Need new shocks! (Page 1/1)
kevin MAR 25, 11:10 AM
Fellas,
It is time for new shocks🤨, Who has performance shocks, or suggestions on what brand (style?) provides the best choice?
I have a ‘85 SE 5-speed with a V6. The front end has all new polyurethane. The rear end has a Fiero Store sway bar with a West Coast Fiero aluminum cradle mounts. The Fiero also has also a 1” Aadco front sway bar and 17” wheels/tires.
I think KYB’s gas shocks 👀 look good? Can anybody offer or suggest anything else?
Cordially,
Kevin
Spadesluck MAR 25, 03:47 PM
You are pretty much stuck with KYB or Monroe shocks/struts. Unless you build a customs setup. With that said I have a custom front suspension with QA1's and the rears I am using KYB's. I can not say anything bad about the KYB's. I think they are a great shock for the price.
kevin MAR 25, 06:45 PM
Spadesluck,
I thank you for your response. I am currently texting you from Albuquerque. I am at work now and therefore cannot carve out some time to perhaps make a visit to a restaurant/coffee house to discuss Fiero’s!
All my research suggests purchasing KYB’s. I believe I should get the gas shock variety. Do you happen to agree?
Thanks,
kevin
cvxjet MAR 25, 09:32 PM
Just looked at Summit racing- They have the rear struts in KYB Excel-G (Same as GR-2) and for the front shocks they have the KYB Gas-a-Just shock- which is an in-expensive copy of a Bilstein......I have those on the front and had the GR-2s on the back until recently...Switched to Konis but can't say there is a huge difference.

I would recommend these struts/shocks for any Fiero except maybe a track car.

Gas-A-Just front shock; KG4538, price $33.56

Excel G rear Strut; 234005, Price $49.79

Just did a search by part number; Amazon shows the frt Shock for $26.79....The rear strut is down to $45.78 on Amazon...You may get a bit cheaper on Ebay.....

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 03-25-2020).]

kevin MAR 25, 11:07 PM
crjet,
I was hoping you would see and offer your keen insight to my request for new shocks!😊
I KNEW you would good advice to find the answers I need. I think I need the gas-adjust front shocks.[2 of them] I
I like the price too👍.
I believe I’ll get the two front KYB’s shocks tomorrow. If I call you, or text you, can you assist me on the order? Let me know what would be the best time to contact you?
Cordially,
Kevin
kevinsullivan@frontier.com
916-600-6482
Dennis LaGrua MAR 26, 09:28 AM
Be advised that while KYB shocks are of good quality and will improve handling they do ride harder than Monroe or Gabriel shocks. With stock OEM size tires they work well but if you "upgrade" to 17" tires the ride will be harsh.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

cvxjet MAR 26, 12:08 PM
The Fiero's suspension was designed with 5 inch sidewall tires.....going below 4 inch will have a disastrous effect on ride and handling over rough roads. Long ago I decided to never go below 4 inches on the sidewalls; A friend had won a Shelby Charger back in 1984.......He was driving on a clover-leaf and hit a 2x4...stripped the tire off the wheel and caused him to slide off the ramp into the bushes....destroyed the wheel and bent up the front fender and some other stuff. To add to this, my neighbor's son has a 300 with 20s on it, just hit a pothole and completely destroyed two rims!

Another benefit of staying with smaller wheels is less un-sprung weight, and also less rotational mass; I went from heavy 15x7 wheels and BFG tires to VOXX Monza 16x7 wheels and General Tires, losing 3 lbs on each rear and 6 lbs on each front...the difference in performance was amazing- especially the feel of the car and it's ride. Stay light and reap the benefits!

The size tires I went with were used by numerous popular cars back in the 90s and even into the 2000s; 205/55-16s and 225/55-16s...They are available from many manufacturers in a wide variety of types- I prefer General G-Max AS-05s......the weight difference from comparable (Same size) BFGs; 2 lbs on the fronts and 4 lbs on the back tires- but also, the last set of BFGs I had on the car (Just replaced) took almost a POUND of balance weights, while the Generals took only a few ounces....BFG quality is not what it used to be.....

[This message has been edited by cvxjet (edited 03-26-2020).]

Spadesluck MAR 26, 02:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by kevin:

Spadesluck,
I thank you for your response. I am currently texting you from Albuquerque. I am at work now and therefore cannot carve out some time to perhaps make a visit to a restaurant/coffee house to discuss Fiero’s!
All my research suggests purchasing KYB’s. I believe I should get the gas shock variety. Do you happen to agree?
Thanks,
kevin



I agree for sure. Others have suggested this as well. You really can not go wrong with the KYB's. Unless you are trying to build a serious track car you won't be disappointed.
Z3SpdDmn MAR 27, 03:36 PM

quote
Originally posted by cvxjet:

Just looked at Summit racing- They have the rear struts in KYB Excel-G (Same as GR-2) and for the front shocks they have the KYB Gas-a-Just shock- which is an in-expensive copy of a Bilstein......I have those on the front and had the GR-2s on the back until recently...Switched to Konis but can't say there is a huge difference.




quote
Originally posted by Spadesluck:
You really can not go wrong with the KYB's. Unless you are trying to build a serious track car you won't be disappointed.



Really? Sorry, but I wouldn't go selling this advice. I could tell the KYB setup was a problem even before I started working in vehicle dynamics.

With the Gas-A-Just fronts and Excel-G rears, my '88 GT with TFS 1" lowering springs and 17" wheels/tires was considerably underdamped in the rear. Almost frightening when driving in a spirited manner on undulating roads.

I later put adjustable Konis (reds) in the rear and that balanced out the car so that it was at least stable. The front was still less-controlled than I'd prefer, so I just finally put adjustable Konis (reds) on the front, as well. These are in scarce supply, so if you're thinking of going this direction, you should get them now. There's an outfit in New England that bought up the last of the front Koni reds. I can look up the info if you need.

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Anthony

'88 Fiero GT 5-spd "barn find"
www.DriveFasterNow.com

[This message has been edited by Z3SpdDmn (edited 03-27-2020).]