Indestructible Koni shocks

ljowdy · 06:49 AM

This is my 1973.5 that I purchased in March of 2007. It came from the factory with full "S" trim including "S" suspension and "S" aluminum calipers. Over the course of the last year and 4 months, I've done a myriad of things to the car including upgraded the AC with components from Griffiths and, I installed a 3.2 engine with a Steve Wong chip.

The one thing I wasn't happy with was the soft suspension as it was just too sloppy for my taste. (great for a Cadillac but lousy for a Porsche)

The car has the original Orange Koni shocks and after finding that it was going to cost me around $700+ bucks to replace them, I decided to try adjusting them before I plunked down a bunch of green backs.

I inspected all 4 shocks and found no leaks so I then went through the adjustment process and tightened the rebound by 1 1/2 turns. Remarkably, they adjusted just as Koni said they would.

Granted they have 35 year old technology built into them but, it made a world of difference in how the car handled and felt while traveling down the road. Someday, I'll change out the struts to accommodate Bilsteins but for now, I'm happy with the outcome.

billwagnon · 07-27-2008, 05:45 AM

When it's time, why not replace the Koni shocks? I think it would be a lot more expensive to replace the struts to accomodate Bilsteins.

Is it a T? You'll find a lot of resistance to the idea that it came from the factory with Koni shocks.

ljowdy · 07-27-2008, 05:51 AM

Resist away, it did come with Koni's along with front and rear anti-sway bars etc.

Yes it will be less expensive to replace the Koni's but for now, it's not needed as there is still plenty of "turns" left in the original Koni's.

Personally, I believe the Billsteins provide a better ride and better handling but that's subjective to the user.

jhora · 07-27-2008, 06:43 AM

If you like what you got...

Send them to Koni and have them rebuild your old shocks...

http://www.koniracing.com/shopservices.html

ljowdy · 07-27-2008, 06:48 AM

Thanks, I called Koni and passed on the rebuild as it takes quite a while and I don't want the car "laid up" during that process. Besides, if I repleced them, I'd probably go with new Koni's or, as I said buy new front struts with Bilsteins.

For "right now" the 35 year old shocks are working fine so no need to change them until they won't adjust any further.

signature65 · 07-27-2008, 06:20 PM

Hey I have a 73 that has the Koni shocks too. So they are on the car and I dont know how they got there. Dont know the visual difference with the "S" and "M" calipers so I dont know which ones I have. How difficult was it to adjust the Konis. I'm about to do all my bushings and this will be on my list. Thanks

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Post a photo of your calipers, I will tell you what kind you have unless someone beats me to the punch

ljowdy · 07-28-2008, 04:45 AM

Darren.

I raised one side of my car at a time. I removed the front tires, top nut on the shock/strut, lowered the control arm, removed the shock dust cover and then removed a rubber bump stop. Collapse the shock and rotate it and you'll feel the shock rod engage into the adjustment mechanism. Once the shock is fully collapsed and engaged with the mechanism, turn it clock wise to tighten Rebound or counterclockwise to loosen Rebound. Once you have it adjusted where you want it, extend the shock rod, re-attach the rubber bump stop and the dust cover and finally the nut that holds it to the car.

It's best to totally remove the rear shocks to adjust them. The same rubber bump stop is present and there isn't enough room to just drop the top of the shock..

arrivederci · 07-28-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billwagnon

When it's time, why not replace the Koni shocks? I think it would be a lot more expensive to replace the struts to accomodate Bilsteins.

Is it a T? You'll find a lot of resistance to the idea that it came from the factory with Koni shocks.

I always thought many T's ordered with an S options package. I've never seen the included options listed out. I know it came with an S gauge set and S trim.

My T has Konis as well as what looked like factory sway bar mounts. Maybe it's time that I pony up and get a cert of authenticity.

jhora · 07-28-2008, 06:07 AM

get a magnet out and see if it sticks to the caliper...if so probably a steel "M".... if not then should be an aluminum "S"

billwagnon · 07-28-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

I always thought many T's ordered with an S options package. I've never seen the included options listed out. I know it came with an S gauge set and S trim.

My T has Konis as well as what looked like factory sway bar mounts. Maybe it's time that I pony up and get a cert of authenticity.

I'm in the same boat - but others differ. Seems kind of strange there are so many T models with the S suspension options if it wasn't a regular setup from the factory in 1973.

Brake ??? on 1973 911T

BillM · 07-28-2008, 10:06 AM

Koni shocks were a factory option.
I sat with a friend in 1973 as she tried to order a 911T Targa. The dealer sales manager tried to talk her out of the Konis saying they would be too harsh,etc. etc. But she knew what she wanted. This was not her first 911. She ended up finding a car from another dealer that had just what she wanted, including the shocks and the S trim option.

arrivederci · 07-28-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillM

Koni shocks were a factory option.
I sat with a friend in 1973 as she tried to order a 911T Targa. The dealer sales manager tried to talk her out of the Konis saying they would be too harsh,etc. etc. But she knew what she wanted. This was not her first 911. She ended up finding a car from another dealer that had just what she wanted, including the shocks and the S trim option.

So I'm assuming Koni equipped cars were also fitted with the aluminum S calipers...

Patrice911 · Patrice911's Garage

My 73.5 had exactly the same S option including brake caliper, Koni shock than yours.
I had the shock rebuilt in double adjustable one ( Koni ). The outside is the same but the inside is different. Seem like there was quite a few T with the full S option built in 73.

timc · 07-28-2008, 10:46 AM

I had a 71T that came from the factory with S brakes, Konis, and the front steel lip spoiler.

Superman · 07-28-2008, 01:04 PM

I am a Bilstein man. Let me say that upfront. Overall, they are the world's best shocks. But I have learned that Koni's are superior for autocross. Without question. Adjusted to full race, their rebound stiffness is WAY greater than Bilstein and that is what it takes to avoid unsettling the car in the violence we call "autocross."

signature65 · 07-28-2008, 02:59 PM

ok I gotta go pull a wheel off now. the suspense is killing me.