dgwinup

My 1984 944 needs new rear shocks. Badly!

Scouring the internet, I've found listings for Bilstein's and Koni's, both with free shipping. There is less than $40 difference between them for a pair of shocks.

Many years ago, My SCCA Triumph TR4 was fitted with Koni's and they were great. I know Bilstein is also a good brand.

With only $40 more for the Koni's, is that the way to go or should I just save the money and use Bilstein's?

How bad are my rear shocks? I can extend them fully - by hand. And I can compress them fully - by hand! When compressed, they don't even TRY to extend by themselves! I'd call that completely worn out! LOL

As always, your comments and suggestions are appreciated!

Darrell

Cyberpunky

+1

GTSilver944

I have Koni's on my 944 and have driven the Bilstein HD's on VW and BMWs. While the Koni's feel great at autox, they're a bit rough/stiff compared to the Bilstein's and I don't think there's too much difference in performance between the two at all.

drift a 944

I have each of those brands several of my 944's and I strongly prefer the Bilsteins as well.

MAGK944

I found Bilstein valving works better with stock to 250 LB up front, Koni valving seems to be more aggressive.

Why not refit with stock Sachs/Boge? They are a very good damper.

dgwinup

I will go take a look at Boge. Forgot they are OEM manufacturer!

Seems like the popular choice is Bilstein, though.

More research!

Thanks for the FAST responses! Love this forum!

Darrell

GTSilver944

They're both great choices, just depends on exactly what you're after.

TexasRider

Ok.

Which Bilstiens are we talking about and which ones do you guys that have them suggest?

The Firehawk or the Escort Cup or something else?

What else are you running ?

For a racing car I would likely use the Escort Cup coilovers - but I am thinking that is fairly harsh for a street driven car.

My 1986 951 came with the factory option Koni Sport Yellows - and is still riding on them 28 years later with no failures. But the body does have more roll more now when we go to a track day now and then.

But I am in the market for new ones .

TexasRider

C'mon Bilstein'rs.

Jaket01

When it comes to rear shocks, can someone tell me what is the difference between 944s built before 9/84 vs those built 9/84 and later?

SloMo228

I don't know about the dates, but later cars have aluminum rear trailing arms that have a different shock mount.


As to the originals question, I've had Bilsteins and Konis on two different 944s. I had Bilstein HDs on a past '84 and now have Koni Yellows on my current '87. I liked the Bilsteins a little better and found them to be a bit more compliant on rough surfaces. Not that the Konis are bad, but for a street-driven car I'd prefer Bilsteins. Unfortunately, Bilstein front dampers are not available for the later cars and it's not so much of a difference that it's worth swapping an early front suspension onto my '87. The Konis are stiffer and seem to control body roll a bit better, plus they're adjustable if that means anything to you.

They're both a good choice, in the end. You can't really go wrong with either.

Noahs944

I am running Bilstein (blue & yellow) rear shock LOVE THEM. Adjustable Koni fronts. Love them also....

mikey_audiogeek

I have run Bilstein HD's in the rear, with stock springs. Liked them.

Have run Koni's in the front.

Now running H&R RSS coilovers which are basically Bilstein's. Love 'em.

Easy option is the Koni 1414 inserts in the front with the Bilstein 2052 HD rears. Same as Noahs944.
If I was doing it again, I'd modify the front struts so I could run Bilstein HD inserts.

Hope this helps,
Mike

Paulyy

Get these:

Koni yellows.

http://www.paragon-products.com/Koni...8641-1038s.htm

http://www.paragon-products.com/Koni...i-26-1209s.htm

They're adjustable dampening. soft/firm.

odurandina

sweet!