Afterthoughts on aftermarket springs/shocks
05-06-2010, 04:54 PM
#1
Afterthoughts on aftermarket springs/shocks Like the title says...
I would like your afterthoughts on your aftermarket springs and shocks, how if handles, feels, rides, looks and any other afterthoughts, would you recommend it? And which ones you have on your car.
Thanks
I would like your afterthoughts on your aftermarket springs and shocks, how if handles, feels, rides, looks and any other afterthoughts, would you recommend it? And which ones you have on your car.
Thanks
05-07-2010, 02:09 AM
#2
i care about performance. i push my car more than your average driver. my car wears r compound tires 24/7 365 days a year (southern california).
i initially went with eibach prokit springs with bilstein hd shocks. i then switched out the rear springs for strano's and went with koni sa shocks.
it seemed to handle ok with the eibach/bilstein, but was really limited and shitty overall when it came to performance. some corners (talking about on the street) would leave me thinking my wife's escort zx2 would hand me my *** if i were racing against it. i could write a lot about my problems with the setup, but one thing that really got me was that there was too much roll action that i now realize the shocks should have been controlling. with eibach springs, they suck, but bilstein hd shocks seem like they would be good for stock springs.
if i had to do it all over again, i would just go straight for the koni sa shocks and strano springs and be happy i never gave second thought to any other suggestions.
i initially went with eibach prokit springs with bilstein hd shocks. i then switched out the rear springs for strano's and went with koni sa shocks.
it seemed to handle ok with the eibach/bilstein, but was really limited and shitty overall when it came to performance. some corners (talking about on the street) would leave me thinking my wife's escort zx2 would hand me my *** if i were racing against it. i could write a lot about my problems with the setup, but one thing that really got me was that there was too much roll action that i now realize the shocks should have been controlling. with eibach springs, they suck, but bilstein hd shocks seem like they would be good for stock springs.
if i had to do it all over again, i would just go straight for the koni sa shocks and strano springs and be happy i never gave second thought to any other suggestions.
05-07-2010, 11:19 AM
#3
I have Koni SA's with the stock springs. I like taking corners, and really wanted to improve the feel/ride and get a little more confidence from my car. I didn't really want to lower my car or increase rates by much as some roads around here are pretty crappy, but it made a huge difference! There seems to be almost no roll in the corners, it feels much more stable when hitting a bump while turning, and impacts don't seem to be as jarring as I thought they would. It even got rid of pretty much all of my little rattles in the car (I heard proper dampening could do this, but didn't think it would be significant).
Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. If I eventually lower the car I'll probably go with Strano's, but for now it feels a lot better than stock.
As far as looks, it's stock, but I love the ground clearance when you see bumps in the road!
Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. If I eventually lower the car I'll probably go with Strano's, but for now it feels a lot better than stock.
As far as looks, it's stock, but I love the ground clearance when you see bumps in the road!
05-24-2010, 11:56 AM
#6
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I just installed Koni's and the love for my car turned into a heated passion! I had crappy stock shocks and after the upgrade I can't get enough of tight corners.
I'm running stock springs, BMR LCA's, Panhard Bar, Subframe connectors, and strut tower brace. Strano Hollow Sway bars on the way!
I'm running stock springs, BMR LCA's, Panhard Bar, Subframe connectors, and strut tower brace. Strano Hollow Sway bars on the way!
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05-24-2010, 08:12 PM
#8
Your probably going to find the most praise on this site for Koni's. Actually... on MOST car forums you are going to find some very good reviews for Koni shocks/struts. They are a little more expensive than the other choices but for handling it seems as if the Strano springs and Koni dampeners are the choice of champions. 
I personally run ground control coilovers 550LB springs up front and 175 springs out back with SLP bilstein shocks. It's a decent set up for the money. It is GREATLY improved over stock but as stated previously does not do the job as well as the Koni's. It's a revolving door, if you've got the budget to buy Koni's do so, if not Bilstein's are a decent dampener and definitely worth a consideration. GL!
I personally run ground control coilovers 550LB springs up front and 175 springs out back with SLP bilstein shocks. It's a decent set up for the money. It is GREATLY improved over stock but as stated previously does not do the job as well as the Koni's. It's a revolving door, if you've got the budget to buy Koni's do so, if not Bilstein's are a decent dampener and definitely worth a consideration. GL!
05-24-2010, 10:41 PM
#9
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I love my koni SA with the eibach pro kit. Now that said i will explain. I love the way the car handles but the ride quality is compromised as to be expected when you put lowering springs on a fbody. I would also like to say I have alot more supporting suspension mods to go along with upgraded shocks and springs. This contributes to my car handling much better and riding alot stiffer than stock. If I had to do it all over again I would do it the same. I enjoy a car that handles awesome over a car that hauls ***.
Last edited by musclehead; 05-24-2010 at 10:50 PM.
05-25-2010, 01:04 PM
#12
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I went with strano/koni's... perfect balance of a performance street setup in my opinion. Lots more comfortable than many cars I've driven on stock suspensions actually.
05-25-2010, 02:19 PM
#13
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I'm not sure if Strano springs were even available at that time, so that might by why you didn't know about it.
I went with strano/koni's... perfect balance of a performance street setup in my opinion. Lots more comfortable than many cars I've driven on stock suspensions actually.
I went with strano/koni's... perfect balance of a performance street setup in my opinion. Lots more comfortable than many cars I've driven on stock suspensions actually.
05-25-2010, 03:01 PM
#14
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Stranoparts.com.. can't remember the exact pricing but I'm pretty sure it was similar to what it is now.
I'm not BSing either. I don't jump on bandwagons. This is my own opinion that I've derived over the years after driving a few different cars. Strano/koni setup in my opinion rides a heck of a lot better than tons of cars on stock suspension. Specifically I hate all STI's on stock suspenion. I tried a 335i BMW sport package that rode rougher than my Camaro. There's others that I can't think of off the top of my head. I've been saying it for years.. I still feel the same way. I just don't say it as much.. the threads are out there. I'd get tired of saying it in every new thread about suspension recommendations that comes up every day.
I'm not BSing either. I don't jump on bandwagons. This is my own opinion that I've derived over the years after driving a few different cars. Strano/koni setup in my opinion rides a heck of a lot better than tons of cars on stock suspension. Specifically I hate all STI's on stock suspenion. I tried a 335i BMW sport package that rode rougher than my Camaro. There's others that I can't think of off the top of my head. I've been saying it for years.. I still feel the same way. I just don't say it as much.. the threads are out there. I'd get tired of saying it in every new thread about suspension recommendations that comes up every day.
06-13-2010, 08:47 PM
#16
I've had 4 suspension setups over 11 years, now riding on the Koni SA/Strano combo and it is the best for racing and autox. I will say the konis on stock springs on the front lowering perch and the rear isolaters removed runs a great second place for extreme comfort and driveabilty for a DD.
06-13-2010, 09:14 PM
#17
I drive my car in the summer only and for pleasure only. No daily driving, track use or drag racing. My first attempt at lowering was Eibach Prokits (before Sam had his springs) with Strano's revalved Bilsteins. Wasn't happy at all. The rear was way too soft and it felt like I was riding on the bumpstops most of the time. When I hit a large bump, the rear end would definitely crash on the bump stops. After a season or two of this I finally called to Sam. I told him how I use my car and he suggested changing to his springs and getting rid of the SLP bumpstops (my car is a Firehawk) and going with the standard f-bady units. If that didn't get the car to where I wanted it, then it would be Koni time.
The difference is night and day. The Strano springs with the Bilstein revalves give me a great ride and the car has a very nice stance. Does it handle as good as a Koni equipped car - probably not - but that wasn't my objective.
Once again, not a commercial for a particular vendor - just an example of determining what your objective is and then putting together a package that meets that objective.
The difference is night and day. The Strano springs with the Bilstein revalves give me a great ride and the car has a very nice stance. Does it handle as good as a Koni equipped car - probably not - but that wasn't my objective.
Once again, not a commercial for a particular vendor - just an example of determining what your objective is and then putting together a package that meets that objective.
06-13-2010, 11:45 PM
#18
My 00 Formula is my daily driver. No road racing, autox, or anything like that - just the drag strip. In fact, I live in Kansas and there are hardly any curves in the roads. That being said ...
After installing SFC's and experiencing an unbearable increase in impact harshness, I called Sam. He advised Bilsteins and he was right - the improvement in ride quality was unbelievable. Plus handling got better as well.
I removed the rear isolators, and wanted to lower the front. So I went with Koni's on the lower perch. I was suprised to find that they were considerably harsher than the Bilsteins. After playing with the adjustment and having them wear in, I'm fine with them now. Koni's may be the handling kings, but IMO, nothing rides better than Bilsteins.
After installing SFC's and experiencing an unbearable increase in impact harshness, I called Sam. He advised Bilsteins and he was right - the improvement in ride quality was unbelievable. Plus handling got better as well.
I removed the rear isolators, and wanted to lower the front. So I went with Koni's on the lower perch. I was suprised to find that they were considerably harsher than the Bilsteins. After playing with the adjustment and having them wear in, I'm fine with them now. Koni's may be the handling kings, but IMO, nothing rides better than Bilsteins.
06-14-2010, 12:31 PM
#19
I went with Strano springs and sway bars along with Koni shocks about two years ago. Probably the best mod I've done to date. I like the ride better and it feels way more controlled at higher speeds. It looks a bit better now too!
