Rebound Rate - Stock Shocks vs Koni SA Full Soft
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Shelbyville, IN
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rebound Rate - Stock Shocks vs Koni SA Full Soft
hey guys,
Looking to set my suspension up. Car is about 90% Street, 10% Track.
Never will be autocrossed, and I am COMPLETELY satisfied with the stock handling. I don't have the nerve to push it on the street (guess i'm getting older, lol).
Anyhow car is a 2002 A4 Z28.
See a lot of Sam's posts for a 'decent' setup you can go with stock springs and koni SA shocks and set them full soft on the front when you want to launch it hard.
But I guess my question is the Koni SA shocks set at full soft still stiffer then the factory shocks (decarbons). If they are then there's really no need for me to run anything but the factory shocks ( won't go to qa1s). But if they can be less resistant or damn close to the factory shocks on rebound then I wouldn't mind the ability to improve the handling.
Or if anybody has an alternative shock option that would be close to the factory (if not still a little softer), but still have the ability to turn them up speak up. Thx.
Thanks
Looking to set my suspension up. Car is about 90% Street, 10% Track.
Never will be autocrossed, and I am COMPLETELY satisfied with the stock handling. I don't have the nerve to push it on the street (guess i'm getting older, lol).
Anyhow car is a 2002 A4 Z28.
See a lot of Sam's posts for a 'decent' setup you can go with stock springs and koni SA shocks and set them full soft on the front when you want to launch it hard.
But I guess my question is the Koni SA shocks set at full soft still stiffer then the factory shocks (decarbons). If they are then there's really no need for me to run anything but the factory shocks ( won't go to qa1s). But if they can be less resistant or damn close to the factory shocks on rebound then I wouldn't mind the ability to improve the handling.
Or if anybody has an alternative shock option that would be close to the factory (if not still a little softer), but still have the ability to turn them up speak up. Thx.
Thanks
#2
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MA
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm also interested in this.
I'll add another question.... how is the compression on the stock decarbons compared to Koni SA's compression. Other shocks? I'm sure a lot haven't been tested because I don't think most people have time to mess with this stuff.
I'll add another question.... how is the compression on the stock decarbons compared to Koni SA's compression. Other shocks? I'm sure a lot haven't been tested because I don't think most people have time to mess with this stuff.
#3
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
If you turn Koni's way down to or near full soft in front, weight transfer is not an issue. FWIW, most folks run the fronts around half stiff because they want better damping control than the softer end gives. Basically they have a wide range of adjustment, and at or near full soft is intended to critically damp stock V-6 springs (keep them under control) which are not very stiff. So you don't need tons of rebound to do that. But as you turn them up you get a lot more force when you want or need it.
Plenty of folks running good 60's on Koni's, and some even better than on "drag" shocks.
Plenty of folks running good 60's on Koni's, and some even better than on "drag" shocks.
__________________
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
#4
Sam its not that i don't believe your advise but a true drag shock will out perform a koni street shock on the drag strip every time. If you don't mind throw out some names of the "plenty of folks" that you are refering too.
#5
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
I don't remember names, I talk to far, far too many people on a daily basis. Of course I'm not helped by the fact most folks don't use their real names as screen names.
One man is named Karl Loper and lives in Maryland, though I don't know he's on this site. Another is on this site--I see to recall his name is John and he lives in Berkley Springs, WV (not even sure why I recall that).
I also recall more than once finding that folks didn't get their 60's hurt when changing to Koni's from stock. But you can ask that question yourself. Maybe start a poll.
One man is named Karl Loper and lives in Maryland, though I don't know he's on this site. Another is on this site--I see to recall his name is John and he lives in Berkley Springs, WV (not even sure why I recall that).
I also recall more than once finding that folks didn't get their 60's hurt when changing to Koni's from stock. But you can ask that question yourself. Maybe start a poll.
__________________
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
#6
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MA
Posts: 3,934
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10% track though sounds like they only want to go to the track a few times a year and aren't planning on pulling the front wheels or anything. Doesn't seem worth it to go with a set of drag shocks for that little amount of time spent at the track.
Trending Topics
#8
i have the koni singles on a 94 Z28 and Sam's bars F/R. i can tell you setting the front konis to 4 or 5 sweeps from full hard makes a comfortable but mushy ride. i also have GC coilovers/jackers F/R 500/150lbs
i like 7 (3 sweeps from full hard) in front and 0 (full soft) rear. very neutral handling and stable. 26.6"/27" fender heights.
i like 7 (3 sweeps from full hard) in front and 0 (full soft) rear. very neutral handling and stable. 26.6"/27" fender heights.
#9
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Shelbyville, IN
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll probably eventually go to a full drag setup, but don't have the power to even bother; nor do I want to do that with a lien still on the car...
#10
TECH Senior Member
Actually IMHO it was pretty badass with just Konis. You could push the car so hard and feel everything it was doing, while having great balance and control.
#11
Teching In
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure if this helps, but I just put Sam's Konis on my 95TA with worn out decarbons and stock springs.
I do not know what new decarbons feel like, but I can tell you that along with better handling, my car rides smoother on the highway and feels much more stable and predictable now. I do notice small bumps in the road a little more.
Also, the brake dive was greatly reduced, probably due to the better damping in the rear shocks (I got 3rd gen rears).
Long story short, even if you are happy with the stock handling, the Konis will feel much more stable and predictable on the street/90% while not giving an overly harsh ride.
I do not know what new decarbons feel like, but I can tell you that along with better handling, my car rides smoother on the highway and feels much more stable and predictable now. I do notice small bumps in the road a little more.
Also, the brake dive was greatly reduced, probably due to the better damping in the rear shocks (I got 3rd gen rears).
Long story short, even if you are happy with the stock handling, the Konis will feel much more stable and predictable on the street/90% while not giving an overly harsh ride.
#12
Launching!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
z28bryan wrote:
I'm also interested in this.
I'll add another question.... how is the compression on the stock decarbons compared to Koni SA's compression. Other shocks? I'm sure a lot haven't been tested because I don't think most people have time to mess with this stuff.
I'm also interested in this.
I'll add another question.... how is the compression on the stock decarbons compared to Koni SA's compression. Other shocks? I'm sure a lot haven't been tested because I don't think most people have time to mess with this stuff.
I would tend to think that the Koni's compression rate is lower than the deCarbons, but the rebound rate of the Koni's (even on the lowest setting) is higher than the deCarbons.
Can someone who know's for sure chime in?
#13
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Oshawa (Home of the 5th-gen)
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm surprised nobody is chiming in with their Koni & 1/4 mile experience?! I've only had my car on the road for about ~1 month (or less) since putting in the Strano setup, and while I've already done 2 weekends on the road course, I've not (yet) done any drag racing.
When I do, I guess I'll find out if/how much the Koni's have hurt my 60' times. I suspect that with the fronts softened up, it won't be bad.
And the beauty is, all it takes is a stupid little allen key to completely change the feel of the car!! At the track, I tightened up the rebound. When I was leaving the track, I softened it up for the street. Noticeable difference, and perfect performance/behaviour for both situations . I think these Koni's are great .
When I do, I guess I'll find out if/how much the Koni's have hurt my 60' times. I suspect that with the fronts softened up, it won't be bad.
And the beauty is, all it takes is a stupid little allen key to completely change the feel of the car!! At the track, I tightened up the rebound. When I was leaving the track, I softened it up for the street. Noticeable difference, and perfect performance/behaviour for both situations . I think these Koni's are great .
#14
Launching!
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This hasn't been answered. How does the Koni SA's compression compare to deCarbons? Also, with the Koni SA's on full soft for reboud.. how does this compare to the rate on the deCarbons.
#15
LS1TECH Sponsor
iTrader: (41)
You won't get an answer I'd guess. The front compression on DeCarbon's isn't horrible, the rear is very stiff. Koni and DeCarbon compression in front is pretty similar, rears are very different and rebound is big time different @ both ends.
__________________
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