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Koni or Bilstein for '88?

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Old 06-03-2009, 01:23 PM
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aeshultz
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Default Koni or Bilstein for '88?

Yes, I did search first, but the threads seem to be 2-3 years old.
This is for an '88 coupe w/ stock T-bars and sways, primarily street driven, but will be used for 2-3 track days a year. I get the impression that most here favor the Bilsteins over the Koni Yellows, and that the swing to the Bilsteins is recent (within the past few years).
Adjustability of the Konis (ext adj version / rebound only) is thought to be a plus for a street-driven car. Any experiences?
Thanks in advance.
Old 06-03-2009, 01:37 PM
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g-50cab
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Bilstein HD up front Bilstein Sport in the rear
Old 06-03-2009, 02:25 PM
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84_Carrera
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Originally Posted by g-50cab
Bilstein HD up front Bilstein Sport in the rear
+1, that's what I have.

I've had Koni's on other cars of mine, and liked them fine for tweaking on the track, but I like the Bilsteins better for this car than I liked the Koni's for the other.
Old 06-03-2009, 04:21 PM
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vtrich
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Similar discussion over on Pelican a couple days ago,..may be useful.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=477300

Rich
Old 06-03-2009, 06:35 PM
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911vet
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I had Koni adjustables in my BMW and they were great. But I can tell you I never once actually changed the adjustment. I kept it on the stiffer setting (and that was with stiff springs on the coilovers). I'd wonder how useful it is to adjust them since the t-bars are staying just as "harsh."

I installed HDs front and rear in my 911 and have been very satisfied. If I had known I was going to upgrade t-bars, might have got the Sports.

I guess I'd ask myself if I'd actually change the adjustment or not. Besides, it's really the t-bar (or spring) that determines how harsh the hit is. The shock/insert/damper controls how fast the car stops oscillating. Right? (don't you love when someone who doesn't really know what they're talking about talks about it anyway?!)
Old 06-03-2009, 08:03 PM
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aeshultz
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Good feedback - keep it coming.
The theory on the Konis is that the adjustment allows you to soften them for street use - which will be ~90% of this car's time (yeah- I say that now). The disclaimer is that the Koni's adjustment is only for _rebound_, so I don't know how effective this will be.
And I have to admit - I had the yellow Koni Sports on the 944, and never changed them. Perhaps that should tell me something.....
Rich-thanks for that link. I keep forgeting to check Pelican.
Old 06-03-2009, 08:07 PM
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Marc Gelefsky
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Bilstein HD all around, no complaints...
Old 06-04-2009, 09:56 AM
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jwilson95
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HD's all around which are fine for a cab, but I probably would have gone HD front/Sport rears for a coupe as most have recommended.

Same thing was recommended by my shop that sets up many race car set ups for our cars as well as 993/water pumpers.
Old 06-04-2009, 11:24 AM
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Ed Hughes
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I'm not sure there has been any recent shifts from Koni.....the Bilsteins have been pretty consistently been a favorite.

As Shannon said, if you had adjustables, I doubt they see much adjustment.
Old 06-04-2009, 12:33 PM
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Brads911sc
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HD's all around. Satisfied.
Old 06-04-2009, 01:58 PM
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aeshultz
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Well, I'm certainly hearing the "Bilstein chorus."

But Ed - it's fun to fiddle w/ ***** <G>.
Old 06-04-2009, 11:06 PM
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911vet
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Originally Posted by aeshultz
Well, I'm certainly hearing the "Bilstein chorus."
With apologies to Kermit:

It's not that easy being green
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer being Boge black or Koni yellow
Or something much more colorful like that

It's not easy being green,
there's no adjustment to my spring...
On potholes I bump and jar and make loud sounds,
there's no way to change my rebound

But green's the color of Spring.
And t-bars are happy with me.
Konis are for ricers and less important machines.
For Porsches, green is the color to be.
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Old 06-05-2009, 01:17 AM
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Amber Gramps
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Mine are green....
Old 06-05-2009, 02:05 AM
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rusnak
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I have green ones in the front, yellow in back. But when I got the car, it had black in front, yellow in back. I think my yellow rear shocks are Boge, but they might be Bilstein.

And then there are those yellow Bilsteins and blue Boge.
Old 06-05-2009, 10:10 AM
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Ed Hughes
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Yellows in back are Bilsteins....


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