Stranos and konis overkill for a DD?
08-12-2008, 12:25 PM
#21
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That's the misconception that I think many people naturally have. "Shocks that perform better are stiffer and harder on the street". It's not the case especially for the Strano springrates. I think there's some people getting into the 800 front and ~200 rear springrates who do some serious road racing, and given good shock dampening for those springs may be pretty rough on the streets. But the 550 front and 150 rear is very much livable if the shocks have the right dampening. I drive mine every day. I've been testing out different cars. I'm constantly being re-amazed at how comfortable my Camaro is over many of these cars who are on stock suspension.
I'm not trying to jump on any bandwagons at all or following any group here. I'm the type of person who makes my own judgements on my own.
I'm not trying to jump on any bandwagons at all or following any group here. I'm the type of person who makes my own judgements on my own.
08-12-2008, 01:38 PM
#22
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That's the misconception that I think many people naturally have. "Shocks that perform better are stiffer and harder on the street". It's not the case especially for the Strano springrates. I think there's some people getting into the 800 front and ~200 rear springrates who do some serious road racing, and given good shock dampening for those springs may be pretty rough on the streets. But the 550 front and 150 rear is very much livable if the shocks have the right dampening. I drive mine every day. I've been testing out different cars. I'm constantly being re-amazed at how comfortable my Camaro is over many of these cars who are on stock suspension.
I'm not trying to jump on any bandwagons at all or following any group here. I'm the type of person who makes my own judgements on my own.
I'm not trying to jump on any bandwagons at all or following any group here. I'm the type of person who makes my own judgements on my own.
If someone only wants to drag race, then yes, Koni's are overkill (and less than ideal to boot), but if they want to actually turn the wheel and go around corners, of any kind, then Koni's are the way to go, even with stock springs.
I did some reading and "research" when my car was stock. I wanted improvements to both ride and handling. I also was limited in budget. Stance was not exactly unimportant, but it was lower on the list, and I also didn't want to have something riding rock hard, so I was less concerned about it (stance). I learned that many recognized the stock WS6 springs as actually being pretty good for handling, but were just hamstrung by crappy shocks. So I took the plunge and went straight to a Koni 4/3 combo.
I was amazed the instant I pulled out of my driveway. It reduced brake dive, and body roll, and all around improved the handling of the car in every way. And they do ride quite nicely too.
At first I have to admit I was a little upset by the ride, as it seemed the impact harshness was increased, however, that was just because it was so bleedin' cold in the dead of winter here. The following spring, the harshness went away. It was awesome. And with the windows down, t-tops out and radio on, it feels even better (because you can't hear the bump impacts or the interior squeaking or rattling), it actually feels, rides, and handles like a world class car. (it was like getting a whole suspension - springs, shocks, and sways all in 1 package, because of how it feels and performs)
And I would go through Sam to get them vs any other outlet, he is super picky about what he carries and why, cars immensly about his customers, provides great service, and above all else, knows his stuff through first hand experience.
So no, Koni's are not overkill, they are borderline necessary. Bilsteins are good too, I'm sure, and from what I've see are a touch more comfy, but a touch less capable in handling, but as noted above, not that great when it comes to lowering springs.
Oh, and you can improve your stance for "free" when you get Koni's too (the SA's at least) because you can go to the lower perch up front and pull the rubber isolater from the rear. Can't do that with any other brand.
08-12-2008, 07:35 PM
#26
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I've had a couple of set-ups before I got the complete Strano package.
First, I had stock suspension, and then bought a set of Strano swaybars. Big difference in reduced body roll there, but I still wasn't satisfied, so I decided to buy a set of Bilstein HD's. I felt a nice difference in the car, more control on taking turns, a bit less nose dive on braking, and I was happy for a while.
Then, I decided to buy a set of Koni SA's (4/4's) and installed them on the lower perch for the fronts and did the heater hose mod on the rears. It was a pretty noticable upgrade from the Bilsteins once I had the settings to my likings. Even more of a controlled feeling around turns, the shocks seemed to be doing a much better job of doing their job (damping), plus it was really comfortable to DD, believe it or not.
Then, I finally added the Strano springs and that was the final addition to my suspension. These springs reduced the nose dive during hard braking, gave me the impression that it kept the car planted better to the road, and the ride was affected a bit. Not necessarily a harsher ride, but firmer.
Overall, I feel the biggest difference was adding the shocks (Koni's) from all my suspension mods. But I definetely felt the difference with each "step".
Currently, I'm really happy with the way my car rides and handles with Sam's products. Is it for everybody? No. Are you less of a person or a car enthusiast because you go with a prokit and a set of KYB's? Give me a break. It's all about personal preference, how deep your pockets are (or how badly you want a mod), and what your goals are with your car. Believe me, I don't have deep pockets (college student), so I had to wait and save to be able to afford this set-up (just ask Sam), but I feel it was worth it.
I will say this, if you've got really bad pot holes and huge speed bumps in your area that you just can't get around, then I probably wouldn't consider dropping your car.
Anyways, that's my .02.
First, I had stock suspension, and then bought a set of Strano swaybars. Big difference in reduced body roll there, but I still wasn't satisfied, so I decided to buy a set of Bilstein HD's. I felt a nice difference in the car, more control on taking turns, a bit less nose dive on braking, and I was happy for a while.
Then, I decided to buy a set of Koni SA's (4/4's) and installed them on the lower perch for the fronts and did the heater hose mod on the rears. It was a pretty noticable upgrade from the Bilsteins once I had the settings to my likings. Even more of a controlled feeling around turns, the shocks seemed to be doing a much better job of doing their job (damping), plus it was really comfortable to DD, believe it or not.
Then, I finally added the Strano springs and that was the final addition to my suspension. These springs reduced the nose dive during hard braking, gave me the impression that it kept the car planted better to the road, and the ride was affected a bit. Not necessarily a harsher ride, but firmer.
Overall, I feel the biggest difference was adding the shocks (Koni's) from all my suspension mods. But I definetely felt the difference with each "step".
Currently, I'm really happy with the way my car rides and handles with Sam's products. Is it for everybody? No. Are you less of a person or a car enthusiast because you go with a prokit and a set of KYB's? Give me a break. It's all about personal preference, how deep your pockets are (or how badly you want a mod), and what your goals are with your car. Believe me, I don't have deep pockets (college student), so I had to wait and save to be able to afford this set-up (just ask Sam), but I feel it was worth it.
I will say this, if you've got really bad pot holes and huge speed bumps in your area that you just can't get around, then I probably wouldn't consider dropping your car.
Anyways, that's my .02.
08-12-2008, 10:21 PM
#29
So I took the plunge and went straight to a Koni 4/3 combo. I was amazed the instant I pulled out of my driveway. It reduced brake dive, and body roll, and all around improved the handling of the car in every way.
At first I have to admit I was a little upset by the ride, as it seemed the impact harshness was increased, however, that was just because it was so bleedin' cold in the dead of winter here. The following spring, the harshness went away. It was awesome.
At first I have to admit I was a little upset by the ride, as it seemed the impact harshness was increased, however, that was just because it was so bleedin' cold in the dead of winter here. The following spring, the harshness went away. It was awesome.
Handling was noticeably improved. What I REALLY like about the Konis is how they handle rough roads and bumps at speed. They just gobble them up. The car never loses its composure.
08-13-2008, 08:54 AM
#31
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But that's partly why I have a daily drive, I just garage the car and drive the DD. I will take the car out on occasions on nice dry days (when there is no salt on the roads), but I just have to live with the increased impact harshness from the shocks and increased rattles from the shrunk/cold interior. Once it gets warm again though, it's all good - especially if you pull the t-tops, drop the windows, and crank the stereo. lol
08-13-2008, 10:32 AM
#32
ALL shocks get "stiffer" when it's cold because just like your motor oil, the shock oil thickens. Also the rubber bushings in the bottom get harder, the tire sidewalls don't flex as easily..... fwiw.
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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
08-13-2008, 01:25 PM
#35
i'd say there are overkill only if you drive in areas with poor roads. i DD my car with the strano/koni setup. its very comfortable until you start getting on rough roads. i live in teh NY/NJ area though but i don't regret it at all. i have high tolerance though. where are you from?
08-13-2008, 05:16 PM
#36
i'd say there are overkill only if you drive in areas with poor roads. i DD my car with the strano/koni setup. its very comfortable until you start getting on rough roads. i live in teh NY/NJ area though but i don't regret it at all. i have high tolerance though. where are you from?
Winter is where all the built up moisture under the roads freezes, expands and causes frost heaves and potholes....
Construction is where they "patch" some of the results on the previous winter, while digging up and replacing the damage from three winters back!
08-13-2008, 09:40 PM
#38
I live in western New York, where we have two seasons....Winter and construction.
Winter is where all the built up moisture under the roads freezes, expands and causes frost heaves and potholes....
Construction is where they "patch" some of the results on the previous winter, while digging up and replacing the damage from three winters back!
Winter is where all the built up moisture under the roads freezes, expands and causes frost heaves and potholes....
Construction is where they "patch" some of the results on the previous winter, while digging up and replacing the damage from three winters back!
