Shock recommendations

[tdskip]

Hi guys - hope everyone is doing well. So after some help from Mark Allison and team on a top end rebuild I'm up and running as a 124 owner. I am celibrating, of course, by finding more things to fix.

Her current rear shocks are really soft so am looking for recommendations on a set of all four shocks that would be good for fast touring but not shaking passenger fillings loose. Any tips or coaching to pass along?

Thanks!

[narfire]

HOW MUCH ARE YOU WANTING TO SPEND ?

I'VE HAD THE KYB'S ALL AROUND AND THEN SWITCHED TO KONI'S (YELLOW) AND LOVED THE CHANGE. KYB'S ARE GOOD BUT I FOUND WITH THE KONI'S WITH A 1 INCH FRONT BAR THE HANDLING IMPROVED.

[tdskip]

Thanks for the note. I'm willing to shell out for the right stuff.

Do you have a part number by chance?

Thanks

[narfire]

I believe most of the vendors will/might have the Koni's. Not sure of the prices though.
A while back I saw a link on a post for these guys.
http://performance.importrp.com/koni/ko ... 52201.aspx

I bought mine from them as the shipping was cheap to Oroville WA , and then for me to pick up.
Chris

[MikeR]

Just fitted a set of SPAX gas adjustable shocks (G596 front, G609 rear) and euro springs to my '82 FI Spider. They have 28 stages of adjustment, which sounds like there will be hours of fun playing with them in the summer to find the optimum settings.

So far, I have left them, as fitted, on the softest setting. Both the ride and handling have improved hugely without being too hard or harsh. Much less body roll too.

[tdskip]

Thanks Mike - appreciate the info.

Did you try the shocks / springs independent from each other by chance? May I ask how much the shocks where (ballpark)?

Thank guys!

[Redline]

I also have the Spax. I like the external adjustment, compared to Konis (you have to take them off to adjust them...). Mine are set somewhere in the middle and they are not too harsh, but have excellent wheel control. A local humpback bridge used to be an adventure, but now it's just a beautiful little "schwoop" as it eats the compression them "bloop" as it absorbs the "landing" on the other side in one quiet move.

[MikeR]

Thanks Mike - appreciate the info.

Did you try the shocks / springs independent from each other by chance? May I ask how much the shocks where (ballpark)?

Thank guys!

tdskip,
No, regret that I did not try the springs and shocks independently from each other, though I believe that you can fit them independently. They seem to be a very nice 'pairing' and work together well by putting the car back to its original Euro suspension configuration before Federal regulations called for the ride height to be raised, but with the added advantage of being able to 'tune' to your taste. I am told that it is wise to put some grease or similar on the adjusters (externally) as apparently they can seize over time if left unprotected.

I paid 350 UKP for the 4 shocks.

SPAX seem to have dealers worldwide
http://www.spax.co.uk/buy-stores.php

I hope this helps.

[toyfiats]

Mike,
Thanks for the prompt reply to my PM. I figured I'd ask the follow on question in case anyone else is curious and thinking about getting these. One question that I've asked one SPAX distributor (for which no answer was given) was regarding the lower shock mounts on the rear shocks. The '78 and earlier 124's have a different shock mount than the later Spider 2000's.

Early shock
http://www.ebay.com/itm/380563757018

Later shock
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350551095847

While all of the original Fiat shocks had the same "later" style lower mount, the earlier cars used this adapter:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170905848749

Some aftermarket shock makers (such as the early style shock referenced above) integrated the lower mount into the shock itself, so that it could not be used on a later car without pressing the lower bushing assembly out and pressing in a new one (assuming you could find the correct size).

So this is a long-winded way of asking - what does the lower mount look like on the SPAX? If the early style, then I'm guessing you might have an early-style rear-axle assembly.

Thanks in advance for any clarification you can offer.

[MikeR]

So this is a long-winded way of asking - what does the lower mount look like on the SPAX? If the early style, then I'm guessing you might have an early-style rear-axle assembly.

Thanks in advance for any clarification you can offer.

toyfiats,

The answer, in my case, is the later type. Mine is an '82 with an original (with rebuilt internals) late axle, correct to the build year.

SPAX list 2 different types of rears, G2009 for up to '68 and G609 for post 69. The front shocks are the same in their catalogue, G596 for early and late.

I used G609 and G596 and they dropped right in with no fitting issues

I hope this helps.

[MikeR]

There is an online SPAX pdf catalogue at:

http://www.spaxperformance.com/download ... t_2010.pdf

See page 5 for FIAT models

[Daniel]

I've had KYB's and Konis on fiats the KONI shock is smoother very noticeable difference in car feel of the road.
The KYBs i liked the tight ride for short trips but on a long drive it gets a little old.

[Redline]

Pictures of the Spax as delivered and installed. Hope it helps.

[FISH]

GO TO E SPORTS CAR PARTS SHOCKS ARE 59.95 A PAIR. THEY HAVE A LOT OF NICE PRODUCTS. FISH
I HAVE A 84 PININFARINA WITH 49750 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DOING CARS FOR ABOUT 55 YEARS. A NEW FUEL PUMP YOU CAN BUY FROM AUTO ZONE FOR LESS THAN $90.00. HOPE THIS WILL HELP I ALSO USE VICKSFIAT PARTS. OUT OF TEXAS. I AM IN NEW MEXICO.

[unkel1969spider]

Thanks Iam new and this info is great