Is the KYB GR-2 a good shock?

[Corbic]

My car needs rear shocks and bad. I honestly don't know squat about suspesnion. I've rode along in some "moded" cars that have had either lowered suspension or firmed up. They have all been horrific. Car becomes stiff as a board. So I'm not looking to add a hard stiff ride or lower the car.

Saddly I'm spammed at work and home with "tunner parts mags", mainly JCW Sport Compact. I don't know what to make of them, kinda a mix of import tuner and pep-boys. I decided to look at shock prices for my Talon though, KBY and Tokico. I've heard of both else where, but I don't know anytihng about either. KYB GR-2s are $50 bucks I don't know if thats for a pair or singles, Tokico's are 80-130 a pop. Do I want adjustable?

Thanks

 

[92awddsm]

The gr-2's are good stock replacements and will make the car have a stock ride. If it is just a daily driver, they should work fine unless you want the bling factor of having an adjustable strut.

 

[AWDPetmitsu]

You'll be more than happy with them if you're just looking to replace your worn stock shocks and nothing else.

 

[Corbic]

Thanks. Stock replacements sound good at this point. I’m low on cash and won’t be doing the entire suspension for some time, I have other parts of the car that need work and money.

 

[wing91]

I currently have KYB GR2 and they feel great. I think you will be more than happy with them.

 

[jtmcinder]

unless you want the bling factor of having an adjustable strut.

Bling factor???? GMFB.

- Jtoby

 

[steve]

When I was looking for some new struts for my old MR2, Tire Rack had some of the best prices on GR2's that I could find.

Steve

 

[92awddsm]

Bling factor???? GMFB.

- Jtoby

Yea, you know the people that have adjustability just to say they have it. Usually for show. Unless you have live a sheltered life or live in the perfect world

 

[Dauntless]

Yea, you know the people that have adjustability just to say they have it. Usually for show. Unless you have live a sheltered life or live in the perfect world

This is not even close to being true for a modified car. Granted, if Corbic has stock springs and dampers, then the GR-2s are a good replacement and he will almost certainly be happy with them. However, if one changes the spring rate of the car then an adjustable damper is the answer. For instance, I have AGXs and GABs with Eibach springs. After some exerimentation I settled on a few clicks up from full soft for my preferred ride quality. If I change the springs again, or the anti-roll bars, then I will go through the same process again. It's not called "bling", it's called "tuning"...

 

[92awddsm]

This is not even close to being true for a modified car. Granted, if Corbic has stock springs and dampers, then the GR-2s are a good replacement and he will almost certainly be happy with them. However, if one changes the spring rate of the car then an adjustable damper is the answer. For instance, I have AGXs and GABs with Eibach springs. After some exerimentation I settled on a few clicks up from full soft for my preferred ride quality. If I change the springs again, or the anti-roll bars, then I will go through the same process again. It's not called "bling", it's called "tuning"...

Well, you dont have to explain a suspension to me. I probably had my first autocross car before you had your liscence. If you look and pay attention, he has stock suspension and doesnt want to lower or firm up the ride. GR2 are perfect for him. Adjustables would be pointless for him because he doesnt seem too interested in the adjustability. He just wants a stock ride. Now, if he did change the springs, you would be right but he didnt. So instead of telling me what I already know, why dont you stay on topic and give the original poster some useful info to his particular question.

 

[Dauntless]

Well, you dont have to explain a suspension to me.

Glad to hear that. So why didn't you explain why he might not need adjustables rather than just dissing them as "bling"?

I probably had my first autocross car before you had your liscence.

Not unless you are well into your 60's..since I'm a 50-something grandfather whose team has won an SCCA Triple Crown and President's Cup, and who is now team engineer for a team that has won two more Runoffs Championships.

If you look and pay attention, he has stock suspension and doesn't want to lower or firm up the ride. GR2 are perfect for him. Adjustables would be pointless for him because he doesnt seem too interested in the adjustability. He just wants a stock ride.

Yes, and unless I've gone senile in the past hour, I believe that's what I wrote.

Now, if he did change the springs, you would be right but he didnt. So instead of telling me what I already know, why dont you stay on topic and give the original poster some useful info to his particular question.

Lighten up, Old Timer. You're the one who described adjustable dampers as "bling". I just called you out on it.

 

[mach1one]

Buy GR2s until you can figure out what you want to do with the car's susp, i.e. set it up for drag, autox, stock, or whatever else. I drove around on blown shocks bc I didn't know either. I couldn't take it anymore. At least now I can fun with the car and not worry about blowing out the rear launching it or auto-x and do decently well. No sense in spending alot on something when you're not sure what you want your car to be.


GR2s are cheap, I got a set of ebay for around 150$.

 

[endlessMyk]

Sorry to thread-jack, but I understand if you want a stock ride, not messing with the suspension really, the GR-2s are alright. So I have Apex 1.8" lowering springs and possibly front/rear bars, depending on what the research shows, would the GR2s be alright still? Or should I just bite the bullet and go for the adjustables?
And to answer your question, they are good. I had them on my 92 Mirage and could feel the difference.

Oh, and my set-up for the car is pretty much gonna be street with some drag.

 

[Shane916]

If you have a 1.8" drop then the GR2's are way out of question and you will want something more along the lines of KYB AGX or might even want the Tokico HP(Blues) or the best which are Illuminas

 

[Defiant]

My car needs rear shocks and bad. I honestly don't know squat about suspesnion. I've rode along in some "moded" cars that have had either lowered suspension or firmed up. They have all been horrific. Car becomes stiff as a board. So I'm not looking to add a hard stiff ride or lower the car.

If you're going from 10-year-old shocks to near-stock, you're going to find the ride significantly stiffened.
If you can afford the extra cost, adjustables are always a good idea.