KYB Shocks for 1982 2000 Spider

[MikeJones]

I have been told that KYB shocks will ruin my shock towers. None of the KYB shocks that I have will fit without compressing the springs. Thus, I do have concerns about doing damage to my shock towers. If this is true what shocks should I use? Are Gabriels okay? The springs appear to be original.

Mike

[azruss]

I ran KYB adjustables on my 70 for about 150k miles. no issues other than it raised my ground clearance about an 1". It it worked ok for a low rider, it should be ok with the newer years.

[ga.spyder]

I have been running the gray KYB's on my 82 for 5 years.No issues with shock towers or anything else.Did not raise the ride height(I have cut springs).Maybe the best thing I have done for the car.Many,many of the owners here run those shocks.

[vandor]

>I have been told that KYB shocks will ruin my shock towers.

The WHITE KYBs (Gas-a-just) can damage the shock mount.
The SILVER KYBs (GR-2) that all the Fiat parts vendors sell are not nearly as stiff, and will not damage the shock mount.

[tiaf124]

I am rather dissapointed with the KYB (stiff enough& raised ride height) in my 124.
I may have access to a pair of red Konis and i wouldn't like to swap mine with a set with similar effects .
How would you rate red Konis in comparison with grey or white KYB.... stiffer softer

[azruss]

I switched from Koni reds to KYB adjustable. I had the Koni turned tight and the KYBs turn loose. the feeling was about the same. Its my understanding the gas shocks have a longer life span the hydraulics.

[tiaf124]

I switched from Koni reds to KYB adjustable. I had the Koni turned tight and the KYBs turn loose. the feeling was about the same. Its my understanding the gas shocks have a longer life span the hydraulics.

As far as i know neither the KYB gas-a-just are adjustable nor the GR-2 or am i so wrong ??

[vandor]

Set on soft the Konis are as mild as any other shock.
I don't see how the silver GR-2 KYBs could ever be considered stiff.

[ga.spyder]

Agrred..I have never heard anyone describe the KYB GR2 as too stiff.Usually ,it is that they arent stiff enough.I do auto-x,track days,rallies,etc.. on my 82 with KYB's.They have been reliable and a great compromise between mushy stock shocks and teeth jarring race shocks.I guess it depends on what you want to do with the car.They are a great value,at $100 for all 4 you can get a set for the price of 1 Koni.

[tiaf124]

I was refering to gas-a-just as "stiff enough& raised ride height".
In the KYB catalogue there are the KYB GR-2 / Excel-G in the same section
http://www.kyb.com/products/shocks/gr2.php the first is grey the other black .
Is there any difference between these 2 types why is this diversification ?
I also noticed that in Europe ,Latin America they only sell Excel-G .

[ga.spyder]

I dont have a clue about the black series,When I bought mine there were only the 2 choices.I was warned to not put the white gas-a-just on my car,too.We have Konis on the race car and they are great.The KYBs on the street Spider have also been a very good choice.I would venture to say I run my car as hard as anyone and they have held up great,and the ride is still nice.

[So Cal Mark]

the GR2 are being changed to the Excel. Same shock, new packaging

[Elwood]

the GR2 are being changed to the Excel. Same shock, new packaging

Mark,
When you get my rig on the road for the shake down cruise(s) please post what your opinion is of the installed KYBs.
I am especially interested in the idea as to how they could ‘ruin my shock towers.’

Thanks,
Darin