I suppose no one will take me seriously because I sell the KYB AGXs, but they are the ultimate deal compared with the Konis. I used to sell the Konis... Nunca mas!

Here's my overly thorough comparison of the two...

KYBs:

- extremely adjustable, cover road and driving conditions
- externally adjustable, easily done front and rear
- adjustable damping on both compression and rebound strokes
- has proportional valving that reacts appropriately to road ripples but gives you protection against hard bumps
- are full diameter strut bodies
- are plug and play, and the stock ones are intact to put back on the car when you sell it (and sell the AGXs seperately)
- are available 365 days a year
- are sturdy, stand up to coilovers, and are high pressure gas-charged
- sell for $380 (or $345 until Friday 25 Jan)
Oh yes, and they are so superior in every aspect of their ride and handling behavior that there is no comparison with any other strut available for the car
- design basically replicates the adjustable GAB strut, legendary in import racing and selling for $300/corner. In fact, KYB made the GAB under contract in Japan and there was a very messy lawsuit over design infringement when they debuted the AGX line.

Konis:

- adjust all you want, the ride seems perpetually the same
- fronts adjust externally until the little adjustor binds up and stops working (about 1 in 4 in my experience), you have to dissasemble the rears to adjust them, so lets be honest, they are not really adjustable if you can't get at them.
- adjustable damping only affects the rebound stroke (???) -- no matter how much you adjust the bump part of the stroke won't change.
- no proportional valving, just constant jarring nervous bumps over every expansion joint in the roadway and if you hit a really hard bump? Better hope you have some bump stop protection or your struts just became non-adjustable, and that's if you're lucky
- under-size diameter front strut body, cylinder and piston because its not a real strut, its an insert and the whole thing has to fit inside of the stock body. It seems to be a big source of the Koni's shortcomings on the Maxima (I like them on other cars).
- require taking the guts out of the front struts and inserting the Konis, with some pretty messy fluids under pressure. If you need stock struts for resale, you'll have to go out and buy another set.
- are available a few select days a year. Many months go by when you actually cannot find a full set anywhere in the US. The supply line from the Netherlands gets here via Mars.
- have low pressure gas charging, don't seem to stand up well to coilovers or hard bumps. Koni makes loud warnings about lowering and they are very sensitive to bottoming out.
- sell for upwards of $475. Outrageous! Need to get over the mindset that paying more always results in a better product
- Only good point I can think of -- you can custom revalve them to be as good or slightly better than the AGXs and make them truly adjustable too, starting at $500 in addition to the struts themselves!

Sorry about the broadside, its just when I saw something as rediculous as the suggestion that Konis have ANY advantage over the AGXs, much less suggesting that the AGX owners knew Konis were better but were just too cheap to make the right choice, hah!, I had to speak up. I'd do the same if my only interest was the set on my car. The AGXs are fabulous struts. I've owned the Konis, I've sold the Konis, there are cars I'd only put Konis on, but not the Maxima. Konis on a Maxima are lousy -- just my opinion, but they're still lousy.

Brian C. Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Price for price the AGX are probably the better buy...

I don't agree on the not noticing a difference on the settings... With over 30K miles... I can still notice a huge difference... and I've haven't had any problems with my adjustment **** binding up.

 

I also feel differences on the settings too. no problems with the **** either. Only time will tell

 

so the lawsuit was the reason they kept stalling the available date. thanks for the review Brian.

 

Actually no, the legal issues were apparently resolved some time before the AGXs for the Maxima came out. These have been available for other cars for maybe three years. [Legal issues came up over the similarity of the design to the GAB, and were not specific to the Maxima application.]

Brian C. Catts
Cattman Performance

 

Thanks Brian. That's excellent sticky info material.

 

wow - u really cleared things up for me.....honestly speaking i have never used the AGX, but i thout the koni's were pretty good though

 

I'm getting AGX's They just seem better in every way. Thats my 2 cents worth

 

Do these just bolt on or do you have to make mods to your car for them to fit? Do they lower the car any or do I also have to purchase springs?

 

They fit right on. The Konis have to be adjusted to work.

SuDZ

 

- have low pressure gas charging, don't seem to stand up well to coilovers or hard bumps. Koni makes loud warnings about lowering and they are very sensitive to bottoming out.




Well no problem with my koni shocks here at all and I have cut front coils. Kybs are externally adjustable thats a bonus on KYB side, but if KYB are better then konis and are cheaper then Konis why do we have a couple of people complaining about your coilover kit and the high price to pay? not to pist you off sir but KYB $380.00 plus Groundcontrols $430, plus Cusco or Stillen Camber plates $313.00 grand total =$1,123.00 Vice $1,800.00 ..

I have a set of coilovers, this summer I will install them and put them to the test, I am very picky so I will get back to everyone on ride quality etc.

 

I have Koni struts...Never had a problem with the adjustor binding up, and I do notice a difference between settings.

However, I have one that is blown, and in the process of being returned.

I think I'm going to get AGX's to go with the GC coilovers that I'm going to be installing in the spring...

Not sure yet...

 

Please do this through e-mail. And make an attempt at being polite.

 

Do the AGX come with lifetime warranty? Curious.

 

Couldn't agree more with brian. I got my agx's when they were first released and i love them!!

 

you're in for a rude awakening if you think the gc coilovers will perform and ride as well as cattman's 2nd gen coilovers.

 

I've probably sold more coilovers to people taking the GCs off their cars than to people putting coilovers on for the first time. The primary reason for the difference in price (and VALUE) with ours is the very complex overtower mounts/camber plates in front and raised mounts with monoballs in the rear. Standard with my kit, options or (more often) unavailable on others. These are heavily machined (literally hours of CNC machine time), large billet parts, thrust bearings, etc. that do not even exist on the coilover products you mention below.

These aren't obvious differences to those not familiar with the Cattman product so your question is a good one, but look at the pictures on my website (Cattman.com), with particular attention to the raised over-tower mounts, etc. Plus we use a lot of components, like our threaded sleeves (square cut threads, hard anodized), that are superior to some of the budget-priced equipment.

Also, I wrote my comments somewhat tongue-in-cheek about the Konis, its not that they're that bad at all, and hey! for a long time they were the best strut available for the Maxima, no doubt about it. I just cannot think of a single feature about them that is superior to the AGX. Since the AGXs are about 20% less expensive, why even consider the Konis?

Finally, didn't seem right to put it in my original comments, but I've got the AGXs on sale for three days (ends Friday) for the lowest price I've seen, $345/set. Call 800.795.1513 to order.

Brian C. Catts
Cattman Performance

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cattman
[B]I've probably sold more coilovers to people taking the GCs off their cars than to people putting coilovers on for the first time. The primary reason for the difference in price (and VALUE) with ours is the very complex overtower mounts/camber plates in front and raised mounts with monoballs in the rear. Standard with my kit, options or (more often) unavailable on others. These are heavily machined (literally hours of CNC machine time), large billet parts, thrust bearings, etc. that do not even exist on the coilover products you mention below.

These aren't obvious differences to those not familiar with the Cattman product so your question is a good one, but look at the pictures on my website (Cattman.com), with particular attention to the raised over-tower mounts, etc. Plus we use a lot of components, like our threaded sleeves (square cut threads, hard anodized), that are superior to some of the budget-priced equipment.

Also, I wrote my comments somewhat tongue-in-cheek about the Konis, its not that they're that bad at all, and hey! for a long time they were the best strut available for the Maxima, no doubt about it. I just cannot think of a single feature about them that is superior to the AGX. Since the AGXs are about 20% less expensive, why even consider the Konis?

Finally, didn't seem right to put it in my original comments, but I've got the AGXs on sale for three days (ends Friday) for the lowest price I've seen, $345/set. Call 800.795.1513 to order.

Brian C. Catts
Cattman Performance
So which one will cost me the least meaning not having to buy all this extra stuff?

 

Sir if I was rude in anyway to you in anyway I apologize I was only asking a question etc.. if it sounded rude in any way once again my apologies, I did not downgraded your product in anyway I myself have purchased your Y pipe and your engine mounts and The quality of your Y Pipe is Superb I still have to install the engine mounts but once again sir as a 26 year person to you I apologize.

Jaime

 

So which one will cost me the least meaning not having to buy all this extra stuff?

 

how much will it be after the 25th? im kind of tight with money right now

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by blakkrob
[B]NOW THAT FU(king sucks...i just paid 375 for mine!!!!

 

JAY25 is rather helpful on the forum when it comes to sharing his lowering experience on his Max. I'm sure he meant no disrespect in any way to the Cattman line of products. If I had the $$$, I'd go for the Cattman coilovers too

But since I'm broke as heck, I'll have to get GCs ... don't feel confident with WeaponRs even though pawn has had good experience with em.

I was wondering if I'll need spring compressors to install GCs and AGXs. Can I just remove the spring & shocks/strut or will I need spring compressors somewhere along the install process.

Also, no one actually got back to NISMO808's q about the warranty. I'm curious too ... Konis have a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser, what about AGXs?

Thanks

 

I have purchased KYB AGX's from Cattman a while ago, and I just recently got my B&G springs in...so I can't wait to put them on. Hopefully this weekend!!!

 

So once again, do the the KYB AGX's come with a lifetime warranty or is that a stupid question?

 

The AGX's have a one year limited warranty. Honestly if you had a failed strut, what would you run on besides buying another one? Tokico's lifetime warranty requires you to send the defective part in, and wait for them to determine if its defective, then decide if you get a replacement. That will take weeks! Far too long to make the convenience of a lifetime warranty useful at all. I have a feeling Koni's policy may be similar.

 

This is the warranty statement from www.shox.com

Most of the manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty to the original purchaser on their products. We have excellent relationships with these suppliers and can facilitate any warranty and sending it in claims. Rather than removing the part from the car (leaving it un-driveable), most people purchase the replacement with the understanding that they'll be refunded once the manufacturer approves the warranty and sends us a new part. It is always your option to deal with the manufacturer direct instead.

Sounds like they don't require the defective part till it's actually time to swap. Atleast that's what I gather from that statement.

 

Spring compressors needed for coilover & KYB combo install?

Can I remove the stock springs & shocks/struts as an assembly and not worry about spring comprtessors, or will I need it at some point? Wondering what I'll need to do it myself.

 

You can take the entire assembly off the car without a compressor, but once you get it off the car you'll need a compressor to get the hardware off the factory stuff that you'll need, like the upper strut mount and strut bearing, etc.

You can get a compressor for free at PepBoys. $50 refundable deposit.

 

If you've never done it before, get a spring compressor. It's safer. I don't bother anymore because after doing it for like the 5th or 6th time, you know what happens when you remove the top nut that holds it all together.

 

How do you compress the springs going on the car (to put the upper mounts and hardware on)?

 

BOING!!!!

What's this thing sticking out of my right eye???

 

When I had my Intrax, it was low enough that I just pushed down a little and it went right on. With the ground control, it's so low that I have about 2" of play in the shock stroke when I pull it out.

 

Really? That's good to know. I kinda assumed that, but when I asked people who've installed coilovers I didn't get a response. I know I didn't really need them to install Sprints, so I guess CG's will be even easier.

Thanks for the info.

 

You definately need to compress the front springs before you take the top nut off. There's lots of preload there. But the rears you can do without the compressor. There's very minimal load on them. I've even put my factory rear springs back in without the compressor.

 

Do loosen that top nut while on the car as much as possible but do not remove therefor you wont fight with it while is spring is compressed.

 

I have the H&R's/Tokico setup right now. It was, at the time, the most comfortable combination of sport springs and shocks. I was wondering if the AGX's would offer a more comfortable ride given everything remains unchanged. The price is definitely right on the AGX's and my girlfriend loves them on her GSR.

 

yes

 

I just ordered a set of AGX's to go with my CG's that are in the mail too!

 

I am considering this setup. Let me know how it works out.

SuDZ