Koni VS OEM

[jimmycakes401]

I searched the forum and did not get any definitive answers. I assume most people will type in Koni VS OEM to find this answer, but the thread that pop up aren't as specific as I'd like. Type away folks. Those of you who have tested both please speak up. I just want a nice ride. I don't need any adjustment. $150 vs $33 is quite a difference. Thanks for the input.

[narfire]

I'll let you know in a few weeks. I've been driving the past 4 years with KYB'S and will try Koni yellows when they get here.
http://performance.importrp.com/koni/ko ... 03399.aspx
Chris

[jimmycakes401]

Perfect. That will be a great piece of advice since you'll be so used to the original shock. I look forward to hearing from you. That price is per unit correct? Pretty good price. I'll mainly be riding around winding country roads. I assume if I was track riding, the answer would be obvious.

[htchevyii]

I went from oil filled shocks to Koni yellows set to medium. Not as big of a difference as I hoped. I was hoping to get rid of the bounce at the beginning of the suspension travel. I think it's caused from the cut springs that don't seat correctly, so I am going to swap them for a set of early springs from my parts car. For all out handling I'd go aftermarket, but I don't want a harsh ride on this car.

[jimmycakes401]

I also don't want a harsh ride. I read that the $33 ones were soft and pretty comfortable where as the Koni could be adjusted from terribly hard to almost as soft as the OE.

[htchevyii]

I wish the Konis could be adjusted without removing them, for that reason I haven't played around with the adjustment.

[jimmycakes401]

well that's good to know I had no idea to take all the way out.

[Redline]

Spax are adjustable on the car.

[jimmycakes401]

Hmmmm which vendor sells those? Sounds spendy! LOL

I can't imagine trying to get your preferred ride set up by taking your shocks on and off like the Koni! LOL

[Redline]

http://www.spaxdirect.com

Just ask for shipping costs etc. They're very helpful. Over here, they cost less than Konis.

[jimmycakes401]

Hmmm.... My browser does not like that site. Says it may contain malware. Errrgh

[lanciahf]

Trey,

I had the "bounce" as well. I switched to performance springs from cut front springs and the transformation is night and day.
I also have the yellow konis. Nobody should cut their springs.......

See Ya
Ralph

I went from oil filled shocks to Koni yellows set to medium. Not as big of a difference as I hoped. I was hoping to get rid of the bounce at the beginning of the suspension travel. I think it's caused from the cut springs that don't seat correctly, so I am going to swap them for a set of early springs from my parts car. For all out handling I'd go aftermarket, but I don't want a harsh ride on this car.

[124JOE]

as they were desined an inch lower
and usa made them raise the cars one inch
some people want them to ride low
and then the bumper issues "too small,not beefy enuff"
added alot of weight
it changed driving caritoristics.


mine are still stock 78 hight
but thats the info i know

[Redline]

Hmmm.... My browser does not like that site. Says it may contain malware. Errrgh

Well, they do sell suspension kits for Ladas and old Skodas, so I can understand the warning.

[wikkid]

To throw more options into your shock stew:
these Gabriels are apparently tailored to a Spider:
http://www.fiatshockabsorbers.com/
I think Auto Ricambi also sells Monroe shocks.
Both of those options are a bit more than OEM, but nowhere near Koni cost.


Interesting observations about the cut springs causing issues - this has not come up in past spring adjustment threads - hopefully others can chime in? I would think that cut and shaped at the end properly, and seated properly in the rubber seat piece, the springs would be stiffer, but why would they "bounce" more?

If someone who knows Fiats really well like SoCalMark is fine suggesting spring cutting, (and he seems very tuned in to suspension and ride issues), then we have a pretty big difference of opinion going on!