Any opinions on Koni Red shocks/struts vs Bilstein HD's?? Both would be paired with an Eibach Pro spring kit, SFC's, new LCA's with relocation kit adjustable panhard rod and STB. Seems like most on this board like the Bilstein, while most of the Koni fans talk about the Yellows, but not much about the Reds.

My application will be mostly street, with a few trips thoughout the year to the track. Talked to the tech guys at Spohn (they sell both). They said for a street application, Koni Reds and Bilstein's will perform virtually the same.
For a complete set, the Koni's are about $150 cheaper, adjustable (Bilsteins are not adjustable), and have a lifetime warranty.

I'm leaning towards the Koni Reds. Feedback welcome.

 

Been running the Koni Reds for 6 years with no complaints. For anything but very smooth roads they are stiff enough for me.

DM

 

Just installed Bilsteins for lowered cars all the way around and handles better than when it was new!Should tho with all the upgrades.And before anyone asks I bought the car new in 86

 

DM - what adjustment settings are you running on the koni's

 

Fronts were all 5 clicks (stiffest) for several years until I figured out it was beating me to death on the interstate that was being reworked. Now the fronts are set at 2 clicks from full soft. The rear has always been set full soft but after some recent wheel hopping occurrences I may need to up those settings. I have many other parts that would need to be upgraded before I would need better shocks and even then for the street these would suffice I believe. Now if I were to do some track days at a road course they might need to be different.


DM

 

Thanks DM. When I get done, sounds like my ride will be nearly a twin of yours.

 

Twins would be fine especially if I would get my 3:73 rear installed.

 

The adjustment is only rebound damper, not compression. You need either stiffer spring rates or higher compression valving to control wheelhop with damper rates- or set the LCA's slightly lower if you have the aftermarket adj provissions.

Reds are still too soft for any kind of true performance value. My wife rides around on yellows for goddness sake- they are not as stiff as people think. Yellows are an over-the-counter performnance street shock, not a racing shock like people think- its the very least I would put on my 3rdgen. If it were a full time race car I would opt for a much higher quality shock for performance gains. Reds are for the little old lady from Pasadena with a sneeky pete type grocery getter landyacht. I have reds on the front of a lowered chev truck of mine and they suck to put it as honestly as I can state it.I can't get yellows for that application.