KYB Excel-G shocks/struts - diff from GR-2?

[The Critic]

I'm getting ready to order 8 KYB Excel-G shocks and struts for various imports (Prius, Elantra, Previa).

Although KYB insists that the change to the Excel-G model name was for a rebranding campaign only, one trusted vendor on NASIOC has found that the Excel-G strut for WRXs to be much stiffer than the former GR-2. I also read one comment somewhere that the Excel-G for their application was much softer than the former GR-2.

Have any of you noticed differences in the Excel-G struts in comparison to the former GR-2?

Thanks.

 

[quint]

I've seen plenty of talk on various car forums about the differences between the Excel-G's and the GR-2's and it seems to mirror what you said about them. Some say they are softer, some say they are more firm.

I dont have any experience with the Excel-G version (yet), but I do have the GR-2's on my 240sx and I can tell you that even two years later, they are still rock solid firm. And when I say firm I mean WAY more firm than the two OEM sets I had previously. They are supposed to be 'OEM replacements' but in my case at least, the set I received were much more firm.

 

[SLCraig]

For Saturn at least, they are the same.
I don't know why they have a different name, but they're the same as far as I could tell. (I have used them)

 

[meep]

that makes me nervous. KYB is one of those brands I'd buy if I knew someone else that used them. They make a lot of oem stuff.... and the last time I used GR2, branded as oem-like.... they were both stiffer on smooth surfaces AND more compliant when it got rough. It was an impressive little shock. It would corner tight and hard, yet float right over a rock or sharp bump.

BUT, oem they were not. and that great stiffness on the smooth stuff was a little too much for 2+hours / day commute.

it sounds like they are going to a model where each shock fits more applications, with less individual tuning. THAT makes me nervous-- you don't know what you are getting.

I've found it hard to find a middle-of-the-road damper. They are either soft and flabby or rock hard.

Best combo I've run into recently was monroe reflexes for the minivan. AFTER they broke in, which took months, that thing is a joy to drive. BUT, monroe reflexes in my jeep GC, while a good improvement over oem, was a little harsh before they'd open up and allow things to move, like speed bumps. Still, for larger vehicles, they are my current fav.

The tundra in my sig has oem bilsteins. they are still leak-free at 113000 miles and stiff. Almost too stiff for me, but they certainly can't be accused of wearing out quickly.

 

[sparky123]

From what I read on the internet, the GR-2's were made in Japan and the newer Excel's ? Recently changed out the rear shocks on the wife's 05' Focus and I personally find the ride a little too firm. If I had to do it over I would not of chosen the GR-2's for this application. On my 97' Previa, many yr's ago replaced the OEM struts w/Monroe Sensa-Trac's. Fantastic ride and handling blend. Sorry no experience comparing the GR-2's and Excel's.

 

[Towncivilian]

I thought they were identical? I ended up one of each on my Pathfinder. I ordered GR-2s from RockAuto and got one GR-2 and one Excel-G. As far as I can tell they're identical in performance.

 

[PandaBear]

GR2 was silver, Excel G is black to give it a more OEM look. I think they are at the moment just the same but they may change in the future (i.e. make in China or Mexico) over time.

 

[Kool1]

I purchased GR2's for a Honda CRV and a Toyota Highlander. The GR2's for the Highlander were silver and made in Japan. The GR2's for the Honda CRV were black and made in Taiwan.

 

[The Critic]

OK, I've received the front Excel-G struts for the Previa and they are Made in Japan. I was shocked, since I was expecting the black-colored struts to be made in the USA or taiwan. I cannot comment on their performance since I have not had a chance to install them.

 

[artbuc]

KYB told me their aftermarket struts are designed to be stiffer than OEM to compensate for wear in the suspension.

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
OK, I've received the front Excel-G struts for the Previa and they are Made in Japan.


As are the Excel-Gs I put on my Cobalt.

I've used the GR-2s in the past but unfortunately not on this car so I cannot comment on which is stiffer. Both are stiffer than what came from the factory. I especially notice it on the Cobalt. Stiff enough that I may go with something closer to a stock strut on our Impala which is due for new struts this year.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
OK, I've received the front Excel-G struts for the Previa and they are Made in Japan. I was shocked, since I was expecting the black-colored struts to be made in the USA or taiwan. I cannot comment on their performance since I have not had a chance to install them.


Does it have a manufacturing date on it? It may be from old inventory with a new sticker.

Usually it is not worth building aftermarket product elsewhere if you already have the tooling for the original near the final assembly point. So if your previa was made in Japan, and they discontinued it (or have new model that use a different strut), they will not waste the effort outsource it to USA, China or Taiwan.

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: artbuc
KYB told me their aftermarket struts are designed to be stiffer than OEM to compensate for wear in the suspension.


They say that's why they're stiffer, but I think that's just a story to cover for not having very specific vehicle model calibration. How do they know how worn a suspension is just because you are replacing the struts? I question how much suspension friction is a factor in shock valving selection on just a broke-in suspension vs a "worn" one.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: artbuc
KYB told me their aftermarket struts are designed to be stiffer than OEM to compensate for wear in the suspension.


They say that's why they're stiffer, but I think that's just a story to cover for not having very specific vehicle model calibration. How do they know how worn a suspension is just because you are replacing the struts? I question how much suspension friction is a factor in shock valving selection on just a broke-in suspension vs a "worn" one.


That wouldn't make sense for a large volume vehicle like Camry, Accord, Civic, or Corolla that is sold all over the world. That's enough volume to use the same assembly line previously used for OEM production.

I think the reason has to do with sagging spring too. By the time your strut is worn, your spring is probably a bit saggy as well, and that would means it is now stiffer than new, especially with progressive spring that the softer portion wears out faster than the firmer portion.

 

[mechanicx]

I'm not saying they have to be exactly OEM. They can make them KYB style. They still have to make them fit the different car lines. I don't think it is too much to ask to set the valving close to OE and application specific. But KYB often isn't even close on high volume vehicles.

Spring sag isn't that common and I don't think it changes spring rate much at all. Besides a strut should not cover up for or try to predict for worn/broken suspension parts. It's just a bunch of malarky.

 

[The Critic]

Update: I installed the pair of KYB Excel-G struts on the front of the Previa. They are soft. Although I never rode in this van when it was new, I cannot see this being 10% firmer than the OE strut. The ride did firm up a bit after about 100 miles of driving (strut felt like it needed priming), but the overall ride quality is still much softer than what I expected from KYB.

In addition, the Gas-A-Just shocks seem to have softened up a bit to taut (but not harsh) ride. So, together with the Excel-G, I think they make a good combo. The van feels much more stable.

 

[hattaresguy]

My only experience with KYB was when I swapped them into an old 300SD beater because the stock shocks were 25 years old and finally done. Worst mistake ever, I should have just used 2x4's because that's what it felt like.

KYB= Keep Your Bilsteins!

Sach's are also pretty good.

IMHO buy a good aftermarket shock or stick with OE, I'd only use KYB if it was a car I was selling.

 

[IndyIan]

When I put KYB struts in the back of my Neon, I ordered GR-2's but got the Excel-G's but there was some labeling on the boxes that made it seem like they were the same strut. They were black and slotted.
I put ACR springs in at the time and they are much stiffer but the KYB's seem to keep them in check with no noticeable topping out.
I would put the KYB's in the front without hesitation, they offer a bit more stiffness than OEM, for $10-20 more than mystery struts or the cheap monroes.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Update: I installed the pair of KYB Excel-G struts on the front of the Previa. They are soft. Although I never rode in this van when it was new, I cannot see this being 10% firmer than the OE strut. The ride did firm up a bit after about 100 miles of driving (strut felt like it needed priming), but the overall ride quality is still much softer than what I expected from KYB.

In addition, the Gas-A-Just shocks seem to have softened up a bit to taut (but not harsh) ride. So, together with the Excel-G, I think they make a good combo. The van feels much more stable.


Update again: After some "break-in miles," I am finding that the Excel-G struts are too soft for my liking. They do their job (since the van no longer bottoms out), but the performance is rather unremarkable.

 

[Garak]

Just to let you know, Critic, I put some Gas-a-Just shocks all around in the old F-150. I haven't gotten a lot of miles on them at all, and I have heard harshness complaints about them, but they do seem to be a pretty ideal fit for the truck.