KYB/Eaton vs Naake coilover kit

[Dobs]

I just ordered 4 KYB gas-a-just with bushings and 2 Eaton coils with 1 1/2 drop for the front. I was very hesitant between the Naake coilover kit they offer for our car.

I made my choice but i'm still not convinced that i made the good choice... lol :depress:

[MOTOWN]

I think you made the right choice based on feedback in reference to the front!

[OleP71Dude]

I just ordered 4 KYB gas-a-just with bushings and 2 Eaton coils with 1 1/2 drop for the front. I was very hesitant between the Naake coilover kit they offer for our car.

I made my choice but i'm still not convinced that i made the good choice... lol :depress:

Wondering if I asked really nice if you would post before and after photos of the car showing the difference in ride height/stance???

Pretty Please??? :)

[Dobs]

Wondering if I asked really nice if you would post before and after photos of the car showing the difference in ride height/stance???

Pretty Please??? :)

Sure i will

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

My KYB's have 100,000 + miles on them. Great Product.

[Krytin]

I got rid of the Naake coil-overs for the KYB/cut OEM coils and will NVER go back!
You made a wise choice!

[Dobs]

I got rid of the Naake coil-overs for the KYB/cut OEM coils and will NVER go back!
You made a wise choice!

What was wrong with the Naake?

[Krytin]

The top and bottom bushings/mounts are incorrect for the application w/nothing but lame excuses from Naake as to why they couldn't supply parts that work.
No springs supplied by Naake work - the top 3 to 5 coils "stack" (compress until they are touching together) while the car is at rest. Going over bumps was an adventure.
The seals on all four shocks (had the rears as well) blew out in less than 12k miles. Naake would rebuild the shocks if I paid for the parts, labor and shipping.

Is that enough?

[BODYMAN]

+1 I also have kyb,s with cut coils ride is 100% better then cut coils/OE shocks.

[Dobs]

Wondering if I asked really nice if you would post before and after photos of the car showing the difference in ride height/stance???

Pretty Please??? :)


Before:
http://pages.videotron.com/webdober/IMG_2792-1.jpg

After:
http://pages.videotron.com/webdober/IMG_2842-1.jpg

I adjusted the rear a tad lower because im pretty sure the front will get down a bit in the next days

[Spectragod]

The top and bottom bushings/mounts are incorrect for the application w/nothing but lame excuses from Naake as to why they couldn't supply parts that work.
No springs supplied by Naake work - the top 3 to 5 coils "stack" (compress until they are touching together) while the car is at rest. Going over bumps was an adventure.
The seals on all four shocks (had the rears as well) blew out in less than 12k miles. Naake would rebuild the shocks if I paid for the parts, labor and shipping.

Is that enough?

Generally speaking, most all performance parts for these cars require modification to fit, and/or to get the desired performance result.

And......... usually there is -0- warranty provided on performance parts.......

[lifespeed]

Generally speaking, most all performance parts for these cars require modification to fit, and/or to get the desired performance result.

And......... usually there is -0- warranty provided on performance parts.......

My experience with Penske has been they stand behind their products. No failures so far, but valving the rears to match the air springs required a redo.

[Spectragod]

I guess I should say, that parts that are spec'd for racing only, usually have no warranty.

Ask Lidio what his warranty is on his motors, just as an example. He will, to a degree stand behind it, but essentially, high performance parts have no warranty.

To say Naake shocks wear out, is like saying I don't get many miles out of my drag radials...... they are not built for mileage. Performance is the goal.

[Krytin]

Generally speaking, most all performance parts for these cars require modification to fit, and/or to get the desired performance result.

And......... usually there is -0- warranty provided on performance parts.......

For over $900 it better bolt right in and work the way they ADVERTISE it to work!
They don't - most people would call it fraud.

And I should get more than 12k miles out of them before the seals blow out on all four shocks.
The bottom line is what Naake sells for these cars is not the correct size or spec.
I'm reminded of an old story about a new suit of clothes for the emperor.

[Spectragod]

For over $900 it better bolt right in and work the way they ADVERTISE it to work!
They don't - most people would call it fraud.

And I should get more than 12k miles out of them before the seals blow out on all four shocks.
The bottom line is what Naake sells for these cars is not the correct size or spec.
I'm reminded of an old story about a new suit of clothes for the emperor.

I don't know what mods you have done to your car, but my experience is that most of the mods, had to be custom fit, and, they were all spendy to begin with.

In a perfect world, the parts would fit and work 100% of the time, unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. Even my Wilwood brake kit required attention to make it to be what I expected, it is a great kit, but it is the starting point, and on the rear, if you don't have the ability or funds to machine parts, then you will be complaining about it as well, as it requires modifications to work 100%.

As far as I am concerned, pretty much every part I bought needed something extra to make it "just right".

[Mr. Man]

I just ordered 4 KYB gas-a-just with bushings and 2 Eaton coils with 1 1/2 drop for the front. I was very hesitant between the Naake coilover kit they offer for our car.

I made my choice but i'm still not convinced that i made the good choice... lol :depress:
Car looks good. I seem to remember some time ago a member did what you did and went back to the stock front shock with the Eaton spring. Might of just been his preference for the "seat of the pants" feel, can't remember.


Please keep us posted on how you like the ride and any issues you may encounter. :)

[MidnitMarauder]

Before:
http://pages.videotron.com/webdober/IMG_2792-1.jpg

After:
http://pages.videotron.com/webdober/IMG_2842-1.jpg

I adjusted the rear a tad lower because im pretty sure the front will get down a bit in the next days

Are those replica wheels or straight off the Stang? Any specs?

[Krytin]

I don't know what mods you have done to your car, but my experience is that most of the mods, had to be custom fit, and, they were all spendy to begin with.

In a perfect world, the parts would fit and work 100% of the time, unfortunately, this is not a perfect world. Even my Wilwood brake kit required attention to make it to be what I expected, it is a great kit, but it is the starting point, and on the rear, if you don't have the ability or funds to machine parts, then you will be complaining about it as well, as it requires modifications to work 100%.

As far as I am concerned, pretty much every part I bought needed something extra to make it "just right".

So you're saying $900 is a good price for four adjustable shocks that need to have all of the mounting bushings refabricated because the ones supplied w/the kit don't fit/work and the springs supplied for the front don't work is ok?
Naake advertises the shocks as direct bolt in units - they aren't.

I know all about the rear Wilwood kit that Todd offers. I spoke w/Todd on the phone for almost two hours about the end play in the rear diff and how to try and eliminate it BEFORE he offered the kit for sale - at least he states in his literature that there is work needed to make it work.

[Dobs]

Are those replica wheels or straight off the Stang? Any specs?

Genuine Ford SVT GT500 2010 forged 19" x 9.5 with +45 offset, they are mounted with the same GT500 tires size (255/40 front and 285/35 rear)

[Dobs]

Car looks good. I seem to remember some time ago a member did what you did and went back to the stock front shock with the Eaton spring. Might of just been his preference for the "seat of the pants" feel, can't remember.


Please keep us posted on how you like the ride and any issues you may encounter. :)

The car handling is 200% better with the KYB/Eaton combo and on my side this is exactly what i was looking for so no way i will go back to stock shock, but its much more harder, if you like soft ride dont get the KYB.

No issue, everything is top quality parts that fits bolt-on. Im very happy with the results (handling and looking).

[Spectragod]

So you're saying $900 is a good price for four adjustable shocks that need to have all of the mounting bushings refabricated because the ones supplied w/the kit don't fit/work and the springs supplied for the front don't work is ok?
Naake advertises the shocks as direct bolt in units - they aren't.

I know all about the rear Wilwood kit that Todd offers. I spoke w/Todd on the phone for almost two hours about the end play in the rear diff and how to try and eliminate it BEFORE he offered the kit for sale - at least he states in his literature that there is work needed to make it work.

I approached every part I used as something that would potentially need modified to work correctly, I was not let down. If I didn't have access to a CNC machine, lathes, etc., it would be a problem, it's not a big deal to me.

Todd does state that in his literature, I eliminated my end play differently than what he had suggested.

SW headers supposedly bolt right on too. As was my trans cooler, my heat exchanger, etc. My catch cans were my own doing, as no one made what I specifically wanted.

The bottom line, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

At this point, $900 for a set of shocks kinda seems like a deal, based on what I have spent on parts. I'll keep using what I have, if it breaks, I'll figure my next plan of action then.

[License2Bill]

The car handling is 200% better with the KYB/Eaton combo and on my side this is exactly what i was looking for so no way i will go back to stock shock, but its much more harder, if you like soft ride dont get the KYB.

No issue, everything is top quality parts that fits bolt-on. Im very happy with the results (handling and looking).
Do you have a part number for the springs? I tried looking on their website and only found Crown Vic and Marquis springs

[Dobs]

Do you have a part number for the springs? I tried looking on their website and only found Crown Vic and Marquis springs

MC5412 (stock replacement)
MC5412-1 (1 inch drop)
MC5412-112 (1 1/2 inch drop)

KYB shocks are:

551602 shock, SM5392 bushings (front)
555603 shock, SM5267 bushings (rear)

[License2Bill]

Thanks! In the bushing kit, do they come with enough for two shocks or do I need to order two of each lot?

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

[Dobs]

Thanks! In the bushing kit, do they come with enough for two shocks or do I need to order two of each lot?

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

Kits are for one shock, so you need 2 front and 2 rear bushing kits.

[clmrt]

Dobs, are you still here?

How's this all working out?

[Dobs]

Sure, will stop hibernating soon... Mother nature is greedy here.

Everything was bolt-on and installation straight forward. Much better handling and car feel lighter without been uncomfortable (best of both world for this car IMO).

Not mentioned in this post you will need to replace the axle bump stops, you can find information here: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=88492

Since I'm just getting tons of thumbs up on the road and positive comments everywhere i go.

[clmrt]

Cool, thanks.

[Logizyme]

I've ran the KYB's on my 2003 CVPI for 3 years/30k and can attest that they are awesome shocks.

For my Marauder build I chose the Naake single F+R kit.

Numbers wise, at 190 for Eaton's, and 260 for KYB's, a total cost of $450 for that setup, the Naake at double the cost at $900.

I've assembled my front coil overs with new upper mounts, but installation to the Marauder is two weeks from now. I will say that the bushing fitment is just fine. The build quality appears top notch as well.

I cannot speak to how well the QA1's will perform or hold up, but if they do as well as the KYB's did I will be happy with the decision, given the fact that I will have complete adjustability of front and rear ride height and dampening, not a predecided height and dampener I have no control over.

I'm not knocking the Eaton/KYB setup, but if your looking for more, like me, I believe the additional cost of the Naake kit acceptable so that I can dial my suspension in to the 8th of an inch and crank up the dampeners at the track.

I'll update after I've driven on the Naake kit a little while.

[Limited360]

Love my Naake setup... ~10,000 miles in total on them in 6 years.

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/10001109_10151943621491784_210 3103126_o.jpg

[Ambitious1]

I know this is an older thread, but are the KYB Gas-a-Just shocks #555603 with the fittings kit #SM5267 still the preferred top choice for the rear shocks? Any more maintenance or improved performance compared to OEM?

[Griso8v]

Hello all, I have not been on the MM.net for years but redoing my '04 to respectable shape. Got the bug again when I bought a 018 Fiesta ST. WHAT A HOOT ! Will share coilover alternatives NAAKE vs. Penske 7500 vs. Viking. Was not going to knock NAAKE (really QA1) but they DON'T LAST !!! Seals blow all around and my fronts siezed. Went thru single and double adjustables. No more. Performance was OK but not for the money.Vikings $650 with thrust bearings, 450# springs, spanners, double. Penske's are more than double the price. Ouch. Just got the Viking at 1/2 the price of the NAAKE kit !!! and look better made and have spherical lower bearing which the lack of on the QA1's I believe kills them due to lateral stresses. I don't agree with the comment of performance + less reliability. Had Bilsteins on my Crown Vic for 140K absolutely no issues lifetime warranty, NO scoring on rod shaft or seal leaks. We'll see about the Vikings. Pics available on request. Posting stuff on brakes, pads, tires and rims as well. Stan

[Griso8v]

PS Viking working on rear shocks, still have the QA1's (leaking) Pensky still to much $$$ but might be the only good alternative if Viking does not come thru. Had KYB Front OEM replacements. SUCK ! even with 10-15% more dampening.