Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 04:09 AM
  #1  
Jay_rich's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 3
From: Windsor Ontario
Car: 1987 Z28
Engine: 2005 5.3L, LS6 Cam
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: DTS 9" 3.50 TrueTrac
Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

Okay so I'm trying to get my suspension wrapped up on the car. Only thing holding me back is front struts. Now my original plan was Koni Yellows all around and then I missed the Sale and they are like $265-280 everywhere.

So currently I have this...

Ground Control Weight Jacks 800F/175R
Koni Yellow Rears (got barely used and a great price)
Front 34mm Sway, Rear 24mm Sway
17" ZR1's on 275s.

Then tubular LCA's etc.

The basic idea of this car was an all around car, one that will handle at the track great, but tame on the street.

I was thinking of possibly running QA1's up front to save 100-150. Worth it or should I just search for some decent priced Koni's so I have a matching set.
I was hoping to stay around 400 for the front set. just have way too many plans with the car, but also dont wanna do it twice. So if going with koni's all around is the best then I will do that.

Hopefully some people that auto-x can chime in.

Jay
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 08:30 PM
  #2  
hellz_wings's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, Canada
Car: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28
Engine: TPI 310ci (LB9)
Transmission: Custom Rebuilt 700R4 - 2600 Stall
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.73 Eaton Limited-Slip
Re: Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

The KONI fronts are phenomenal.. The difference when turned from medium soft to full rebound stiffness was night and day. Made a huge difference.
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2013 | 06:57 AM
  #3  
Homer23's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-56 w/hurst short throw
Axle/Gears: unknown
Re: Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

Go with the Koni yellows for the struts. You want the shocks and struts to be designed to perform together as a unit. You would only want to mis-match shocks and struts if you were really strapped for cash.
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2013 | 07:00 AM
  #4  
Jay_rich's Avatar
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,128
Likes: 3
From: Windsor Ontario
Car: 1987 Z28
Engine: 2005 5.3L, LS6 Cam
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: DTS 9" 3.50 TrueTrac
Re: Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

ya figured that after I posted that i may as well go matching for rebound etc.

Thanks for the replies. Now to find some on sale again. After talking with ground control they say Koni really only puts them on sale mid march to august or so.

Money really inst an issue just figured if I could save a bit here and there I would.

Jay
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2013 | 11:21 PM
  #5  
Reid Fleming's Avatar
Supreme Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 15
From: Houston, TX
Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: SuperRam 350
Transmission: Pro Built S/S TH700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

Originally Posted by hellz_wings
The KONI fronts are phenomenal.. The difference when turned from medium soft to full rebound stiffness was night and day. Made a huge difference.
I'll agree that the Front Koni struts are probably the best thing I've put on the car suspension wise. But I disagree on running them on full rebound setting. I find the max I want to go is about 1.5 turns (out of a possible 2.25 turns). Anything above that and you actually lose handling.

This is for my car's setup (stock height, 700 lb Moog springs). If I were lowered and/or had 1000 lb springs, then I could see going past 1.5 turns.

Save your money as the Koni struts are a huge difference.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2013 | 03:23 PM
  #6  
hellz_wings's Avatar
Supreme Member
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 2
From: Montreal, Canada
Car: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z28
Engine: TPI 310ci (LB9)
Transmission: Custom Rebuilt 700R4 - 2600 Stall
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt, 3.73 Eaton Limited-Slip
Re: Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

Hey Reid,

Yes the car is lowered 0.75" with the extended ball joints and I didn't extensively test out the handling but just from doing some really fast turns on the street I noticed an improvement. I am also planning on getting some weight jacks to balance out the height ll around to be at about 26.5" height in front and 26.75" out back
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2013 | 03:55 PM
  #7  
skinny z's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,919
Likes: 884
From: 53.0907° N, 113.4695° W
Re: Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

Originally Posted by Reid Fleming
I'll agree that the Front Koni struts are probably the best thing I've put on the car suspension wise..

Save your money as the Koni struts are a huge difference.
Advice I intend to follow myself.
Just waiting for the spring sale (and I hope there is one).
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2013 | 06:09 PM
  #8  
Kat's Avatar
Kat
Supreme Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
From: Upland Pa
Car: Camaro Vert
Engine: 355 HSR
Transmission: A4
Axle/Gears: 3.73 S60
Re: Koni all around or Koni/QA1?

Koni's all the way. I've going through two sets of QA1 struts already. I figured it was an upgrade from the 17 year old koni reds I had on the car nope First set I ripped off the strut top and the second set, the wiper seal let go. After that, I said eff it and put a set of koni yellows on

Tho with that said, I don't know how the third revision of the QA1 steel body strut is tho. Hopefully it's better than the aluminum versions that have had.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ed1LE
Suspension and Chassis
8
Sep 30, 2018 09:14 AM
LT1Formula
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
10
Nov 16, 2015 01:13 PM
Antips16
Suspension and Chassis
10
Oct 30, 2015 06:42 PM
LT1Formula
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
7
Oct 8, 2015 08:34 PM
tartagliaz28
Aftermarket Vendor Review
5
Sep 3, 2015 08:28 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:57 PM.