dampers/shocks are they all the same?

[dac69er]

mine are slacker than a prostitutes knickers so looking to stick a nice fresh set on.

looking at the kyb excel g.

online there seem to be quite a few different types that fit the starlets.
i looked on camskill and they list a set for early ep82s and a different set for later ep82 and ep91.

i thought they were all the same across the years?

can anyone confirm either way what difference there are, if any? dont want to end up getting the wrong ones.

thanks

 

[davehart]

I was aware that the kyb excel g were the same fitment for EP82 and EP91 models?

 

[dac69er]

i just want something basic and easy to get hold of without spending a fortune. i still have the original dampers and as the car is a mk1, you can imagine how old they are!!!!
anything will be an improvement on the saggy things i have now.

i know what camskill have, your post brings nothing to the thread. i want to know if there are any differences between early ep82 and late ep82/ep91 dampers?

 

[5e colin]

to me there is no dif. in the struts itselve , i did hear on toc.irl that some top cups and mounts are difernt ????

i have glanza suspension in my gt and it fits dacer no isseu there

 

[weeJohn]

I put KYB in my first sleeper and they were significantly stiffer, I cant remember the model but they were gas struts.

 

[dac69er]

i have some tein lowering springs so a bit stiffer would be nice to suit.

i have a feeling the difference would be to do with the top mountings, but not much info about related to this.

 

[Rev]

I would say the weight differences between Starlet models is enough to require different shocks for optimal damping to suit each case.
Might be worth checking the Starlet model weights against the camskill damper models and see if they correspond.

As you are thinking of Teins its worth mentioning there can be lowering differences eg the Teins S tech EP91( 95>99 ) lowers 23mm more than the EP82 type3 only ( 89>94) at the front and 10mm more at the rear.
I mention this as I have read of tilt between EP91 and EP82 when changing over stock dampers but maybe it was springs and car weight causing the issue rather than the dampers.

 

[weeJohn]

Pretty sure when you buy shocks they will all come without the top mounts and you transfer them over.

I agree I cant see much difference in damping rates between the years, apart from the EP91 being a bit heavier, some sort of fixing for the ABS sensor wire is about all I can think of.

To be honest Dac, I would be looking for a damper that is available from a motor factors, not a cheap and nasty but not anything that says its uprated. Over the years, anything I tried that claims to be an upgrade for handling turns out to be a brick with a rod sticking out of it. An EP91 UK Starlet direct replacement standard shock would be my choice, with lowering springs they still work well and keeps the daily commute from being a ball shaker.

 

[davehart]

i have some tein lowering springs so a bit stiffer would be nice to suit.

i have a feeling the difference would be to do with the top mountings, but not much info about related to this.

Chassis wise all the EP's are the same shock and top mount wise thorough all the mk's. Glanza models are the same fitment to I do believe. I'd get some good shocks, you don't want to go cheap and nasty on suspension.

Stock application, just go for a set of the KYB's, they are made to OEM spec anywa.

 

[dac69er]

Pretty sure when you buy shocks they will all come without the top mounts and you transfer them over.

I agree I cant see much difference in damping rates between the years, apart from the EP91 being a bit heavier, some sort of fixing for the ABS sensor wire is about all I can think of.

To be honest Dac, I would be looking for a damper that is available from a motor factors, not a cheap and nasty but not anything that says its uprated. Over the years, anything I tried that claims to be an upgrade for handling turns out to be a brick with a rod sticking out of it. An EP91 UK Starlet direct replacement standard shock would be my choice, with lowering springs they still work well and keeps the daily commute from being a ball shaker.

that was the plan mate, as per my first post. just wasnt sure why they had different variants as i thought they were all the same!

kyb excel g are just a step up from the basic kyb. im not after anything amazing, im sure a set of fresh half decent dampers will be miles better than 20+ year old worn out ones

 

[faiscamix]

excel g are a nice choice with some teins on it . I had that set up run on on another chassis and they dressed awsome . On some touge's that we made i could keep up with the 1k's coilover guy's prety easy . With this chassis (my91) i think i will make some old school changes on the rear suspension ( press the bar to change camber) and after to try that set up . I'm getting the same problem (old oil shock ones) but for now the investment (or expenses on my wife's view ) will be for the internals.

 

[Skalabala]

But aren't coil overs cheap in the UK?

 

[faiscamix]

But (resulting in crash at 250km/h) cheap are not safe. We had issues with loosing of grip on the rear end because of too much stifness on those cheap coilovers. Better some tein coils of 200euros than coilovers of 400 or 500. That is my experience on the suspension, never use something just because is cheap, it might be not effective and secure. On the especific case we turboed an honda but the guy didn't want to spend alot in suspension, resulting in loosing rear end and crash on highway. Excel g and tein on the chassis (eg-honda) are not so much expensive and very efective (just you can't adjust them). I bet they will suit wonderfull on the ep chassis.