I need struts on my '99 Intrepid ES and wanted something that's "better than stock" quality but will not give me a harsh ride. My friend at the speed shop I frequent for the Chevelle recommended KYB struts, but someone at work told me that KYB would be too stiff. From the website it appears that they're just a direct replacement part; not necessarily a perfomance unit.
Does anyone have experience with KYB and their products?

Plenty of us have and are running them on the chevelles and opinions vary widely. I thought they were a bit stiff and they are known as "kill your back". I dont see a 99 intrepid as much of a performance vehicle so not sure you want to go expensive or big on it. I was happy with monroes on my last car but with my drivers I opt for stock replacements from the dealer or online when I can. I have harsh ride in my truck, stiff ride in the chevelle (if and when it goes back) so I want comfort on at least one of my cars.

KYB's are cheap enough to try and if you dont like them sell em on craigs list. I think the too stiff argument is a personal deal. Might be too stiff for someone like me on a long ride with a bad lower back but somebody else might like it. Suspension is like women - some like one type, some like others, some like loose and cushy, some like...well, you get the picture. in the eye, or in this case arse and back of the beholder.

Never had a failure with the KYB's, never a serious complaint but I rode in a bilstein and edelbrock equipped chevelles and felt the difference immediately. You get what you pay for, or so I have been informed. :D

Plenty of us have and are running them on the chevelles and opinions vary widely. I thought they were a bit stiff and they are known as "kill your back". I dont see a 99 intrepid as much of a performance vehicle so not sure you want to go expensive or big on it. I was happy with monroes on my last car but with my drivers I opt for stock replacements from the dealer or online when I can. I have harsh ride in my truck, stiff ride in the chevelle (if and when it goes back) so I want comfort on at least one of my cars.

KYB's are cheap enough to try and if you dont like them sell em on craigs list. I think the too stiff argument is a personal deal. Might be too stiff for someone like me on a long ride with a bad lower back but somebody else might like it. Suspension is like women - some like one type, some like others, some like loose and cushy, some like...well, you get the picture. in the eye, or in this case arse and back of the beholder.

Never had a failure with the KYB's, never a serious complaint but I rode in a bilstein and edelbrock equipped chevelles and felt the difference immediately. You get what you pay for, or so I have been informed. :D
Thanks, Beaux. Forgive my ignorance, but are you saying that the KYBs were stiffer than the Bilstein & Edlebrock?

Thanks, Beaux. Forgive my ignorance, but are you saying that the KYBs were stiffer than the Bilstein & Edlebrock?

Perhaps more "bone jarring" over bumps. Bilsteins rode great AND handled great, edelbrocks seem like good shocks but some state that the handling can be unpredictable due to them softening and stiffening depending on driving and road conditions. Course, on our Chevelles this has a lot to do with spring rates and other factors which is why for the daily I always go with stock replacements and try to retain to factory ride since I dont want to get into that on my daily drivers and tweaking suspension. I ran KYB's and have ridden in buddies cars with the bilsteins and yes, the KYB's were stiffer all around but that didnt equate to better handling. Bilsteins that I have ridden in had both a nice ride and great handling. Never run the KYB's on newer vehicles but on the chevelle they were stiff, all the time, and on long(er) trips that got old.

I dont think that they are bad, just depends on what you are looking for and your budget.

Cool. I appreciate your input. I think I'm going to stick with Monroe SensaTrac and call it a day.

I think KYB quality level shocks (I may be wrong). I know I ran a set of KYB gas-adjusts (their most popular and cheapest) on my Chevelle several years ago. When I switched to Bilsteins, it was a world of difference in ride quality. Firm, but nice ride.

On the '94 Impala SS I had, a previous owner installed Monroe's upfront (I don't recall the model), and the original DeCarbon's were still in rear. I switched to Bilsteins, and man it was sweet. That's what made me get Bilsteins for the Chevelle.

I've read Monroe has a better quality shock than their base model, which some people have given good reviews on.

I'd stay away from KYB's IMO, based on my own experience.

I think KYB quality level shocks (I may be wrong). I know I ran a set of KYB gas-adjusts (their most popular and cheapest) on my Chevelle several years ago. When I switched to Bilsteins, it was a world of difference in ride quality. Firm, but nice ride.

On the '94 Impala SS I had, a previous owner installed Monroe's upfront (I don't recall the model), and the original DeCarbon's were still in rear. I switched to Bilsteins, and man it was sweet. That's what made me get Bilsteins for the Chevelle.

I've read Monroe has a better quality shock than their base model, which some people have given good reviews on.

I'd stay away from KYB's IMO, based on my own experience.

As an aside - Alans car is one of the vehicles I make reference to above that sold me on these shocks. rode in that impala too - and yup, damn skippy, both rode and handled like champs. His Chevelle rides better than my 00 Chrysler 300M.