[Monstrous4Banger]

Yeah, that is cheap. The KW's were 23/2400ish. I think theyre very comfortable, while also capable of performing. My view could be skewed tho. They dont feel any harder to me than the konis did. I notice the difference when I use em hard, and need the extra traction tho. If keeping closer to stock in feel, and not caring for the added performance is your goal, konis get the job done. Ive never disliked them, I was looking to upgrade.

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[flash]

the key is how they are set - too frequently people set shocks and struts too stiff for the spring rate, thinking it will make the car handle better because it "feels" stiffer - in reality all they did was eliminate the ability of the shock to dampen the spring properly

i wouldn't go so far as to say "not caring about performance" there are varying levels of performance - for example, i wanted more than the KW performance level, so i chose what i did

the konis will do a very good job within their spring rate limitations, and i would estimate just as well as anything else at the spring rates he indicated (10-20% over stock, which is 176-192)

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[dep and dep]

Thanks for a very informative thread. I'm also interested in a suspension upgrade like that recommended for Sean (10-20% firmer than stock). If I find the stock bushings need replacement, what type of bushings would work well with this sort of setup? I've seen various bushings kits advertised but I have no idea if they are better for this sort of application than the stock ones.

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[flash]

the OEM bushings provide a very compliant ride, which makes for a very comfortable car to drive

spherical bearings, like the elephant racing or racer's edge units, provide a more accurate response, better turn in, and less camber change, but at the cost of some comfort when encountering variances in the road surface

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[Monstrous4Banger]

Yeah, OEM keeps a smooth ride. I put polybronze on the rear, because they are a pain, and didnt want to ever have to do them again. Lifetime warranty IIRC. It definitely stiffened up the rear end. If you ever ridden a skateboard its like the difference between really hard polyeurathane wheels, and really soft ones. The OEM is a softer compound, but it wears eventually.

The koni's are a nice set. I think "dont care about performance" is a bit overstating. The konis perform fine. I just like the capability of the KW. They are pretty darn comfortable, and yet capable of quite a bit. I have a hard time seeing anything being more capable, without sacrificing comfort. The variant are not the highest performers, by any means. Just that in my experience the more capability the more covered wagon they feel.

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[ether_joe]

well, I talked with Max @ RSBarn, and wound up buying the Koni suspension package, struts, shocks, and spring package for $1300 tax/labor/shipping. I guess the front struts need to be modified to work in our cars? Anyhow they are taking care of that for me, and I send them my old struts when done.

swaybars and struts when I get another charge of spending money [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img])

thanks guys for the info... see you in a few weeks!!

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[clivehuggins]

On a the same subject - I'm looking to do the same as ether joe. Budget is tight and a pair of new rear adjustable koni's Part no. 944 333 032 03 has come on the market at a good price. The owner reckons these are race shocks. I'm looking to go stiffer (15-25%) but would these be too extreme? Of course I would need to match with fronts.
Thanks

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[flash]

shocks and struts do one thing and one thing only - they dampen the spring - the only "stiffness" added would be from any gas preload (maximum of 25# on the highest pressure shock or strut on maximum setting)

to put that into relative terms, on the highest pressure unit, set on the highest dampening position, it would be 15% maximum - but, you would NEVER run them like that on the stock 175# torsion bars, as they would jar you blind, and the car would skate like it was on marbles - the setting for the stock torsion bars will be about 3%-5% stiffer net

stiffness is a function of spring rate - shocks and struts are set to match that - if you want a stiffer suspension, you have to change to stiffer springs

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[sydneyman2007]

Hey all, just got koni sport struts, springs and shocks with adjustable ride height for the front from Paragon for around a grand... they are completely assembling everything with springs for that as well... i talked with RSB but this was too good a deal to pass up... been very impressed with RSB in the past though! as a matter of fact, im probably buying something from there soon just to give him business [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]

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[jimmywhisker]

There is so much good information on this forum that I am now officially bewildered. This is in no small way due to my ignorance in respect to suspension configurations. Suspension and the specific requirements are quite personal it seems.



My only reason for wanting to change my front struts is the play that has developed (non M030 car). I have no plans to track my car and use it as a daily/weekend driver.



I also note that suppliers that make a compatible front strut are limited.



So, given that I want a simple fix, no specfic requirements other than to enjoy driving my car, but am obvioulsy happy to make an improvment at the same time, would Koni Yellow struts with the stock springs be a good option for me vs the OEM option. The price of the Koni Yellows seem pretty reasonable. Is there much messing around for installation in this configuration?



There are Not many 968's out here so, any advice from the northern hemishpere is greatly appreciated. Getting parts can sometimes be fun - not everyone is prepared to send to Australia. (RSBarn Pete has been great by the way).



Thanks in advance,



Peter

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[flash]

they would be fine replacements, and not difficult to install - some minor drilling and cutting of the housing is required to install the cartridge, unless you buy them already done

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[jimmywhisker]

Thanks for the reply flash. You guys atay up late don't you?? I on the other hand am waiting for my son to wake up to take him to cricket!!



Where is the best place to buy them already done. I assume that someone doing plenty of them will be more efficient than a one off!!



Thanks again,



Peter

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[flash]

i know rs barn has done them in the past

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[clivehuggins]

Thought it worth posting my experience. My daily driver has now clocked up 138,000 kms and I've been wanting to swap out the original shocks since I bought it about 4 years ago. Last week it was treated to a new set of Bilsteins all round at my local Porsche specialist. I have read that these can result in a pretty harsh ride. I am pleased to report that the job has transformed the car and to my own test equipment (my arse) it feels pretty supple to boot. Steering feel is improved, handling response is far better and it generally feels sportier out of the bends, especially above 50kph. The roads can be pretty awful (and noisy) here in NZ so I was a bit dubious, but very happy with the result. I paid $2600NZ for the install including labour. Next stop Michelin Pilot's as the old Toyo TR1's have had it. Expecting big things from the Michelins.

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[Ab54666]

[quote name='clive' timestamp='1309242927' post='111931']

Thought it worth posting my experience. My daily driver has now clocked up 138,000 kms and I've been wanting to swap out the original shocks since I bought it about 4 years ago. Last week it was treated to a new set of Bilsteins all round at my local Porsche specialist. I have read that these can result in a pretty harsh ride. I am pleased to report that the job has transformed the car and to my own test equipment (my arse) it feels pretty supple to boot. Steering feel is improved, handling response is far better and it generally feels sportier out of the bends, especially above 50kph. The roads can be pretty awful (and noisy) here in NZ so I was a bit dubious, but very happy with the result. I paid $2600NZ for the install including labour. Next stop Michelin Pilot's as the old Toyo TR1's have had it. Expecting big things from the Michelins.

[/quote]



Can you confirm which Bilsteins you used? Any pics/links etc.

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[clivehuggins]

Hi, I believe they were B6's but I will confirm with the guys at the shop. They also took some pics so I'll try to get copies of those. Found a screw in one one of my tired old Toyo's so that brings the new Mich's forward a couple of months (and the bill).

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