Bilstein Vs. Koni > > >
02-09-2003, 02:48 PM
#1
Bilstein Vs. Koni > > >
I have first hand experience with Koni's because all my Porsche's had them, great shock.
Bilstein, never used them but I've heard ALLOT of F-Body guys do. Why? How are they better than the Koni's?
I'm looking to buy some lowering spindles for my front (to keep my overall geometry how it's supossed to be) and a set of springs to lower my rear 1" and I want THE BEST shocks possible. Let's just say I tend to double or tripple the speed limit on windy mountain roads
Also, who had the best struts for our cars? Cost not a consideration, just performance. This will be the last thing I do before bolting in a C4 Dana 44 rear in late 2004.
Bilstein, never used them but I've heard ALLOT of F-Body guys do. Why? How are they better than the Koni's?
I'm looking to buy some lowering spindles for my front (to keep my overall geometry how it's supossed to be) and a set of springs to lower my rear 1" and I want THE BEST shocks possible. Let's just say I tend to double or tripple the speed limit on windy mountain roads
Also, who had the best struts for our cars? Cost not a consideration, just performance. This will be the last thing I do before bolting in a C4 Dana 44 rear in late 2004.
Last edited by 92GTA; 02-09-2003 at 02:52 PM.
02-09-2003, 09:24 PM
#2
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i've had them all at one time or another and bilsteins are the only thing i would buy for my toy. daily driver or something that i don't care about than any of the others will do.
bilsteins and eibach pro-kit modified like gm performance did in their project with exactly 1/2 of the top coil cut works so well. definately worth the money in every way. the car drives like a dream and handles everything i throw at it.
good luck with your choice.
bilsteins and eibach pro-kit modified like gm performance did in their project with exactly 1/2 of the top coil cut works so well. definately worth the money in every way. the car drives like a dream and handles everything i throw at it.
good luck with your choice.
02-09-2003, 09:54 PM
#3
Originally posted by Kandied91z
bilsteins and eibach pro-kit modified like gm performance did in their project with exactly 1/2 of the top coil cut works so well.
bilsteins and eibach pro-kit modified like gm performance did in their project with exactly 1/2 of the top coil cut works so well.
Isn't it better to get lowering spindles for the front so you don't scew up your geometry? That's what I heard anyway...
02-09-2003, 11:46 PM
#4
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Car: 91' Camaro
Engine: 383 ci
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt / 3:70
I am a fan of Koni struts. Bilstein makes a great product too though. What are the cost differances? I bought my Koni's many years back, all I remeber is that they were expensive compared to others I looked at. I install alot of Bilstein shocks on 4 wheels drive trucks and have never had a complaint, but they are totally differant than f-bodies.
02-10-2003, 12:41 AM
#5
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i purchased my bilsteins through lingenfelter 2 years ago for under 300 when other places were asking 400+. i had the koni which was nice, but not as nice....i swapped them one after another so i was able to compare. that's all i can really say. 
as far as why gm performance did what they did? they claimed that it added more stability. what i noticed was it definately firmed the front up a bit and made the car ride like it's on rails...it was already a great ride as it was but it made a huge difference.
as to the whole geometry thing......i'm sure that it has it's points. i also believe it's like anything else, when the drop springs first came out there weren't alot of options to lower your car. i think that alot of it has to do with those wanting to justify the 300 for the spindles. i even had a set at one point but returned them after realizing that i wasn't getting anything i felt worth the price. i've been running this setup for a long time with no problems or regrets. it works absolutely perfect. well worth the money and that's all i can say.
i've driven thirdgens with the sportlines and i didn't care for the ride.........love the look though, this way with the pro-kit gives you the best of both worlds.
those of you out there looking to do this stuff should certainlly weigh the options and do what you like. i'm just trying to share my experiences and hope it helps someone out. i wish i knew half of what i know now when i first bought my car. i've gone through so many different setups on everything you can think of with suspension, everything for 25 dollar air shocks and the cheapest jcwhitney springs to the setup like i described that i use to have.
good luck with it.
as far as why gm performance did what they did? they claimed that it added more stability. what i noticed was it definately firmed the front up a bit and made the car ride like it's on rails...it was already a great ride as it was but it made a huge difference.
as to the whole geometry thing......i'm sure that it has it's points. i also believe it's like anything else, when the drop springs first came out there weren't alot of options to lower your car. i think that alot of it has to do with those wanting to justify the 300 for the spindles. i even had a set at one point but returned them after realizing that i wasn't getting anything i felt worth the price. i've been running this setup for a long time with no problems or regrets. it works absolutely perfect. well worth the money and that's all i can say.
i've driven thirdgens with the sportlines and i didn't care for the ride.........love the look though, this way with the pro-kit gives you the best of both worlds.
those of you out there looking to do this stuff should certainlly weigh the options and do what you like. i'm just trying to share my experiences and hope it helps someone out. i wish i knew half of what i know now when i first bought my car. i've gone through so many different setups on everything you can think of with suspension, everything for 25 dollar air shocks and the cheapest jcwhitney springs to the setup like i described that i use to have.
good luck with it.
02-10-2003, 06:59 PM
#6
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Car: 1992 Pontiac GTA
Engine: 305TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10-bolt, 2.73
This will be the last thing I do before bolting in a C4 Dana 44 rear in late 2004.
Alex,
Are you really going to convert you GTA to IRS? That's major surgery! I hate to change the point of this thread, but I'd like to know more about your plans.
I prefer the Bilsteins to the Koni's. It was a combination of price, searching these boards for opinions, and Bimmers that made up my mind. I like the ride of a gas mono-tube design.
By the way, how do you like the Hawk HPS pads that you recently installed?
02-10-2003, 09:50 PM
#7
I don't think the Hawk pads are any better than any other pads from what I've seen, I did only go with the Hawk blacks though, not the Hawk blues...
Actually the IRS more or less just bolts right in with no other major mods...
And thanks guy! I've decided to get the Bilsteins....
Actually the IRS more or less just bolts right in with no other major mods...
And thanks guy! I've decided to get the Bilsteins....
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02-11-2003, 12:52 AM
#8
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have you found a place to purchase them?
i got mine through lingenfelter back in the day as they had the best prices which was a little odd. but it saved me alot of money.
i got mine through lingenfelter back in the day as they had the best prices which was a little odd. but it saved me alot of money.
02-11-2003, 02:05 PM
#10
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I would recommend the Koni's SA, since cost isn't an issue, but performance is. I have two 3rd gens, a '91 T/A and a '91 GTA. The T/A has Bilsteins, the GTA has SA Konis. I'm selling the '91 T/A if anyones interested. Anyways, Bilsteins are nicer for everyday living, they absorb bumps and road irregularities better. But, with the Koni's I feel that I have more touch and feeback, and high speed performance in particular feels better.
P.S. I also plan on installing a Dana44 IRS in my 4th gen. I will be taking it to a shop that's already installed one in a 3rd gen once the snow melts. Where do you plan on having the work done? I agree that no major surgery needs to be done, but new brackets need to be welded in, and I'd suggest adding a roll-bar or cage that re-inforces some of the IRS mount points.
P.S. I also plan on installing a Dana44 IRS in my 4th gen. I will be taking it to a shop that's already installed one in a 3rd gen once the snow melts. Where do you plan on having the work done? I agree that no major surgery needs to be done, but new brackets need to be welded in, and I'd suggest adding a roll-bar or cage that re-inforces some of the IRS mount points.
02-11-2003, 02:28 PM
#11
We might be using the same shop. The shop I'm going to use has installed it once in a GTA. I don't want to add a roll bar or anything in my car for it but I've been told I don't really need to.
I found a rear for $1,500 but I will have to replacethe rear disks and install new calipers. With the labor and everything it should come to about $3K. When the time comes I'll make the decision between a ProCharger or the IRS...
I found a rear for $1,500 but I will have to replacethe rear disks and install new calipers. With the labor and everything it should come to about $3K. When the time comes I'll make the decision between a ProCharger or the IRS...
03-10-2003, 11:19 PM
#12
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I've been looking at both Koni and Bilstein. The Koni's are the most expensive. I like the adustable Koni (Yellows). Are the "reds" adjustable? And as far as bilstein, are they adustable? And when they say "adustable", are both the rear shocks, and front struts adustable? Is it a **** or something you turn to adjust them? Easy to adjust? -89IRO
03-11-2003, 02:26 AM
#13
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you can pay all sorts of amounts if you don't shop around. koni's are not more than bilsteins.....however many people find good prices on them.
bilstein also make adjustable setups much like koni. alot more money though....
bilstein also make adjustable setups much like koni. alot more money though....
03-11-2003, 03:04 PM
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OK, then I guess it's just going to come down to how easy the koni shocks/struts can be adjusted. If it is a simple crawl under the car and turn a **** then I'm all for it. But if adjusting the konis involves unbolting a bunch of crap forget it. Thoughts? -89IRO
03-11-2003, 08:26 PM
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Car: 1990 formula
Engine: 350 tpi supercharged
Transmission: 700 r4
koni yellows
the fronts adjust easy with a **** on top but the rears you have to drop them out and turn the shaft while holding the button in so that takes a little time.but to be honest i think that full soft on the backs is the best setting with the ws6 springs and have not felt the need to adjust them after i tryed each setting.
pete
pete
03-11-2003, 09:18 PM
#16
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On Lingenfelter's website they have three versions of Bilstein shocks for the rear of the car; HD, Sport, and Race.
Kandied91z, what type do you have on the car??
tom
Kandied91z, what type do you have on the car??
tom
03-12-2003, 01:48 AM
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very few are like that........most are at the base.
i have the sport i believe. there was only one type for my car. the others were adjustable or coilover. wasn't aware that there were different basic versions. i do have the part number if you like. i love them, alot more than my old koni's.
i have the sport i believe. there was only one type for my car. the others were adjustable or coilover. wasn't aware that there were different basic versions. i do have the part number if you like. i love them, alot more than my old koni's.
03-12-2003, 03:41 AM
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Car: 91 Red Sled
Axle/Gears: 10bolt Richmond 3.73 Torsen
Originally posted by Kandied91z
i've had them all at one time or another and bilsteins are the only thing i would buy for my toy. daily driver or something that i don't care about than any of the others will do.
bilsteins and eibach pro-kit modified like gm performance did in their project with exactly 1/2 of the top coil cut works so well. definately worth the money in every way. the car drives like a dream and handles everything i throw at it.
good luck with your choice.
i've had them all at one time or another and bilsteins are the only thing i would buy for my toy. daily driver or something that i don't care about than any of the others will do.
bilsteins and eibach pro-kit modified like gm performance did in their project with exactly 1/2 of the top coil cut works so well. definately worth the money in every way. the car drives like a dream and handles everything i throw at it.
good luck with your choice.
03-12-2003, 02:43 PM
#21
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I prefer the KONIs as they consistently offer a better product with adjustability alsong with the lifetime warranty. The adjustability is not that big an issue after you get your suspension set-up. You won't be living to adjust your suspension once you get a satisfactory set-up dialed in. Base your KONI selection on the spring rate(s) used...
03-12-2003, 05:37 PM
#22
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Car: 1990 formula
Engine: 350 tpi supercharged
Transmission: 700 r4
my konis adjust with a plastic adjustment **** on top of the strut but i'm running the hms strut mounts with the factory mounts you would need a hole in the dust cover to adjust them they are the yellow sports and they work great. thats compared to stock struts as i changed them at 25,000 mi and now have 27000mi on the car
pete
pete
03-12-2003, 06:13 PM
#23
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Car: 82 Z28
Engine: Al LT1 headed LG4 305
Transmission: TH350
Axle/Gears: 3.73 posi with spacer
How about these Shocktek revalved Bilstein's at: http://www.stranoparts.com/
Just do a search for 3rd gen Camaro suspension (shocks). They are specially revalved for lowered vehicles.
Just do a search for 3rd gen Camaro suspension (shocks). They are specially revalved for lowered vehicles.
Last edited by ME Leigh; 03-12-2003 at 06:16 PM.
03-13-2003, 11:37 PM
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Does bilstein make shocks/struts for our cars other than the "HDs"?? I heard someone say they make a "sport" series...?? If so, what is the difference between the HDs and the Sports? Price difference? -89IRO
03-14-2003, 02:22 AM
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Car: 91 Red Sled
Axle/Gears: 10bolt Richmond 3.73 Torsen
I think they only have 2 types but you can have them special ordered with any specs you want. The most common are the HD and the sports. I believe the Bilstien OEM shocks/struts on thirdgens were sports. HDs were the stiffer "upgrade". I'm not sure of the accuracy of it's history but that's just what I've gathered from reading posts on this board.
03-14-2003, 02:22 PM
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O.K., I want the stiffer, and more performance oriented ones, and I don't care about ride quality- should I go with HDs or Sports? On the bilstein website, I don't see anything on the sports. -89IRO
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