shocks

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
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fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

shocks

Post by fiat218 »

which is a better shock for my 69
KONIS
KYB
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
WYSpider

Re: shocks

Post by WYSpider »

Koni's in the rear, KYB up front. At least this is what sptcoupe (Jeff) told me a while back. His experience was that Koni's were too stiff up front and the softer KYBs up front assisted in cornering. He also used a set of lowing springs from AR with this setup: lower the car 1 1/4" and stiffen it a max of 15%. Jeff has pretty much tried it all so I'd go with that set up.

Note: this was for a 80 or 81 with the big bumpers so you mileage will vary with a 69.
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: shocks

Post by narfire »

I haven't tried the mixing thing but I had the KYB's for years with the IAP reds. I cut one coil off the rear to get the back end down as it looked kind of "jacked-up" left the fronts alone.
Changed to Koni Yellows and love them compared to the KYB's . Also put the 1" front sway bar on...love the handling compared to the KYB's and stock bar.
Put uncut Red springs(rears) on with the koni's
I suspect the yellow springs would work just as well. I sold mine to FatherG.
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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81SPIDERMATT
Posts: 1239
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:10 pm
Your car is a: 1981 spider 2000
Location: FORT COLLINS, CO

Re: shocks

Post by 81SPIDERMATT »

konis... they are yellow
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: shocks

Post by BEEK »

my vote is koni :)
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
AndyS
Posts: 328
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:02 am
Your car is a: 1967 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: shocks

Post by AndyS »

Just did konis on my A series car, and am really happy with them. Running them fully soft with some old school genuine Abarth rally springs i bought many years ago when you could still find them. Amazing combo for handling, car control, and ride quality.

Many years ago, there were a lot of complaints in the car club circles about the Konis yellows being way too stiff in the front of the 124's even on the soft setting. I heard of shocks towers being torn out, etc. I am wondering if Koni finally listened to the feedback and adjusted the factory settings on them, as the ones I just got are definitely not too stiff at all. They feel more like the old classic red Konis to me that i used to run.

Not a big fan of KYB in general, although their newer stuff is way better than the 1990's garbage they used to sell for the 124's.
1967 Fiat 124 Spider
1964 Fiat Abarth 850TC conversion
1962 Abarth Allemano 1 liter Coupe
fiat218
Posts: 5745
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 5:06 pm
Your car is a: 1969 124 AS spider

Re: shocks

Post by fiat218 »

AndyS wrote:Just did konis on my A series car, and am really happy with them. Running them fully soft with some old school genuine Abarth rally springs i bought many years ago when you could still find them. Amazing combo for handling, car control, and ride quality.

Many years ago, there were a lot of complaints in the car club circles about the Konis yellows being way too stiff in the front of the 124's even on the soft setting. I heard of shocks towers being torn out, etc. I am wondering if Koni finally listened to the feedback and adjusted the factory settings on them, as the ones I just got are definitely not too stiff at all. They feel more like the old classic red Konis to me that i used to run.

Not a big fan of KYB in general, although their newer stuff is way better than the 1990's garbage they used to sell for the 124's.
That's great info to know. Thanks
Jim
East Grand Forks MN
1970 Fiat Spider BS1 ( FOR SALE
1969 124 AS Spider
2017 Abrath
2018 Alfa Romeo 4c Spider
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