Saab has a set of GR2s and I hate them - my impression matches jpnovak's. They're getting replaced with red Konis any day now. Not sure it would be my first choice for a 911.

Similar to my story. I've put a dozen sets of GR2s or AGX on Subarus. Great performance or even stock replacment shock from Subaru's OEM. Put a set on my 1970 911 a decade ago and hated hated hated it. My post above was serious about giving them away.