On Mon, 11 Oct 1999 PgrMstr@aol.com wrote:
> How does one SHOP for an adjustable shock? How do you compare one to another?
> My 97 GSR Sdn is in need of some upscale shocks over the coming winter but
> how does one go about selecting one barnd over another? Most of the fellow
> honda guys I've run into use the Koni's with some going with Tokico. What
> about KYB AGX's ? How do you compare one from the next...other than cost? Do
> you simply go by word of mouth...."well that's what so and so is running" ?
> Surely there must be a more scientific .....(not too intensive now) means of
> comparison from one manufacturer to the next.
My opinion here is talk to the others and see what the fastest drivers are
running. If nobody is running a particular shock, I avoid it unless I
have the money to risk in case it doesn't work.
Two cases in point:
1. I've been running Bilstein shocks on my Corvette for the past two
years. First, I bought Corvette Challenge-spec shocks (very stiff). I
think I paid around $300 for the set. The fronts are okay for the most
part, but the rears were far too stiff. So I sent the rears in to be
revalved, at a cost of $110 plus round trip shipping.
2. Next, I ordered a set of four Koni single-adjustables. Turns out these
were NOT the "sport single" that most people are running, and instead are
only a street shock. That's $350 down the drain there, and I hadn't even
run the shock yet. I'm currently waiting to see if the company I bought
them from will take them back and give me credit, otherwise I'm out the
money. Koni no longer makes the Sport Singles or the Doubles for my car.
I was getting close to having my Bilsteins converted to double-adjustable,
as several people I know are talking a lot about it. It'll cost $600 plus
my existing shocks, and take a week or two to be done. The downside is
they only have one adjustment on the shock, unlike Koni Doubles, which are
individually adjustable on rebound and compression; you have to tell them
ahead of time what ratio to adjust the rebound with the compression when
you adjust the shocks. That tells me I could end up having to revalve the
shocks a few times to get it where I want. On top of that, several other
people I've spoken to feel very strongly against using Bilsteins as autox
shocks, saying they lack the low-speed responsiveness that the Konis have.
So with that considered, I decided it was time to quit wasting money
experimenting and get something that works. Today I put a $500 deposit on
a set of Tri-Point's custom monotube Koni Doubles. I'm tired of playing
games, so I'm getting a shock that works. These guys know their stuff
when it comes to autox and road racing. I know Rita is running these
shocks, and I _think_ Scotty White is too, but then again, he may have
their super-expensive shocks with the separate reservoirs (that are twice
what the Konis I just ordered cost).
The point I'm making is your best bet is probably to run what the fastest
drivers are using. Otherwise you may just be throwing money away.
I would put my vote in for a set of Koni Doubles if they make them for
your car.
Rob
- 86 Corvette Z51 (BSP #42)
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