Tinman Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I have over 104k miles on my '05 Legacy Wagon GT. Wish I had the money to by Koni's or Bilsteins but I just had the timing belt done. Anyone have any comments on these struts? I am looking to do springs as well. Recommendations? I was thinking either Cobb or Swifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirteemac Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I got a set of these waiting to go on my forester. Heard nothing but good things about 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactojesse Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Did you see this recent thread? http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118271 KYB GR-2s are low-pressure struts/shocks that are typically billed as original equipment replacements, not necessarily a performance upgrade. I would imagine that they are roughly analogous to the stock KYB dampers. If you're going to go w/ aftermarket springs, use one that is designed to work w/ the KYB/stock LGT struts and tophats such as the Eibachs, Rallitek, or Cobb springs. Swifts are designed for use w/ Bilsteins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronemus Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 The GR-2s I put on my '02 LGT are significantly stiffer than the OEM shocks and went a long way toward taming the suspension; no more wallowing before taking a set in turns. Although not high-tech or high-end, they are definitely a performance option. If your car will be a daily driver, consider keeping the stock springs as I did to maintain ride height to deal with obstacles and snow, and go with stiffer sways to keep the car flat in corners. Adding more bar in the back than the front will also make the car understeer less and raise the limits for hard cornering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devobuzz Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 GR-2's have a bad rep for performance applications. They are an OEM replacement shock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjmsdrum00 Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 i had the GR2s on my 98 legacy with eibachs and they were significantly stiffer than the stock struts. Not too stiff for daily driving, but i noticed a difference. i would get them again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantomas Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I believe the GR2s only feel more stiff because they're brand new, compared to the stock struts which probably have 60k+ miles on them.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronemus Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 I believe the GR2s only feel more stiff because they're brand new, compared to the stock struts which probably have 60k+ miles on them.... I replaced my OEMs at 30k miles/3 years (no real wear) and the difference was dramatic; the car had NEVER handled that well before!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devobuzz Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Oh and I had a set of GR-2's on the wife minivan too. Right from the KYB website: "The GR-2 restores a vehicle's orginally designed performance". "The Gas-a-Just is designed to increase vehicle perfomance and stability" The GR-2 is not a performance strut, the Gas-a-Just is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sactojesse Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 Oh and I had a set of GR-2's on the wife minivan too. Right from the KYB website: "The GR-2 restores a vehicle's orginally designed performance". "The Gas-a-Just is designed to increase vehicle perfomance and stability" The GR-2 is not a performance strut, the Gas-a-Just is. That's consistent w/ my understanding. I've using KYBs for years on old air-cooled VWs and my Nissan truck. The GR-2s have always been a low-pressure gas shock/strut, i.e., a performance ride compromise, and the Gas-A-Just is a performance high-pressure gas shock/strut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanB Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 I have the externally adjustable KYB AGX on my other car, they are a nice unit. As others have stated, the GR2 is a OE replacement strut, not an upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrownBoy Posted September 16, 2009 Share Posted September 16, 2009 GR-2s are def. OEM replacements. Just ordered a set for a Toyota Previa this morning. They are definitely a lot cheaper than OEM struts also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I believe the GR2s only feel more stiff because they're brand new, compared to the stock struts which probably have 60k+ miles on them.... Absolutely. I've seen a ton of tire reviews on tire rack about how what are known to be crappy tires are "OUTSTANDING" or "Way better than my old ones" or "Holds the road amazingly" Meanwhile they just came of a set of tires that have 40-50k miles on them. Even the worst NEW tires will be better than old ones! -mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Our take on struts for the Subies... GR2s- Stock Replacements AGX- Nice bump for Auto-x and street performance, adjustability is nice especially if you drive civilians in your car often. Tokico D Specs- A step up from the AGXs very nicely constructed units. Konis- Top notch adjustable struts best thing short of going to coilovers for street, auto-x or track applications. Bilstiens- Great struts, but lack the adjustability of the Konis so I'd rate these as the best non-adjustable setup you can get. -mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamarocket630 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 If you want your car to ride similarly (maybe slightly stiffer) than it was when new, the Gr-2's are a good choice. THEY ARE NOT a performance strut, and you won't be happy for tracks days or any serious auto crossing. Having said that, I had a set on my previous street driven only legacy and liked them. They also seem to hold up better than the OE struts IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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