KYB strut name change, GR-2 to Excel-G

[Legacy777]

Some of you may know this, but KYB is eliminating the GR-2 name in favor of the Excel-G name they use outside of the US & Canada. It's still the same strut/shock as the GR-2, just a different name.

Here's a bulletin regarding the change.

http://main.experiencetherave.com/subar ... lletin.pdf

[DLC]

Good to know

[Bender-san]

There have been discussions on multiple forums regarding this change. I have installed both GR-2 and Excel-G dampers into different vehicles, and in some cases there is a clear and distinct difference between the valving of the two. The Excel-G has much softer valving in some vehicle applications than the GR-2. I'm not sure if this applies to the early Legacy chassis or not, but I'm not taking any chances on the Excel-G until I've seen 3rd party dyno plots of each damper.

[Legacy777]

Well I'd like to replace the struts on my 06 Legacy wagon, and the Excel-G's are my only option at this time unless I want to go back to stock.....I'd like just a little stiffer than stock.

Of course when I asked KYB about the damping, they replied it's 10-15% stiffer than stock.

[jamal]

bilstein HDs or konis?

[Legacy777]

I haven't really looked, so when I'm ready to replace them I'll do some more snooping around.

[Bender-san]

Of course when I asked KYB about the damping, they replied it's 10-15% stiffer than stock.

Do you still have your inside source / KYB engineer to talk to? If not, I would not assume that the people on the other end of the phone have any idea about the damping capabilities of either your OEM shocks or their own.

[Bender-san]

Another thought just popped into my head. Have you tried to source the Legacy Spec B suspension parts? Are they any different from what you'd find on a regular turbo Legacy?

[jamal]

the stock spec b bilsteins are pretty popular on legacygt. but I would save my money and go with Bilstein HDs or konis on the 05-09 platform.

Honestly, I'll only recommend GR2s if you have no sporting intentions whatsoever because they are essentially a stock strut. And yes I know they say 10-15% stiffer but I don't believe it would be very noticeable coming from a brand new oem damper.

[Legacy777]

Bender-san,

I can look back through my old emails to see if the original guy I spoke with a couple years back can give me some specific info.

Jamal,

I'm not looking for crazy increase in stiffness, as this would be a daily driver. Once I get the other issues addressed, I'll look into the suspension. The stock suspension has around 93k miles on it, so it's probably not in the best shape, but may not be completely worn. I may start with an upgrade on the anti-sway bar.

[CAV3MAN227]

-I just noticed the name change too as I just put new kyb's on the front of my car. Sadly I got an old boxed strut and a new boxed strut so one is black and the other is silver

-Joe