Hey guys, I just got through with my SFC install, now it's time for some new shocks/struts. I don't plan on lowering the car (at least not right now), so I don't need any help on springs/LCAs. What I do need to know though is whether to go with Bilstein or Koni sports. My question with bilstein is what the difference is between the sports and the heavy duty? And are the bilsteins adjustable like the Koni's? I'm also going to set up a pole to see what people here like most. Thanks.

 

the sports rear shocks are designed for lowered cars, the struts are the same between both sets. if you don't plan to lower, go with the HD's.

you can't beat koni's for performance, it is going to ride a little harsh, but if you are looking for the best, it is koni.

 

Konis are the way to go bar none. I am not sure where the misconception came from, but the Sports will work on the front and rear of any car, lowered or not.

 

So then what is the difference between the HD's and the Sport's? So you're saying if I lower the car or not, I can go with the sports?....just like to know what the difference is. I will probably go with koni since that's what my dad want me to get. How easy is it to adjust these things? Can someone tell me the process you go through to adjust them? Thanks.

 

I have Koni yellows on an 83 TA with Eibach Prokit.

The instructions say to set them at the lowest setting.

I found that I needed a half turn on the fronts to get it the way I wanted it.

Ride is harsh and some people might find it too much for a daily driver. Car handles great and I am glad I got these over Bilstiens which I've heard are a bit on the soft side.


EDIT - fronts adjust with a **** - rears you have to remove to adjust.

 

So are the instructions pretty clear on how to adjust these things? Like is there a number on the dial that associates with a stiffness? And when you say lowest setting, is the softest or stiffest? Are the front struts pretty easy to adjust if you don't have to remove them? Thanks for the help guys.

 

Instructions are clear.

Rears adjust by increments - theres a button that you hold down and then turn the schock.

Fronts - adjust on the car - half turn - full turn etc. using a detachable ****.

When they say lowest they mean softest - which is still quite solid.

 

The settings are not something you want to play with too often. Koni always recommends that you set them on the lowest settings and adjust up from there until desired rebound dampen is reached. The extra settings will basically allow for adjustment as the damping wears.

I unfortunately have to run mine on the stiffest settings on the front and the #2 position in the rear (0-3, 3 being stiffer rebound). Next time I will go to custom valved Ground Control struts for the front.

 

If you want adjustable I really recomend the Tokicos instead. They adjust with a small screwdriver for the front and the rear. There is no reason to pull the rear shocks at all. Either way you go, look at shox.com for some good prices.

 

AGood2.8

Did you end up on the highest front setting because you were adjusting them up and down too much.

I've heard that before that you're not supposed to mess with them too much and that the upper levels are mainly for wear compensation after you get them dialed in. Given that premise, removing the rears every once in a while to adjust them is not that big of a deal but kind of departs from the idea of a shock that you can adjust for track use on one day and then road use thereafter.


SlowTA

I agree about the Tokicos being easier to adjust at the rear which is great for track events but I'm wondering if they wouldn't have the same problem as Koni with respect to early wear as a result being adjusted too often.



I got mine at shox.com - best price I could find and the stuff arrived just like they said it would.

 

Well I haven't heard anything about them wearing out because of being adjusted too much. I like to adjust them at the track then set them back to either 2 or 3 for the rest of the time. I've had them for about 2 years with no noticable signs of wear. But those adjusters aren't too sturdy if you ask me. But I've talked to a miata guy who says they have a really great warantee policy so I'm not too worried.

 

Nope. I run really stiff springs (800lbs up front and 225 rears on a V6 car) Need a high rebound shock to control these heavy rate springs up front, and keeps the car more squatted in bumpy turns. Basically takes out more of the low speed frontend push.

 

I had both and prefer the KONI Yellows.

 

Old Thread....... I'm doing searches and this thread had the prices from 10+ years ago.....