What's a good shock for the rear? (See inside for the current setup)

[Zeke]

I have a choice of Koni Reds and Koni Sports for my 911 front shocks. I have both kinds of the shocks on the bench. I will use 23mm front and 26mm rear T-bars. I have the matching Reds for the rear (6 shocks in all). So, if I decide the use the yellow Sports, what is the = for the rear knowing that Koni doesn't make rear Sports?

[89911]

23-26 seems odd for an early light car with very little weight in the front. Why so?

[Zeke]

I made a mistake. I am trading my 23's for some 21's. I've got numbers on the brain. I am looking for the 26's as we speak.

[vash]

hollow ones?

[nostatic]

Bilstein sports? Seems what I've read indicates if you go with bigger t-bars then sports come into their own...although 26 isn't that big in the back. Can the Konis be revalved?

[89911]

That sound better. I was picturing a car that would hit a bump and the front end would wheely everytime

[Zeke]

Originally posted by unfixed
hollow ones?

Doesn't matter. According to the charts, the spring rates are very similar. I'm not splitting hairs.

Todd, revalving/rebuilding is a good idea. I don't know what to ask for though, and I'm skeptical about advice except from here.

That was a good point about the light car. Narrow wheels, too (7's for the track). Not a lot to push on the bars.

I just don't want it to drive like this:

[nostatic]

Milt, if you're smart you'd be skeptical from advice from me. Unless it is about something like marital issues...

I think asking Tyson and/or DaveB would be a good idea. They've built enough of 'em to probably have seen and driven every combination. Or don't the guys at Smart Racing do the revalving?

[Jeff Alton]

I have 21s in the front with the sport yellows. They are ok at full soft. shoulda coulda woulda got the reds. I have rear Koni yellow sports on my car and love them on the rear with the 27s. My car would be heavier despite my best efforts though, and that will obviously affect things.

Jeff

[Zeke]

Originally posted by catca
I have 21s in the front with the sport yellows. They are ok at full soft. shoulda coulda woulda got the reds. I have rear Koni yellow sports on my car and love them on the rear with the 27s. My car would be heavier despite my best efforts though, and that will obviously affect things.

Jeff

Where do you get "rear Koni yellow sports?" That is the issue here.

I try not to ask redundant and/or stupid questions here. This one area is troublesome and I feel the answer everyone has come up with up to this point is to just avoid Konis altogether. I'm always paddling upstream.

[Wil Ferch]

Check out what I say here:

Front Koni reds/Rear Koni Yellows?

...don't know how this translates to pre-74 cars, though. If Pelican can't help, try Jason at Paragon Products who does a lot of Koni-specific applications.

--Wil Ferch

[Randy Webb]

Is trying both out of the question? Then you'd know for sure.

You might also try calling/Emailing Craig at Smart Racing Prods. Bilstein seems to have worked out what is best for their shocks on 911s, and maybe Koni has too - I'm sure they have a web site.

[Zeke]

Still no info on Sports, gas or non gas for a '71.

I know I can call these shock houses and gurus for advice. You guys are the ones I want to hear from. Thanks.

[Jeff Alton]

I got them from my local shop who got them from Koni NA. I will look up the part number when I get home, but I think it is 1039 or 1037 sp or similair of the top of my head.

These are the sport gas shock. I *think* that they used to make a hydraulic rear sport as well and that is the one that is hard to obtain.

Jeff

[Jeff Alton]

Ok, actually they are 1214sport models. The Koni-NA site lists a few different applications, these are for the 75-89 models. I got this number from the site, but I will double check my invoice when I get home.

Jeff

[Wil Ferch]

In the thread that I posted before ( that..ahem...nobody is reading!...) I say I'm running an "early" part number on my 85 Carrera...Koni rear yellow Sport ( hydraulic) 8210-1159. Shorter than stock by about 2" and lends itself well to lowering a car and still having the shock "in-range". Rebound damping adjustable via a removable round plastic knob...just like the "modern" gas fronts. Sweet.

Ask if this fits an early car. Can't see why not...but ask...

----Wil

[911pcars]

Rear shocks for a '74 or later 911 won't fit earlier cars. The alloy rear control arm used on later cars have a different lower shock mount.

Also, not sure Koni makes a yellow sport shock for early 911s. You could revalve the earlier red Konis, however.

Sherwood

[Wil Ferch]

Sherwood:
I understand the drill...that the lower mounts are different, but all I'm saying is how-so? Isn't it still a "hole" for the shock bottom? That was the reason I mention that it might be worthwhile to ask. I was told this shock was an "early" version , hence it being 2" shorter. Works OK for my 85,however.


---Wil

[911pcars]

Hi Wil,
The top shock mounts are typically the same; threaded stem.

The early shock clamps to the control arm with a nut and bolt (maybe around 10mm?).

The later shocks use a single bolt (14mm) into a threaded boss in the control arm.

Sherwood

Early control arm (steel) on left; Alloy arm on right