Stock Strut Specs

[Koots]

In my tireless search for suspension optimization, I started going through Gabriel and Monroe spec sheets and decided to put some of those specs up, just for information sake, not that it's all that useful to anyone but a nerd (like me).

1987-1991 Front Struts:
Body Type B13
Body Length 10.563"
Compressed Length 11.000"
Extended Length 17.750"
Travel Length 6.750"

1992-1995 Front Struts:
Body Type B13
Body Length 10.875"
Compressed Length 11.375"
Extended Length 17.500"
Travel Length 6.125"

1996 Front Struts:
Body Type B13
Body Length 10.875"
Compressed Length 11.375"
Extended Length 17.625"
Travel Length 6.250"

Those 1996 specs are from an 08 Monroe Catalog, but their website lists this as the specs:

Body Type B13
Body Length 10.720"
Compressed Length 11.220"
Extended Length 17.610"
Travel Length 6.390"

Anyway, I never knew there were these little differences between them. I'm also not sure why I posted this info, other than for the sake of information and discussion.

[Koots]

These seem to be the same for all the generic replacements. I could only find the extended length of the KYB GR-2 struts which was 44.7cm, which turns out to be 17.598" (or 17.600" for a nice round number), So it may actually seem to limit overall stock length travel.

I'd also like to venture out and say that the 87-91 spec shocks would lend themselves better to a lowered suspension, seeing as how they have a shorter body and shorter compressed length and longer travel than all the other years.

If only KYB would make their information easier to find, I would get the full specs on those too, as they are probably suited even better to lowered suspensions (has it has been proven anyway) but without any specifications, I'm just speculating

[3X00-Modified]

Just send KYB an email they will give you what your looking for. That's how I got all the extended and compressed lengths for the Koni thread on the KYB stuff.

[Koots]

Will do!

It seems GM tried refining the Corsica/Beretta's even further with the 96 year, mostly concentrating on the front end. The specs list a shorter bodied, longer travel shock with a longer spring with ever so slightly thinner wire as well.

Most go for performance, but this might help some who want to keep their rides at stock height or potentially 1" higher (which is why i'm pouring over stock specs LOL).

[3X00-Modified]

Yeah but just remember, all that is thrown out the window if you can't get stock parts... Most aftermarket stuff meets it in the middle to prevent individual car specific parts. Basically why I said to hell with the KYB and went Koni...

KYB made two shocks for the rear, one for FE1 and one for FE3 for my year, but they didn't bother with the front... somewhat disappointing...

[Koots]

Very true, as these specs may just be listed as stock, but not of the actual part itself.