Shocks advice

jester911 · jester911's Garage

I getting new shocks for back and new shock inserts for the front.
I am trying to decide what the best route to go is. I don't track the car but I am considering doing some DE events just to better learn the handling of the car.

I don't know to go to a sport or not, and what brand is better for my driving. Bilstiens? Konis? Boges? I don't really want to break the bank either.

Any advice on this would be helpful

masraum · 04-26-2003, 11:48 AM

I've got Bilstein Sports all around. They'er awesome and made a huge difference. I didn't know how bad the shocks/struts on my car were (I guess cause the suspension is so tight otherwise), but they were totally shot.

Dave Ploss · 04-26-2003, 12:49 PM

Jerry,
I just got throught with the front end and put Bilstein HD's all around. I'm not going to track the car....for now. My research said the Sports were abit stiff for just street use. That's why I went with the HD.

It was a huge difference in handling, but I also redid all of the bushings and bearings.

Dave

SilverPoly · 04-26-2003, 12:57 PM

I went with Bilstein HD for the front and Sports for the rear.

I love my set up. I added a strut brace and had it lowered and realigned. My original shocks were shot and literally on the verge of falling apart.

Now my car handles like it is on rails.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

I recently rebuilt the front end on my '80 911SC coupe and used the Bilstein HD fronts and Sport shocks on the rear. I really like the overall feel of the "new" suspension. The sports on the rear are not particularly abusive. With the addition of a set of Falkan FR451s, my car literally corners like it was on rails. Try it, you'll like it!

Good Luck!

Fred Cook

Randy Webb · 04-26-2003, 02:03 PM

Bilsteins seem to be the way to go in the last few years, overtaking the Konis. I don't know of anyone who has tried new HD's, vs. new Sports, vs. split HD/Sport setup, or vs. new Konis for that matter. That would be a good test to do for someone with the money and time.

I have Konis on my '75 and new Bilsteins on my '73 but the stiff t bars on the '73 preclude comparison as does the wt. difference.

So pay your $$ and take a guess...

Joeaksa · 04-26-2003, 03:07 PM

Did the same as Steven and Fred and love the change. My car has 75k on it when I changed them and the improvement was dramatic! Well worth the cost and time.

Joe

jester911 · jester911's Garage

thanks guys

zzwhm · 04-26-2003, 07:06 PM

Jester - If you do a search you'll find have been many posts on this topic with lots of good info.

Vipergrün · 04-26-2003, 08:34 PM

I've got Bilstein Sports all the way around and love the ride! Also, as I just mentioned on another thread, I cut down the rubber bump stops per a recommendation on the Smart Racing site.

Wil Ferch · 04-28-2003, 05:39 AM

In your archive search you may find my post that warns of the car possibly raising ( anywhere from 1/8" to a full inch)..if you didn't have hi-pressure gas charged shocks to begin with, and now add gas shocks. Then, you're facing a re-lowering process...easy for the front and hard ( involved) for the rear. Koni makes low pressure / adjustable fronts...and fully hydraulic / adjustable rears ( rears with shorter-than-stock length to boot...nice for later lowering !). Adjustment is rebound only but uses a removable plastic knob on the top of the shocks...not like other Koni's that require a dismount of one-end. Nice.
---Wil Ferch