KYB vs Koni

[manga_blue]

They do not adjust ride height only damping. From miata.net, here are the damping rates relative to stock (US) damping rates for the NAs (8 settings) and NBs (4 settings).

Setting
NA
NB

1
5% softer
Same as factory

2
Same as factory
15% firmer

3
7.5% firmer
72% firmer

4
15% firmer
123% firmer

5
43.5% firmer


6
72% firmer


7
97.5% firmer


8
123% firmer

[Okibi]

I'd go Koni over KYB and Tein over both

[Slugoid]

I've got Koni's on now and I'm quite happy with them, considering the price I got them for (2nd hand, rebuilt to original specs). Good thing about the Koni's is that they are height adjustable, while the KYB's aren't. For those who say it's easier to adjust setting on the KYB, well, I tend to disagree. I had KYB's (not AGX's) on the my car before and they also have a knob on the struct. It's a pain to reach under the car and turn the knob, especially the front structs. With the Koni's, open the bonnet, open the boot and I can do 4 corners in less than a minute without getting my hands dirty. The struct tops in my boot are all exposed so that's probably why I'm finding it easy.

Only thing I don't like about the Koni's is that it's a little too harsh on public roads, even at the softest setting. Maybe it's because of my King springs, or the fact that it doesn't have control over the compression dampening I'm not quite sure. On track however, they are awesome.

If KYB's can be had for under $500, I'd probably go for them too. Either way, Koni or KYB, you really can't go wrong.

[Mick93]

We seem to have this debate a lot don't we. On the street you usually set your suspension once. The bigger issue is your springs and not the dampeners. The hard thing is finding a spring that will do the job you want over the dampener. Most adjustable dampeners will adjust to where you want them. So then it becomes a question of reliability. I have used Koni, Spax and
KYB products before and never had significant problems with any of them. Even the stock dampeners are of very good I got 170 000kms out of mine which would be unheard of in most cars but common in MX5s which shows the
quality of the product.
I have King springs in my car and would rate them only Ok for the street. There low speed bump abillity is very limited this is due to design they are made more like a \"Track Spring\" where it is not important to have low speed bump controll this makes it not as comfortable driving it on the street.
Good luck finding the right combo for you

[StanTheMan]

to be truthfull......i havent touched my setup in a whie......I couln't be bothered anymore. I think i've had my konis fitted for at least 7 years.

The only time i've had to adjust them recently is when i changed sway bars.....which threw out the whole ballance of the car. Thjanks to adjustabilitie.....it was fixed promptly.

which one is better......I have no idear....never knowingly dríven on the KYB's

[JSE]

just ordered the Kyb agx...hope tog et them in about 7 days...

[~Noddy~]

Hey JSE,
no doubt you'll probably want to show off your new toys once they're in, so I\"ll be looking forward to those pix - but when you do the swap, could you please measure any height change (tire-to-guard) compaired to stock? I'm curious to whether the car will rise, remain similar, etc...
Thanks a heap!

[rodent]

Hey JSE,
no doubt you'll probably want to show off your new toys once they're in, so I"ll be looking forward to those pix - but when you do the swap, could you please measure any height change (tire-to-guard) compaired to stock? I'm curious to whether the car will rise, remain similar, etc...
Thanks a heap!

Height will mainly be a factor of what springs you're using. JSE's got Bilsteins with King springs at the moment and he's got it pretty damned low, so I'm not sure he'll have the info you're after.

As for me - I upgraded from stock suspension to used KYBs and a set of mystery springs, and the car dropped something like 2.5 inches . Centre-to-guard on driver's side is now about 305mm, and with my stock 14" wheels the car practically leaves bits of its chassis at every speed bump

jonno.

[JSE]

As Rodent said Noddy. He should have the information you are after...Will post before and after pics though. You can't lower the car more then 1.25inches on the CLubman Bilsteins otherwise they bottom out. The rear shocks bottom out very easily and so my car sits funny with the rear high and the front lower. I would imagine I will be able to get it much lower with the KYBs so we will have to see if I'm willing to compromise looks for drive-ability.

[rjastra2]

[Spranga]

just ordered the Kyb agx...hope tog et them in about 7 days...

I am very tempted to get some too... have you received and fitted yours yet??? I am keen to hear how it all went

[Boags]

I received mine 9 days after paying, and that was because they were held up in sydney for 3 days...

They are fitted and are great. If you are able to fit them or know someone who can, this is the way to go.

Boags

[JSE]

going on 11 days now and still no shocks...

[Boags]

JSE,

I got a tracking number with mine and could see where they were at all times.

Where is the hold-up?

Boags

[JSE]

I don't have a tracking number because they havn't even replied to any of my emails and didn't answer my call. They have not contacted me at all. NOT HAPPY JAN! and yes i did pay through PayPal