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I have a 99ws6 135K miles original rear shocks 1. when I hit the tinyist bump I feel the body botton out, I must be riding on springs only, haven't bounced the rear yet to test the shocks
they must be shot BC there's quite a bit of oil residue on outside of shock.
2.I'm stock ride height still can't clear even medium speed bumps, plan to replace w/ a stock length.
so what exactly is a carbon shock? from what I understand there a difference between WS6 shocks & regular TAs.
3.w/ 135K on the clock mostly expressway cruising probably 40K on bumpy city roads should I consider rear springs, or can they be tested? or slap some shocks on and see how well she rides?
4.will replacing just the rear shocks have any effect on handling w/ the original struts?
5.car is a street car I do like a smooth ride over a harsh ride, I wouldn't say the stock shocks are smooth. please recommend a smooth shock that won't effect handling but smoother than stock. thanks
I recently replaced the rear shocks on my ‘00 with KYB GR2’s. I’ll replace the fronts at some point in the near future, but there’s not real negatives to speak of really with just the new rears.
I imagine you’re fixing to get a lot of “get a set of Bilsten’s, or at least “Koni str-t’s.” Those might be good but if you don’t plan on lowering it the KYB’s will suffice. I had the str-t’s on a different car, they were ok I guess but they weren’t that ok to justify the extra cost. Not for this project anyway.
are these the one's you have More Information for KYB KG5562 (rockauto.com)
I'm a tad confused on the lower bolt w/ it's 2 nuts.I assume one nut bolts to cars bracket w/ shrt end of stud & 2nd bolt attachs to shock end.
I'm not into a harsh ride I'm thinking the bilstiens have.
I was optimistically hopping for some new improved shock technology I don't know about. after a quickie search seams like same old **** different day.
these trickie ******** that put a name on a product need there ***** removed I mean what the heck was gm thinking when they came up w/ carbon shocks dam, rant over.
are these the one's you have More Information for KYB KG5562 (rockauto.com)
I'm a tad confused on the lower bolt w/ it's 2 nuts.I assume one nut bolts to cars bracket w/ shrt end of stud & 2nd bolt attachs to shock end.
I'm not into a harsh ride I'm thinking the bilstiens have.
I was optimistically hopping for some new improved shock technology I don't know about. after a quickie search seams like same old **** different day.
these trickie ******** that put a name on a product need there ***** removed I mean what the heck was gm thinking when they came up w/ carbon shocks dam, rant over.
No, not those. The ones you linked are the Gas-a-just, and they are said to be rough riding. I have (and I think you’d prefer) the GR2 or Excel G. They’re the same shock just renamed. I’ve had a set on a mustang of mine that’s lowered about 3/4” for nearly ten years now. It handles well and rides well enough for a Mustang with slightly stiffer springs than stock.
$21.87 each. KYB 343211 is the part number for the GR2/Excel G rears. https://www.stockwiseauto.com/kyb-34...t&Model=Camaro
Last edited by Y2K_Frenzy; 05-02-2022 at 08:21 PM.
the shocks you link to look good enough for me. I've never ordered from this place I'm confussed these are 2 differnt type shocks I want the v8 version twin tube but don't see a way to separate the 2.
also I mite should have mentioned I have eldobrock chasis componet upgrades welded in SFC/LCA/ torque arm/panhard bar & sway bar bushings also a strut tower brace, all this stuff helped it hookup and reduced wheel hop to almost nothing. making around 390HP rear wheel. these upgrades also made her ride stiffer.
thanks you linked to the cheapest place to order unless they get me on shipping.
The typical KYB makes a decent enough band aid. Have ran KYB's several times before. Most recently ony 02 Z28 etc. However after ~20 years and lots of miles the rear springs can be part of the issue.
Replaced alll four shocks with Koni SRT.T's and all four coil springs with Strano's springs. My 258,000 mile 02 Z28 feels like a much newer car on the road now. Added a set of Strano sway bars two months later the the overall improvement is amazing!
The typical KYB makes a decent enough band aid. Have ran KYB's several times before. Most recently ony 02 Z28 etc. However after ~20 years and lots of miles the rear springs can be part of the issue.
Replaced alll four shocks with Koni SRT.T's and all four coil springs with Strano's springs. My 258,000 mile 02 Z28 feels like a much newer car on the road now. Added a set of Strano sway bars two months later the the overall improvement is amazing!
I approve this message, op a old timer told me one time " being cheap is expensive " and he was right you'll spend twice cause you weren't happy the first time and you'll end up getting what you should have bought in the first place..... Just my .03¢ worth.
The typical KYB makes a decent enough band aid. Have ran KYB's several times before. Most recently ony 02 Z28 etc. However after ~20 years and lots of miles the rear springs can be part of the issue.
Replaced alll four shocks with Koni SRT.T's and all four coil springs with Strano's springs. My 258,000 mile 02 Z28 feels like a much newer car on the road now. Added a set of Strano sway bars two months later the the overall improvement is amazing!
How stiff is the ride with the strano and str-t’s? I once had a car with Eibach Sportlines (425-630 front, 140-295 rear) and STR-T’s, and it rode like a chuckwagon. The Sportlines’ drop was fairly low though, 1.5” or more. The car that I have with KYB’s all around has springs that are rated 425-530 front and 200-300 lb/in rear and a .5” drop is pleasant to drive. Better than new, light years ahead of when they had 200k miles on them. It’s stiff but it won’t beat you to death like Sportlines did. In the 10 years or so I’ve been running them it’s never felt like it “didn’t have enough shocks/struts under it. It’s never bottomed out and body roll is at a minimum. That being said, I like the minimum drop the Stranos’ give but I once read that STR-t’s are recommend at a minimum due to how stiff the springs are. That kind of spooks me away little because my mind goes right to chuckwagon. Or one has to spend an arm and two legs on Bilsteins. Are the Stranos that much stiffer than stock?
Last edited by Y2K_Frenzy; 05-10-2022 at 06:20 AM.
These are the Strano rates per site -Front spring rate: 550 lbs/in. -Rear spring rate: 100 lbs/in. take up (non functional while driving), 150 lbs/in. working rate.
I don't think the Strano Springs & Koni SRT.T's are stiff or harsh. My wife said the 02 Z28 rode better than with worn stock set up. My 91 RS is stiff & harsh with Bilstein HD's & weight jacks. My 99 T/A rides best of the three unless it bottoms out due to the sagging Eibach's. T/A has SLP Bilstein's. T/A's Bilsteins with Stranos Spring would ride better still am 100% sure of that.
KYB’s are decent (7/10 spirited driving and 7/10 ride) better than the typical stock junk shocks for sure! My 91 RS has had several suspension set ups over 400,000 miles stock, stock w/KYB's, 1LE/Z28 springs w/new KYB's, Eibach Sportlines & Bilstein HD, Eibach Sportlines & Bilstein HD w/LS swap, weight jacks & Bilstein HD w/LS swap.
I'd compare my 91 RS weightjacks & Bilstein HD's as (9.5/10 spirited driving and 4/10 ride, its harsh & stiff)
99T/A's Eibachs & SLP Bilstein's as (8/10 spirited driving and 9/10 ride)
02 Z28 Strano & Koni SRT.T's as (9/10 spirited driving and 8/10 ride)
Stock 4th Gen (6/10 spirited driving and 6/10 ride)
Stock 3th Gen (7/10 spirited driving and 5/10 ride)
Slapped a pair of KYB's on the rear of the 02 Z28 back in 2018 as a band aid and they helped. However the rear settled down better w/the Strano set up in my experience. Basically KYB's very good quality economy shocks can't hold a candle to the Bilstein's or Koni SRT.T's in my opinion & experience.
YMMV
Last edited by 99 Black Bird T/A; 05-11-2022 at 06:08 AM.
These are the Strano rates per site -Front spring rate: 550 lbs/in. -Rear spring rate: 100 lbs/in. take up (non functional while driving), 150 lbs/in. working rate.
I don't think the Strano Springs & Koni SRT.T's are stiff or harsh. My wife said the 02 Z28 rode better than with worn stock set up. My 91 RS is stiff & harsh with Bilstein HD's & weight jacks. My 99 T/A rides best of the three unless it bottoms out due to the sagging Eibach's. T/A has SLP Bilstein's. T/A's Bilsteins with Stranos Spring would ride better still am 100% sure of that.
KYB’s are decent (7/10 spirited driving and 7/10 ride) better than the typical stock junk shocks for sure! My 91 RS has had several suspension set ups over 400,000 miles stock, stock w/KYB's, 1LE/Z28 springs w/new KYB's, Eibach Sportlines & Bilstein HD, Eibach Sportlines & Bilstein HD w/LS swap, weight jacks & Bilstein HD w/LS swap.
I'd compare my 91 RS weightjacks & Bilstein HD's as (9.5/10 spirited driving and 4/10 ride, its harsh & stiff)
99T/A's Eibachs & SLP Bilstein's as (8/10 spirited driving and 9/10 ride)
02 Z28 Strano & Koni SRT.T's as (9/10 spirited driving and 8/10 ride)
Stock 4th Gen (6/10 spirited driving and 6/10 ride)
Stock 3th Gen (7/10 spirited driving and 5/10 ride)
Slapped a pair of KYB's on the rear of the 02 Z28 back in 2018 as a band aid and they helped. However the rear settled down better w/the Strano set up in my experience. Basically KYB's very good quality economy shocks can't hold a candle to the Bilstein's or Koni SRT.T's in my opinion & experience.
YMMV
Thank you much for the good info. Sorry for thread jack OP.
I've never researched suspension components like springs & shocks in past just replaced w/ stock stuff.I have researched and done most of the chassis stuff.
what are the stock springs spec's?
not sure what there referred to as maybe struts for the rear (that I see on racing cars) where the shock is built inside the smaller spring maybe coil overs. are these strickly for racing?
Hyperco makes Strano's springs.
My 91 RS has 1050# fronts - it's harsh 😀😃🙂
not sure what there referred to as maybe struts for the rear (that I see on racing cars) where the shock is built inside the smaller spring maybe coil overs. are these strickly for racing?
I think your describing a coil over set up.
FWIW -
Stock 4th Gen's have shocks, two front & two rear
Stock 3rd Gen's have two front struts & two rear shocks.
The difference in shock & strut explained
Spoiler!
Shocks and struts are two distinct parts with different functions. While both can help with your vehicle’s ride and handling, these parts work in different ways. Shocks are individual components of the suspension system while struts are a major structural component of the chassis and suspension system.
So i am about to swap over to Viking coil overs and noticed the rear springs are 110lbs instead of 150lb like the guy originally told me. my car is pretty much full weight. 3600 lbs and i do ride my kids in the back. i do not take sharp curves fast, i have a spool. but i do drag race some.
Should i bump the springs up to 150lb or would the 110lb be okay ?
Hyperco makes Strano's springs.
My 91 RS has 1050# fronts - it's harsh 😀😃🙂
I think your describing a coil over set up.
Spoiler!
Or possibly the stock front Macpherson strut.
*Edit* Belay my last. 4th gen not a McPhearson, just similar looking. However, some mfg’s and vendors refer to the front shocks as struts. So when shopping it’s potato/puh-ta-toe.
Last edited by Y2K_Frenzy; 05-12-2022 at 05:56 PM.
@madmike9396 I'm not up on best spring rates for drag racing.
I've read of folks taking the stock #114 rate rear springs into the 1.3x 60 foot range and the Strano #150 rate rear springs to the 1.5x 60 foot range.
I think the 110# rate rears should be good drag racing to ~ 1.3x 60 foot times.
@madmike9396 I'm not up on best spring rates for drag racing.
I've read of folks taking the stock #114 rate rear springs into the 1.3x 60 foot range and the Strano #150 rate rear springs to the 1.5x 60 foot range.
I think the 110# rate rears should be good drag racing to ~ 1.3x 60 foot times.
I’m kind of taken back by what seems to me like relatively low OEM spring rates. I get that an oem uses “softer” springs for NHV issues, but 114# seem extremely low when compared to a ‘95 Mustangs 165-265 variable rate oem rears. I’m not knocking the Fbody’s handling (stock for stock I believe it out handles the ‘95 Mustang), I’m just curious why are they so low (the spring rate) and how are they able to get away with being low and still handling as well as it does? I’m assuming it’s due to the three link rear vs the Mustangs four link?
Hyperco makes Stranos springs? I could swear he said his springs are made in Germany.....and Hyperco is a American company
Strano's website lists Hyperco for his 4th Gen springs. It's in @Y2K_Frenzy link above.
Beside's Strano's springs can't be made in Germany because:
1) they are affordable
2) they work properly
3) they aren't over engineered, ridiculously complex and failure prone
None of the hallmarks of German automotive Engineering are present 🎁 😉
05-02-2022, 11:25 AM
4th gen shocks ?s 
