suspension?

[yousaidpoo]

i finally got my teener running right but i think the shocks and struts are either shot or getting there, and i want to replace them with a streetable, reasonably priced setup that will be able to work for the occasional autox race.

i will probably end up going with the bilsteins and 165# springs, but i was wondering about those kyb shocks/struts. I have heard they work well, but that was on a honda.

i'm not looking to go with sway bars (not yet at least) but i would like a decent, firm suspension that is still streetable. thanks for the input

[Tidybuoy]

If you can afford it - go with the Bilsteins.

KYB shocks are well known to be way to harsh for the 914. Probably due to the 914's lightness.

I'm sure many posts will follow with other opinions about the KYB's but I personally think they suck.

[SGB]

the difference between Bils and KYB is significant. KYBs are harsh and provide no control- poor rebound- they will shake parts loose. Save up for the Bilsteins. You can find 'em lower priced than PP (at vertex), but I'll bet PP would match the price. I would at leas try.....

[mike mueller]

kyb's suck...don't bother....

165# springs on the rear and NO front swaybar is going to be borderline dangerous....too stiff, the car is going to oversteer big time....rear end will want to "snap" around on you

i like the Koni yellows, soft for street, crank them for auto-x

[HarveyH]

Replaced KYB's with Bilsteins about a month ago. MAJOR improvement in ride quality. With the KYB's, every irregularity in the road surface (PA is known for it's fine roads ) was like hitting a brick. Bilsteins are firm, but compliant enough that the suspension works to smooth out the irregularities.
Bilsteins are more $$
KYB's suck

Harvey

[yousaidpoo]

thanks for the input. i was planning on going with the bilsteins anyways, but i hadnt thought about the rear springs being too stiff.

mike, where would be the best place to get some koni yellows? i would really like to have some adjustability and if they arent ridiculously expensive, i might give them a shot.

as far as springs, i guess a 140 would be more than able to handle what i want to do, since (at least for now) this is going to mainly be a street car.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Suspension setup is all about balance. With a stock front suspension and no sway bars, I still feel 140s will make the car quite tail-happy. I recommend going up in torsion bar size up front (~21mm looks about right), or going with an adjustable front sway bar in 19mm or 22mm size. (Doing both will probably make the car push like a Honda.)

I have a 19mm front bar and 140s on my car, and like the handling. When I have normal-size tires on the car, it's reasonably comfortable. (I have run 195-50s for years, though, which ain't so comfy....)

--DD

[sean_V8_914]

my V8 car has 21mm front torsion, stock fr sway, no rear sway, Koni yellow fr, red rear, 205 50 15. handlign is neutral. 165 progresive rear springs. I steer with the gas peddal. fr Konis set to middle of adjustment. tail wag is scarry with the rear sway bar hooked up.

yes, I know I need bigger tires.

[yousaidpoo]

alright most likely i will go with the bilsteins all the way around, 140# springs and a front sway bar, probably a 19 so it wont push as much