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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ KYB vs. koni ?
Posted by: 914efi Jan 4 2005, 09:11 PM
Anyone have opinions or experience? I have adjustable konis in my -6 and like them. I'm looking for shocks for my 911.
Thanks
Posted by: jim912928 Jan 4 2005, 09:14 PM
KYB's suck..Koni's rock. You'll find KYB's might be cheap..but they give a very harsh/rough ride....STAY CLEAR of KYB's!!!
Posted by: Mueller Jan 4 2005, 09:23 PM
that's a joke question correct??? 
no comparison at all unless KYB has improved....gas charged with too much nitrogen......
some people like them 'cause they think that the stiffer the car is the better it is...not true at all...I'd put stock shocks on the car before I installed KYB's
Koni Yellows are on the top of my list of favorite shocks (well, as far as affordable shocks go )
Posted by: seanery Jan 5 2005, 12:50 AM
you've heard the saying right?
Kill Yer Backs
konis are the only way to fly IMHO
Posted by: trekkor Jan 5 2005, 01:00 AM
I had KYB's in my last 914.
I *thought* I liked the ride.
Wrong!
I have Koni's now.
Right! Very right!
KYB's vs. Koni's... 
Ever sleep on gravel and then the next night on a mattress? 
KT
Posted by: sixnotfour Jan 5 2005, 01:12 AM
I wonder If this applies to mife's Yukon that has new KYB's handling is terrible. SOB 
Got Koni adjustables on everything else 
Posted by: 914efi Jan 5 2005, 07:17 AM
Thanks, that confirms my experience of many years ago. I thought they might have improved. I've had the konis for 15 years on my -6 and have always liked them.
Posted by: jwalters Jan 5 2005, 09:00 AM
I have had very good results with KYB rear shocks--they give me what I like--but you are right about the front ones----those suck ass. 
Posted by: 7391420 Jan 5 2005, 09:16 AM
I had to make this choice a few years back, went cheapo with the KYB's, at the time I think they were 400 or so less for all 4 as compared to the others, but that 400 went a long way on parts! so I can't complain!, but they are stiff!
If you go with KYB's dont use a stiff spring set up, I went with 100lb springs and it sort of evens out the ride...but when I have the $$ I'll get koni's for sure!
Posted by: Root_Werks Jan 5 2005, 09:28 AM
The 914 I have now came with KYB's on the rear. I put Boge sports in the front when I installed the 911 stuff. I think the KYB's are really old and worn out. They are not that stiff. But yep, KYP put too much dampening rate on something as light as a 914. You will wind up bouncing over things.
Posted by: ! Jan 5 2005, 09:29 AM
They totally suck.....you can't even give them away at swap meets.
Posted by: Joe Ricard Jan 5 2005, 11:26 AM
| QUOTE (mikez @ Jan 5 2005, 07:29 AM) |
| They totally suck.....you can't even give them away at swap meets. |
Crap I have a brand new set of rear KYB's and 140 springs laying on my garage floor. I'll see your bet I think I CAN give them away.
Posted by: ! Jan 5 2005, 11:29 AM
Well...probably...because some one WOULD take them...they could probably try and get a refund for them if they are still in the box and the springs could be used on other shocks....so, yeah....you MIGHT get a taker....
Don't know what is the bigger dust collector....KYBs or 75-76 bumpers.
Posted by: Sammy Jan 5 2005, 11:38 AM
Make sure ya paint em orange or red or lime green before ya take em to a swap meet, that will help your odds a great deal 
I had KYBs on the front of my turbo 914 when I got it, harsh is the best description. I replaced em with konis, aaaaaahhhhhhhh much better.
IIRC I traded the nearly new KYBs to Boxster Bill for a couple of pieces of 2 liter engine sheet metal.
Posted by: jkeyzer Jan 5 2005, 12:16 PM
I have KYB's on the rear. Not sure what is on the front. The ride is a little rough but not bad enough that I feel the need to replace them. I have been running with them for over 2 years now, maybe they are getting softer?
Compared to blown out, old shocks I am sure they would be a huge improvement. They are a lot cheaper than Koni$$$.
I wonder what the price margin is on shocks.
What are the ricers using these days? I wonder if any of them would fit a 914?
Posted by: jwalters Jan 5 2005, 09:38 PM
You know--for many-many years they were the shock-strut of choice for the type 1 crowd----go figure
What makes me so happy with the KYB's is that here in SoFl--the roads are impeccable--smooth as a babies butt--so the problems everybody else deals with I do not experience.We do not have freezing / icing issues which always undulates the roads to the north--good for me!! 
Posted by: SpecialK Jan 6 2005, 12:42 AM
| QUOTE (jwalters @ Jan 5 2005, 07:38 PM) |
| What makes me so happy with the KYB's is that here in SoFl--the roads are impeccable--smooth as a babies butt-- |
But flat as a road-kill cat........I'll keep my twisties, KYB's, and call the chiropractor in the morning.
That is, when I get the friggin' thing(s) running again
Posted by: Scott Schroeder Jan 6 2005, 10:59 AM
We had a good discussion on this within the Colorado group. I run Koni rears and Bilstien fronts - for no reason other than I got good deals at the time.
I used to run KYB's on everything when I was into the watercooled VW thing (I was young and they were cheap). I think what is usually missing from these conversations is that there are different models with in their line. The gas adjusts are way stiff, and seem to even get stiffer if they are quickly rebounded (wash board roads, etc). The GR-2 model is a low pressure gas that is pretty much the same as any stock replacement you can buy at your nieghbor hood FLAPS. I ran these on my (ex) wifes GLI and on my Forerunner and they were fine (actually nice) in terms of ride. Quality was all over the map however. I had to replace the front struts about once every two years on the GTI and the GLI (one had the gr-2 the ather had the gas adjust). I had to replace the rears in the truck once, but then never had a problem for over 100k miles. Life time warranty is nice, but it doesnt cover install cost or your own knuckle busting time.
If your budget relegated you to the KYB relm - go with Boge or at least with the softer moidel.
Posted by: MarkG Jan 6 2005, 02:20 PM
Shop around, this site has rear Bilsteins for $99.00 :
http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/tayco/quote.jsp?clientid=alloem&cookieid=1EQ1365EH1EQ13OG4G&baseurl=http://www.alloemautoparts.com/&partner=tayco&year=1976&product=L4000-10217&application=000125114
just a few bucks more than KYBs.....
Will be ordering some Bilsteins from them in a few days.....best prices I've been able to find
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