Koni Strut Housings on my ‘77. What are my options?

[The Watson]

I read in a few place my only option is Koni struts. Regular (red) or Sport(yellow). Assuming I don’t want to swap housings am I truly limited to these two options?

Housings are red, labeled Koni p/n 911-341-041-10 on left

[The Watson]

Actually it seems only the red ones are available per my updated search.

[jpnovak]

You can get Yellow sport. Just need to use the original gland nut.

But, yes. Koni struts in Koni housings are your options. But... Why do you want something different?

[The Watson]

The fine print on the yellow sports says for use only in OE Boge housings. I’m not against Koni but I’m surprised there is literally 1 option in the universe! The reds are “comfort” and I’m building a fast street/canyon carver hot rod.

[roblav]

Frankly, I'd increase the spring rates before going to stiffer dampers.

[The Watson]

I’d normally agree but these are super old. Probably 30+ years old. So I’d like to do all the suspension work done at same time. So I have to buy something, just looking at options.

[frankc]

When using the Koni Sport inserts in the Koni housing, you will need to use Gland Nut 73.25.01.011.1. I have a '77 that came with Konis, and went with Sport inserts.

More info here:
Which Koni Sports for 77 911S?

[Arne2]

Yup, Konis only in Koni housings, Bilstein only in Bilstein housings. Boge housings have options.

[Matt_911]

I just recently replaced my (front) Koni reds with Koni yellow adjustable Sports and had to machine the inside of the gland nut to fit them securely – before I found out about the gland nut mentioned above – Gland Nut 73.25.01.011.1. I presume that's the part that I would have saved several hours of making a holding tool and then machine work on the lathe at a friend's workshop. All seems to fit well ... but haven't driven it yet!

[The Watson]

Originally Posted by frankc

When using the Koni Sport inserts in the Koni housing, you will need to use Gland Nut 73.25.01.011.1. I have a '77 that came with Konis, and went with Sport inserts.

More info here:
Which Koni Sports for 77 911S?

FrankC, thank you. I read your thread and it sounded like you were going with reds after speaking to Paragon. Did you change your mind and if so what is your take on what you ended up with?

[frankc]

Originally Posted by The Watson

FrankC, thank you. I read your thread and it sounded like you were going with reds after speaking to Paragon. Did you change your mind and if so what is your take on what you ended up with?

I ended up going with the externally adjustable Koni Sports for both front (8641-1039) and rear (8210-1159S). My car is running 22/28mm torsion bars, 16x6 & 16x8 wheels (SC flares), and is lowered to "Euro height". I mainly use the car for "spirited" driving events like the Hill Country Rallye, and I am very pleased with the setup.

[fanaudical]

There is another option (somewhat expensive).

Elephant Racing modified my Koni front housings to accept the Vons Shocks cartridge (which I think matches the Bilstein insert geometry). No issues so far. (I also increased spring rate and raised the spindles.)

[RWebb]

can you switch to Bilstein struts? you can then use digressively valved shocks which will greatly improve your canyon craving for a given degree of ride comfort (i.e w/o losing fillings in your teeth)

[pedrok]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

There is another option (somewhat expensive).

Elephant Racing modified my Koni front housings to accept the Vons Shocks cartridge (which I think matches the Bilstein insert geometry). No issues so far. (I also increased spring rate and raised the spindles.)

Hi fanaudical,
I also have 77 front Koni Red struts, could you please let us know what is the modification done and if you have pictures that will be great
Thanks
Pedrok

[Cory M]

How does the damping of the Koni yellow and red compare to Bilstein? Are there any damping plots or tables available? I have a couple of sets of Koni struts in the parts stash but I've never used them.

[fanaudical]

Here's a photo of one of the struts modified by Elephant Racing (forgive the kitty in the upper left):



My understanding is they lightly bored/honed the inside of the strut and machined the gland nut to accept the different strut. (I also went a little overboard with ensuring I wouldn't have bump-steer issues with raised spindles.) I don't recall the actual cost of the mod but it must not have been more than just purchasing used Bilstein housings (otherwise I would have done that).

[pedrok]

Great info!
Do you have more pictures? I will like to see more at the back & sides of the spindle
Thanks

[fanaudical]

Sorry - I don't seem to have any with more detail. I recommend calling and discussing with Elephant Racing.