Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Speed Bumps w/ Koni's. >:(

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-27-2006, 12:56 AM
  #1  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
CaptUSA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Speed Bumps w/ Koni's. >:(

I've got the Koni SA's on the lower perch and heater hose mod. I went this route because I didn't want to worry about every little bump in the road. Unfortunately, even minor speed bumps are a PITA to get over. I've already destroyed my cats.

Is this normal?
Old 11-27-2006, 05:22 AM
  #2  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
BlackHawk T/A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 2,869
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Wow what kind of speed bumps are you going over? It takes a good one to even hit my dumped duals with turndowns. My car has the WS.6 4x4 offroad suspension option though so thats probably helping.
Old 11-27-2006, 07:53 AM
  #3  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (10)
 
chupr0kabra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pearland, TX
Posts: 3,779
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Any time you lower, you've got to change your driving style or learn to enjoy scraping. At stock ride height with stock cats and y-pipe, I scraped on some speed bumps. After lowering, I had to learn to avoid them altogether. I'm much more aware of driveways, speed bumps and bumpy roads.


-Mike
Old 11-27-2006, 08:32 AM
  #4  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
CaptUSA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Yeah, I know you/re right. I don't know how you guys who really slam your cars can even drive them. I'm lowered a grand total of 3/4", and speed bumps > me.

Oh well. I'm getting some 18" Z06's soon. Hopefully that'll help a little.

Thanks for letting me vent. (I had just taken a non painted speed bump @ 15mph)
Old 11-27-2006, 12:05 PM
  #5  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
rocket22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Mo
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Going 18's will make alittle worse because taking sidewall out the tire and it will lower the car alittle more.
Old 11-27-2006, 12:48 PM
  #6  
Copy & Paste Moderator
 
VIP1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Eastern MA
Posts: 9,714
Likes: 0
Received 187 Likes on 141 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by rocket22
Going 18's will make alittle worse because taking sidewall out the tire and it will lower the car alittle more.
Not quite.
Its the overall diameter of the tire thats of concern. You can have 18" wheel and tire combo with the same overall diameter as the stock 16" wheel and tire combo.
Old 11-27-2006, 12:56 PM
  #7  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
02SS#406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by CaptUSA
I've got the Koni SA's on the lower perch and heater hose mod. I went this route because I didn't want to worry about every little bump in the road. Unfortunately, even minor speed bumps are a PITA to get over. I've already destroyed my cats.

Is this normal?
Hey Captain, I'm about to do this myself (Koni SA's and heater hose mod). Can you please tell me what the actual drop is on your car? I also have an '02 SS. Thanks!
Old 11-27-2006, 05:54 PM
  #8  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
CaptUSA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I didn't do a 'before' measurment. If you like, I can go out tonight and measure to the tops of the wheel wells for you.

I can tell you that even with this irritation, the mod was WELL worth it. Car handles like a totally different animal.
Old 11-27-2006, 07:03 PM
  #9  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
02SS#406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by CaptUSA
I didn't do a 'before' measurment. If you like, I can go out tonight and measure to the tops of the wheel wells for you.

I can tell you that even with this irritation, the mod was WELL worth it. Car handles like a totally different animal.
That's what I want to hear! My front (stock) sits at 27 1/2" to the fender-lip, and the rear sits at 28 1/4". Any info you could pass along to me, would be a great help. I had considered the Hotchkis springs, but feel like the Koni's will still accomplish what I want.
Old 11-28-2006, 05:37 PM
  #10  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
 
CaptUSA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

With 285/40/R17 tires (bald) My front sits at 27 1/8", and the rear sits at 27 3/8".

So it wasn't much of a drop from stock I see. Just enough to make speed bumps annoying. :shrug:

Hope this helps.

Old 11-28-2006, 07:43 PM
  #11  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
02SS#406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by CaptUSA
With 285/40/R17 tires (bald) My front sits at 27 1/8", and the rear sits at 27 3/8".

So it wasn't much of a drop from stock I see. Just enough to make speed bumps annoying. :shrug:

Hope this helps.

Thanks Captain, that helps a lot. I was on the phone today with Sam Strano, discussing the way to go with this. I'm probably going to go Koni SA.
Old 11-29-2006, 10:58 AM
  #12  
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
 
Sam Strano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Brookville, PA
Posts: 9,581
Received 130 Likes on 84 Posts

Default

Hope I helped.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450

18 SCCA National Championships in house, many more for our customers prove we know our stuff.Talk is cheap, results matter.

Check out our KONI prices, our Master Cylinder Brace, and new Xtracker Hub/wheel bearing upgrade kits!
Old 11-29-2006, 11:18 AM
  #13  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
02SS#406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yes, you did. I drove a friends car last night, that has a Pro-kit and the SLP version of the Bilstein's...not the re-valves I "thought" he had. To be brief, didn't like it. But...he called an acquaintance that has a Koni SA 4/3 set-up, and I'll drive that tonight.
Old 11-29-2006, 12:45 PM
  #14  
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (8)
 
The Guz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Lawndale, CA (310)
Posts: 3,457
Received 12 Likes on 12 Posts

Default

I have hotchkis springs with 4th gen koni's all the way around. I have only scraped one time going over a speed bump. The front scrapes the driveway but it is not that bad. It scraped before when I had stock springs.
Old 11-29-2006, 12:56 PM
  #15  
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
 
Sam Strano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Brookville, PA
Posts: 9,581
Received 130 Likes on 84 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 02SS#406
Yes, you did. I drove a friends car last night, that has a Pro-kit and the SLP version of the Bilstein's...not the re-valves I "thought" he had. To be brief, didn't like it. But...he called an acquaintance that has a Koni SA 4/3 set-up, and I'll drive that tonight.
Oh yeah, I bet you didn't like that setup much, and that's why I recommended against you going with a set of lowering springs. I just don't think they are a match for what you are looking for.

Does this other guy have stock springs or not? Remember, you have take all the differences into account. Hopefully his car is stock but for the shocks so you can get a good idea. Even then, the shocks can be changed, you'll only be feeling them @ a particular setting, but I'm sure you'll find it much better regardless of what it is.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450

18 SCCA National Championships in house, many more for our customers prove we know our stuff.Talk is cheap, results matter.

Check out our KONI prices, our Master Cylinder Brace, and new Xtracker Hub/wheel bearing upgrade kits!
Old 11-29-2006, 12:57 PM
  #16  
TECH Fanatic
 
gun5l1ng3r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by BlackHawk T/A
Wow what kind of speed bumps are you going over? It takes a good one to even hit my dumped duals with turndowns.
The Kalifornia type!
Here in SoCal, they make speed bumps that only trucks can get over.
Old 11-29-2006, 04:54 PM
  #17  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
rocket22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Mo
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Whats the differnce in the to perch settings,1/2 or more.
Old 11-29-2006, 05:19 PM
  #18  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
02SS#406's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Most folks say it's about a 3/4" drop in front.
Old 11-29-2006, 05:23 PM
  #19  
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
 
Sam Strano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Brookville, PA
Posts: 9,581
Received 130 Likes on 84 Posts

Default

Yeah, it's about 5/8"-3/4" or so on the lower perch.
__________________
www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450

18 SCCA National Championships in house, many more for our customers prove we know our stuff.Talk is cheap, results matter.

Check out our KONI prices, our Master Cylinder Brace, and new Xtracker Hub/wheel bearing upgrade kits!
Old 11-30-2006, 09:36 PM
  #20  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
rocket22's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Mo
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

If you using a lower spring thats say a 1.3 drop you would do better to use the top setting,unless you want the front slammed.Can you change perch setting with the shock on the car.


Quick Reply: Speed Bumps w/ Koni's. >:(



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:55 PM.