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KYB Excel-G vs GR-2 - interesting discussion with KYB tech.



92bird said:
I ordered the struts from AJUSA.. The Excel-G's were about $266 with free shipping from there. They were in stock too, unlike the vogtland springs. Very comparable in price to the GR-2's.

Just look them up for a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo, and cGhoose the "w/special handling package" and you'll find them.

I have the struts in hand, i'll take some pics tonight and post them. They look just like the silver GR-2's except they are black and say "Excel-G" on them.

Jeramie
Click to expand...

So does anyone have any clue if the excel g's will fit on my 06 gp?
 
rear struts are the same. front struts are the same. they are not side specific unless im completely retarded.
 


When I was on KYB's website, there is a specific section describing the difference between the GR-2's and Excel-G's. The difference is nothing other than the color, it says..
 
Content with my KYB AGX Struts with vogtland springs. (Kinda think i should of spent an extra 200$ on coilovers... hmm
 


06grandprix93 said:
When I was on KYB's website, there is a specific section describing the difference between the GR-2's and Excel-G's. The difference is nothing other than the color, it says..
Click to expand...

matt5112 said:
Previously I was told that excel-G's are what they're trying to replace the name "GR-2" with.
Click to expand...

That's certainly what the site makes it sound like...


Covering The Globe

Why are more KYB products arriving as the black Excel-G instead of the previous silver GR-2?

To provide you with a product that appears more like OE products around the world, our current silver GR-2 products are transitioning to black Excel-G products.

The manufacturing process and all of the components used to make the Excel-G Shocks and Struts are identical to those used in the the GR-2.​

KYB America LLC Shocks & Struts | For Service Professionals | GR-2. Excel-G Color Change Information

So....I presume the Excel-G part has nothing to do with the struts being better than GR-2s for lowering applications, and it's more of an issue that the specific model numbers given to the OP were designed for the lower ride height/different spring rate FE4 special handling package? Is it confirmed that the newer Impalas/MCs with this package have a 10mm lower ride height? And does anyone know the stock spring rates for that package? Want to see how they compare to the Vogtlands.
 
good thing i didnt pull the trigger on them yet... the ssc's might be sitting in the box for awhile till a decent priced strut option becomes available
 
who cares if they are the same. they will work fine, especially with some not even lowering the car SSCs...
 
Ok so if i'm understanding this correctly the GR2's and the Excel's are identical except for the color. We just need to use the ones of a Monte due to them being a slightly different component to accomodate a lower car. Is this correct?
 


The monte ss has the fe4 special handeling package. I had a thread up asking about the suspension, do a search for fe4 suspension
 
Bio248 said:
who cares if they are the same. they will work fine, especially with some not even lowering the car SSCs...
Click to expand...

I wouldn't go stating "they will work fine" as fact considering how many people with GR-2 + Vogtland or SSC spring combos would beg to differ with you. There are plenty of complaints of those struts wearing out around 10k miles with lowered springs, even with ones as mild as Vogtlands/SSCs.



4THGENCAMAROFAN said:
Ok so if i'm understanding this correctly the GR2's and the Excel's are identical except for the color. We just need to use the ones of a Monte due to them being a slightly different component to accomodate a lower car. Is this correct?
Click to expand...

More specifically, MCs and Impalas with the FE4 suspension package, which I believe started in '04. As to whether they'll accommodate a drop better or not, that's what we're trying to figure out now. Still need more details on exactly what the FE4 package entails. I've been digging around the net for info, but there's not much out there, even in the MC community. I did, however, find this on a thread...


I e-mailed KYB and got this response:

Are the 339015 and 339148 GR-2 struts structurally the same as the 334227 and 334228 struts? Meaning, is everything on the strut itself the same between the two models?

No they are different in length, mounting and mouniting rates.

If I was to get coil springs to drop my car around 1.5” can I use the GR-2s without voiding the warranty or do I have to use the AGX struts?

If you modify your suspension with any springs non-oe design... this will void the warranty whether you use AGX or GR-2.​

FE3 vs. FE4 Suspension - Page 2 - Monte Carlo Forum - Monte Carlo Enthusiast Forums


Apparently, the location of the perch-mount and such is different, too if you read through the rest of that thread. So this raises another question about fitment, though I can't see it being so different that they won't fit. I know it was mentioned that the FE4 struts are needed to clear the bigger wheels.
 
I love strut manufacturers.... Its plain as day that it'd void the warranty.

If you wanted custom valved struts for your car because you tracked it... I wonder what they'd say....
 
even if the Excel's are made for the FE4 suspension. They still arent going to be any better with lowering springs...

Just stick with the AGXs
 
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