Konis vs. Bilstein for daily driver
Konis vs. Bilstein for daily driver Ok, here's the scoop. My car is a driver (20k+ per year) and I plan to keep it for a while. Even if it becomes a pure toy in the future, it will still be a road car - no track or road course time of any consequence. I have no desire to lower this car with springs, though if I get Konis I may use the lower perch in front to offset the rear sag my car has now and level this baby out. This car scrapes enough around here as is without lowering it further.
I am looking for the maximum benefit to comfort AND handling without compromising one or the other. It is unlikely that I'll actually use the adjustability of the Konis, at least once they are set up properly. Given I want improved all around performance with a bias towards comfort, are the Konis really worth more than double the price? I will eventually do Sam's sway bar combo, either at the same time as the Bilsteins or later if I go Konis. In my mind I see driving this car with Sam's sway bars and Konis on a soft setting but am wondering if Bilstein's will do that just as well sacrificing only adjustability. Is that crazy?
You can see from my suspension mods that I like to tighten and quiet the car down as much as possible. I have added MUCH sound deadening to the car with great success and will add more later. I'm wishing I'd done shocks first but now I can do them and maxmize the benefits of the mods I have done.
I would GREATLY appreciate input from those with firsthand experience with the Bilsteins and Konis. I'm trying to arrange a test ride/drive in a Koni equipped car to see for myself. Anyone in Houston got Bilsteins or Konis with stock springs?
Thanks!
Jason
I am looking for the maximum benefit to comfort AND handling without compromising one or the other. It is unlikely that I'll actually use the adjustability of the Konis, at least once they are set up properly. Given I want improved all around performance with a bias towards comfort, are the Konis really worth more than double the price? I will eventually do Sam's sway bar combo, either at the same time as the Bilsteins or later if I go Konis. In my mind I see driving this car with Sam's sway bars and Konis on a soft setting but am wondering if Bilstein's will do that just as well sacrificing only adjustability. Is that crazy?
You can see from my suspension mods that I like to tighten and quiet the car down as much as possible. I have added MUCH sound deadening to the car with great success and will add more later. I'm wishing I'd done shocks first but now I can do them and maxmize the benefits of the mods I have done.
I would GREATLY appreciate input from those with firsthand experience with the Bilsteins and Konis. I'm trying to arrange a test ride/drive in a Koni equipped car to see for myself. Anyone in Houston got Bilsteins or Konis with stock springs?
Thanks!
Jason
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 158
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
The first thing I would do is speak with Sam Strano and talk to him about your setup. I don't have any experience with Bilstein's, but I can tell you that the Koni's are sick. The ride is much better than stock and obviously when you hit a bump it's stiffer than stock, but doesn't hurt your kidneys or chatter your teeth IMO.
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I have Bilsteins on my T/A, just recently installed them.
So far I've been very happy, they are excellent shocks. Obviously you can't use them on lowered vehicles, but if my car sat any lower I wouldn't be able to get out of my driveway anyhow
So far I've been very happy, they are excellent shocks. Obviously you can't use them on lowered vehicles, but if my car sat any lower I wouldn't be able to get out of my driveway anyhow
Originally Posted by PICNIC_GEORGE
Are the KONI sport rear shocks adjustable or are just the fronts as far as the spring perch(ride hieght) is concerned?
-Mike
Last edited by chupr0kabra; Jul 13, 2006 at 08:16 AM.
Koni's are the BEST shock out there, but that doesn't mean Sam will recommend them for your application. Revalved Bilstein's work GREAT with aftermarket springs...
Do you have aftermarket springs?
If not, and if you want to save some $$$, there are other possibilities out there, and you will still have a nice ride.
Now...If you want the BEST, then Koni's all the way. The Single adjustable shocks will give you the options of changing springs depending on your preferences, so that's a good thing.
BTW, I've had tried a few different shocks on my first 4th-gen, I learned enough to know that either the revalved Bilstein's or the Koni's are THE best shock options for a great handling 4th-gen f-body.
Do you have aftermarket springs?
If not, and if you want to save some $$$, there are other possibilities out there, and you will still have a nice ride.
Now...If you want the BEST, then Koni's all the way. The Single adjustable shocks will give you the options of changing springs depending on your preferences, so that's a good thing.
BTW, I've had tried a few different shocks on my first 4th-gen, I learned enough to know that either the revalved Bilstein's or the Koni's are THE best shock options for a great handling 4th-gen f-body.
Originally Posted by Carlos01SS
Koni's are the BEST shock out there, but that doesn't mean Sam will recommend them for your application.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
well bad6as, I can't tell you that without speaking to you. 
Sorry. Too many things I can't know.
Sorry. Too many things I can't know.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
Sam..
I'll be giving you a call real soon. I'm going back to stock springs and I'm trying to decide between the HD's and the SA's. My car is also a daily driver
Hopefully you can steer me in the right direction
I'll be giving you a call real soon. I'm going back to stock springs and I'm trying to decide between the HD's and the SA's. My car is also a daily driver
Hopefully you can steer me in the right direction
my car is lowered with hotchkis springs and i have bilstein hd shocks... the ride is only slightly stiffer than stock, maybe that has to do with the drop not being a big one? i'm happy.
Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I'll be calling Sam soon, I just know that phone call will be one involving a credit card! 
Been thinking about this a long time and am getting ready to pull the trigger.
Been thinking about this a long time and am getting ready to pull the trigger. 