Gen I and II NAPA Proformer struts

[shobote]

I picked up a set of 4 Gabriel Ultras from the Rockauto Closeout sale a few years ago, for $5.66 each. The rear struts actually came in NAPA boxes, marked Proformer and NAPA has these in stock on their website, STS 55616 for $91 each. I've been running Sensatracks with Eibachs and am not a big fan of ride quality / damping.
I installed one of the Ultras to see how it compares before doing the other 3. With the Sensatrack removed, I compared the damping by hand off the car. The Ultras are like Koni's, in that they have a slow rebound even if you try pulling it up. where the Monroes rebound faster. The Monroes also compress a bit easier.
The test drive was over the same roads and bumps I drive all the time. The Gabriel is MUCH smoother over bumps and more stable in the corners, staying flatter and not upset by mid corner bumps like the Monroes.
I'll install the other 3 this weekend and report back, first impression is pretty darn good though.

 

[zoomlater]

Great price, I never seen them that low

 

[shobote]

Got both rears installed and it already drives like a different car, so much more enjoyable there's no comparison, much smoother over bumps than the Sensatracks, with a controlled, tighter and flatter ride, particularly in corners. No bouncing or vertical motions at all... 2 down, 2 to go !

 

[BaySHO Performance]

I searched NAPA for 'STS 55616' strut and all that came up for a '91 were NAPA quick struts which include regular Taurus springs that are softer than the SHO ones. No mention of the strut make. None of them had the 55616 part number.

 

[shobote]

Nick, you're correct. I looked last week, the day I posted, and that part was listed, and today it is not. The Proformer front and rear full struts are shown, but not the 55616 strut. The full strut uses the Gabriel Ultras, but Gabriel stopped making them years ago, so somebody just bought the remaining 55616's left. There is probably low stock on the full struts too. Tank II also bought them on the Rockauto closeout, has been running Ultras for a few years on Eibach's, and also said they ride and handle better than the Koni's he had on before them.