What brand of shocks are white?

RallyJon · 10-23-2002, 09:42 AM

The rear shocks on my 71 911 are white. The fronts are red/orange (Konis, I assume) but none of the references mentions white shocks. The car has a pretty extreme track suspension, so I'm sure they're not stock.

Any ideas?

Thanks, -Jon

racemor · 10-23-2002, 09:45 AM

My Tokico Illumina adjustables are white. But they are on an autocross Miata, don't know if they are made for a 911.

Tom

gregk1 · 10-23-2002, 09:51 AM

KYB's are white they should have a sticker on them

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

KYB=Kill yer back.....

Throw them away and get some Konis or Billsteins.....

RallyJon · 10-23-2002, 10:15 AM

Quote:

KYB=Kill yer back

Hahaha! They may have had a sticker when new, but not now. Thanks.

Follow-up question: Coming from the world of modern car suspension tuning, you have to pay a lot of attention to the valving and working range of a shock/strut. My 911 is really low right now, and has large torsion and sway bars. Yet there is only one Koni "sport" strut I see listed. If this strut is designed to work at stock ride height, with stock torsion bar rates, how will it handle a very low car with big bars?

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

I had some Rancho RS5000's on my old Toyota truck that were white. Do they have red boots?

Tom

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

thats what my thinking was tom,, my tacoma has ranchos too.

scarebus · 10-23-2002, 12:19 PM

My '77 911 had KYBs(white) in the rear when I bouhgt it. Replaced with Koni Sports Adjustables(yellow).

Plays with cars · Plays with cars's Garage

I'm not a shock expert, but here's my $0.02. 99% certain you have KYBs on the car. Good shock for the price, but somewhat crude when compared to Koni or Bilstein. They tend to be stiff. Bilsteins are perhaps the most refined, but not tunable for specific situations (ie autocross). Koni is a good compromise between ride and performance because you can tune the rebound.

To your question about matching shock charateristics: both Koni and Bilstein can tune to your specific suspension and driving style. Give them a call and they can explain what they can do for you. Too low can be a problem for all of the standard shocks available for your car. If the shock bottoms out it can be damaged. All use some kind of rubber bumper to prevent bottoming, but if you're continually hitting it there will be a dramatic shift in spring rate that can have some undesirable effects on the handling. I haven't seen shocks designed specifically for a lowered 911 advertised anywhere, but I'm sure they exist.

pwd72s · 06:05 PM

Shocks??? I just put a set of the latest Edelbrocks on Cindy's little "chick truck". Amazing! Alas, they don't make 'em for 911, and I wish they did. F1 technology valving they claim. I'm a believer. If anybody here needs to re-shock a Detroit iron machine? Call 'em, ask for the free video they offer. These things work! I'm out cornering ricers in a '99 Ford Ranger, and the shocks are the only suspension change. 911 shocks? Back in the late 70's, Grady Clay explained the basics to several of us. The more you lower the car, the more you need to increase torsion bar size, If you don't. the suspension, and shock travel, bottoms out. Shocks can be adjusted for travel, but it takes machining...all that adjusting ride height does is lower or raise the center of gravity and make you look cool. But it's handling improvements are miniscule compared to other (more expensive) things that can be done.