All the shock absorbers I've had experience with were just dampers. The shock would stay at whatever extension you set it at.

I noticed when I was putting a set of KYB Gas A Just shocks on my '84 SE that they go to maximum extension unless physically compressed, which I had to do to install them. I didn't check the car height before, so I'm not sure if there's a noticeable height difference from the additional upward pressure from the shocks.

I also have a pair for my '88 Formula that I haven't installed yet. It takes about 60 pounds of force to compress one, and when held still, about 50 pounds of force is continually exerted by the shock trying to extend. So, I'll have 100 pounds of up-force on the front end. Seems to me that's the up-force the '84 aerodynamics were said to be generating at highway speeds.

That's not what I was expecting or interested in having. I didn't see anything to indicate they were booster shocks...
Anyone else care to comment on their experience?

quote Originally posted by David Hambleton: That's not what I was expecting or interested in having.

You're the first person I think I've ever seen post here stating that they're unhappy about this. I believe the Fiero OEM struts/shocks only resisted on the rebound, whereas all aftermarket struts/shocks offer resistance on compression as well.

Considering that most people are using these aftermarket struts/shocks with 30 year old springs, I don't think the added "up-force" is a bad thing at all.

I quite like the fact that aftermarket (KYB, Monroe Sensa-Trac) shocks/struts helped to firm up the lowered suspension on my '84 and Formula, both of which have been used for autocross.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-04-2015).]

I think what the OP was referring to was the "gas charge" in the shock and yes it will affect the ride height. The gas charge is different from the valving in the shock. I had a set of gas charged shock I put on a truck. They had a strap around them with a warning not to cut the strap until it was installed. This set of shocks raised the truck about an inch.

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quote Originally posted by Patrick: You're the first person I think I've ever seen post here stating that they're unhappy about this. I believe the Fiero OEM struts/shocks only resisted on the rebound, whereas all aftermarket struts/shocks offer resistance on compression as well. Considering that most people are using these aftermarket struts/shocks with 30 year old springs, I don't think the added "up-force" is a bad thing at all. I quite like the fact that aftermarket (KYB, Monroe Sensa-Trac) shocks/struts helped to firm up the lowered suspension on my '84 and Formula, both of which have been used for autocross.

Lol! Don't need boosters...

The '84 SE has 369,000 km on it with no signs of spring fatigue. It sits higher than the Formula and the '86 coupe.
I replaced the shocks during the cross member replacement project. One shock was shot - oil seal gone.

The Formula only has 28,000 km on it; I'm only replacing the shocks because the driver's side shock blew an oil seal.

[This message has been edited by David Hambleton (edited 09-04-2015).]

quote Originally posted by David Hambleton: Lol! Don't need boosters... The '84 SE... sits higher than the Formula and the '86 coupe.

I know all about it. Two coils cut off all around my '84 and it now sits perfect.

ALL Gas shocks and struts will always push out the rod and changes total spring rate.
That can lift the vehicle.

Gas units out perform non-gas types every way.

Many shock/strut makers/vendors no longer make/sells old non gas units for Fiero.
If some vendors sell these then likely NOS parts.

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quote Originally posted by theogre: ALL Gas shocks and struts will always push out the rod and changes total spring rate. That can lift the vehicle. Gas units out perform non-gas types every way. Many shock/strut makers/vendors no longer make/sells old non gas units for Fiero. If some vendors sell these then likely NOS parts.

I wouldn't have bought the KYB shocks if I had known they were boosters. I don't want the Formula raised at all.

I've been hammering my '84 SE daily driver since May '84 without ever feeling like I needed an "upgrade".
I don't think the front shocks have to work very hard considering the load...

I'm not sure if I have all the info correct, but doesn't the front spring rate come in around 200 lbs/inch? If so, Then the change with 50 lbs of up-thrust from the shocks would only equal 1/4"...That isn't a huge amount....I have the KYBs on my 85 SE V6....But the rear is coil over, and the front- I really have no clue what springs I have in there(That's really stupid, isn't it?......Geez...)(I bought- long, long ago- some Eibach lowering springs- installed them and the thing was basically on the bump-stops, so I toook it to the Fiero shop in Hayward and told George I wanted it an inch lower than stock, and he could have those Eibach springs.....I never found out what springs he put in there....)

Anyway, The gas shocks are far superior to regular shocks- the High-pressure gas keeps the fluid in the shock from foaming, so the valves keep the same rate after you've been working the car- old shocks would simply go away, especially on a rough road.