KYB GR-2 VS Monroe Sensa-trac/OESpectrum shocks

[kensmith]

# on the "Monroe" box, 5770 ST. These are the sensatrack shocks I put on my 1978 Spider. I think I got them at Advance Auto here in Muskegon.

That's weird as I took the information off of the Monroe web site. How long ago did you purchase the shocks? Here is the web site:

http://www.monroe.com/catalog/Shock-Selector

Then you type in your year, make, model etc. and they say OESpectrum shocks.

[kensmith]

Another update...................

Monroe tech said the shocks (5769, 5770) were sold under the Sensa-trac name for about 1 year and they changed the shock to accommodate the foreign lighter cars and re-named them to OESpectrum fairly recently. More to come as I am questioning if it was really just a name change or different shock.

[kensmith]

And another update.........

I now have 2 shock vendors telling me the KYB GR-2 are valved a little stiffer than OE. They
both recommend them over Monroe. But recommend Bilstein HD as the best sport shock. I think
I will go ahead with the GR-2 at all 4 corners. After Monroe advised their OESpectrum is fashioned
after the originals for a softer ride I really think that is the determining factor. I will post a followup
after I get the shocks and install them.

[manoa matt]

I'll bet the sensa-track and OE spectrum are the same shocks renamed to revive the product line and pique interest. I bought my sensa-track shocks from Napa in 2006, and I'm pretty sure they were making sensa-track shocks for many years not just one. The KYB"s are a gas filled shock while the sensa-tracks are oil filled so a direct comparison is difficult. I beg to differ, the sensa-track is going to provide a firmer ride than the KYB's.

Yep Bilstein is one of the best, if you can find them and afford the mortgage on them. Spax is also very good. I'm a bit leary of those yellow Konis going around currently. They look an awful lot like a sensa-track painted yellow (which is exactly what I did)

[kensmith]

I'll bet the sensa-track and OE spectrum are the same shocks renamed to revive the product line and pique interest. I bought my sensa-track shocks from Napa in 2006, and I'm pretty sure they were making sensa-track shocks for many years not just one. The KYB"s are a gas filled shock while the sensa-tracks are oil filled so a direct comparison is difficult. I beg to differ, the sensa-track is going to provide a firmer ride than the KYB's.

Yep Bilstein is one of the best, if you can find them and afford the mortgage on them. Spax is also very good. I'm a bit leary of those yellow Konis going around currently. They look an awful lot like a sensa-track painted yellow (which is exactly what I did)

Matt,

They changed them in the last year to the OESpectrum and it is a twin tube gas charged shock now.

[manoa matt]

From the Monroe website descriptions of BOTH the sensa-track AND OE spectrum:
All Weather Fluid: Contains special modifiers to reduce friction and ensure smooth rod reaction.
Nitrogen Gas Charged: For improved ride and handling, helps maintain tire to road contact by reducing aeration.

All the basic features of the shocks are exactly the same, the only difference is the valving.
http://www.monroe.com/products/OESpectr ... -Absorbers
http://www.monroe.com/products/Sensa-Tr ... -Absorbers

If you want to really feel the differences go to Napa and get a monroe and a KYB, pull/push them apart/closed.

I have a set of rear KYB shocks from a parts car, will sell them cheap.

[divace73]

thought i'd pipe here a little, I ended up getting Koni's yellow that I have yet to install from the tire rack at first I ws a bit worried they we not originals as the shock had a Koni sticker only and nothing etched in the shock like Koni's of the past. Not only tire rack but also a local distributer have confirmed a batch did come out with sticker only. They are a great price, only US$90 each if that is in your budget?????
By the way down in Oz we spell tire with a Y, Tyre (spun me out the first time I went to the US and saw billboard advertising tyres and couldn't figure out why it didn't look quite right to me??)

[kensmith]

From the Monroe website descriptions of BOTH the sensa-track AND OE spectrum:
All Weather Fluid: Contains special modifiers to reduce friction and ensure smooth rod reaction.
Nitrogen Gas Charged: For improved ride and handling, helps maintain tire to road contact by reducing aeration.

All the basic features of the shocks are exactly the same, the only difference is the valving.
http://www.monroe.com/products/OESpectr ... -Absorbers
http://www.monroe.com/products/Sensa-Tr ... -Absorbers

If you want to really feel the differences go to Napa and get a monroe and a KYB, pull/push them apart/closed.

I have a set of rear KYB shocks from a parts car, will sell them cheap.

Matt,

They don't make the Sensa-trac for Fiat anymore and changed them to OESpectrum. Type in your 1978 Fiat on their web site and they only come up with OESpectrum. Like I said the Tech told me they changed them about 1 year ago.


Here is the latest email I received from the tech:


Technically regardless of what the box say the 5769 and 5770 will have the
OESpectrum technology because we changed the valving last year under the
Sensa Trac name.

For further questions or assistance, please contact technical assistance at
734-384-7809 M - F 8:30am - 5:30pm EST.

Monroe Team Member,

[dantye]

Another update...................

Monroe tech said the shocks (5769, 5770) were sold under the Sensa-trac name for about 1 year and they changed the shock to accommodate the foreign lighter cars and re-named them to OESpectrum fairly recently. More to come as I am questioning if it was really just a name change or different shock.

You can get a set of 4 - 2-FR; 2-R, of these exact Monroe Shocks on-line TODAY ONLY for under $75 + sales tax with free shipping. Just use the 20% off code at the top of their Web Site. I just ordered them. Must be better than 32 year old shocks? We will see ...

[fiat218]

I've got KYBs on my car and it corners pretty well. Ask any of the other So Cal members that have gone on canyon runs with me

I'd love to go thru the canyons ,I'm a dare devil, speed thru