Geo

I'm doing some reconnaissance work for my race car and have read several of the various Koni vs Bilstein threads.....

My original plan was to install some Koni 8611 double adjustable inserts in the stock strut housings. From a quick duck under the car with a tape measure (not a good measurement), I'd guess the OD of the stock strut is under 50mm, the diameter I need to use the 8611.

I understand an early GTI strut could be used, but I don't know the diameter of those struts either.

Anybody know of a company making replacement struts for the 944 or early GTI with a 50mm body? I know that Gabriel and Monroe only offer inserts, so I can't cut up something from them.

On the Bilstein side, are these struts single-adjustable or double-adjustable? I'm looking at the sport struts - non-threaded since threaded bodies are illegal in ITS.

Also, are the Bilstein rear shocks externally adjustable?

83na944

My Bilsteins are not adjustable, but they are very good, IMHO.

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by 83na944:
<strong>My Bilsteins are not adjustable, but they are very good, IMHO.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Are they the sport dampers?

I definitely want adjustables and preferably double adjustables.

Danno

The only think I don't like about street Konis is their twin-tube design and the fade that comes with it. Racing Konis have the same DeCarbon high-pressure single-tube design as the Bilsteins.

Here's an outfit that converts Bilsteins into adjustable units:

ShockTek
227 Hathaway
East Virava, PA
(814) 774-8808
shocktec@ibm.net

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by Danno:
<strong>The only think I don't like about street Konis is their twin-tube design and the fade that comes with it. Racing Konis have the same DeCarbon high-pressure single-tube design as the Bilsteins.

Here's an outfit that converts Bilsteins into adjustable units:

ShockTek
227 Hathaway
East Virava, PA
(814) 774-8808
shocktec@ibm.net</strong><hr></blockquote>


Actually, the 8611 double adjustable race insert is twin tube hydraulic.

Danno, is that a verified current address for ShockTek? Several members of the SE-R community bought custom built ShockTek suspension and need to get them serviced. I know they went out of business about a year or so ago. Have they reopened?

Danno

Whoops, sorry I haven't dealt with them in years. I'll have to take them off my list. Thanks for the update!

Quickbeam

The GTI strut inserts are much shorter. I don't think the car can be lowered enough to use them and still be 5" off the ground (per scca rules). A shorter strut will exteneded more at a given position. This extension makes the strut more deflectable when axial loads are introduced. This is bad for strut life.

This is just an eyeball guesstimation. I just did the strut inserts on my 944 last week and I compared them to set of GTI strut inserts I happened to have lying around.

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by Quickbeam:
<strong>The GTI strut inserts are much shorter. I don't think the car can be lowered enough to use them and still be 5" off the ground (per scca rules). A shorter strut will exteneded more at a given position. This extension makes the strut more deflectable when axial loads are introduced. This is bad for strut life.

This is just an eyeball guesstimation. I just did the strut inserts on my 944 last week and I compared them to set of GTI strut inserts I happened to have lying around.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Rory, can you tell me the diameter of the tube on the GTI units? If you still have the GTI struts lying around, can you tell me the length as well?

I'm a bit less concerned about the extension and the loads. The only time the car should see extended droop is if I use the curbs and then it's on the inside which is carrying less load.

Quickbeam

Sure can.

adrial

The PO replaced the rears on my car with Bilsteins...

Either they were too soft to begin with, or they are shot in less than 78k miles. (The car has 78k miles, but I have no idea when the PO decided to replace the shocks). I think/know they are shot/too soft because I push down on the rear of the car, it bounces up a little too high, then settles to where it belongs...

I'm not sure which Bilsteins are on there...but I should know when I get the replacement koni's late next week. The bilsteins that are on there are yellowish if that helps any...

That's all I know

Tom R.

does anyone know the prices of bilstein fronts?

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by Tom R.:
<strong>does anyone know the prices of bilstein fronts?</strong><hr></blockquote>


Try <a href="http://www.eshocks.com" target="_blank">http://www.eshocks.com</a>

You can get HD, Sport, threaded body, and non-threaded body.

kennyandersen

I went to the eshocks.com website but there was no listing for 944 stuff ?

Geo

[quote]Originally posted by kennyandersen:
<strong>I went to the eshocks.com website but there was no listing for 944 stuff ?</strong><hr></blockquote>


There is a link for applications.

Geo

So, can anyone tell me please if the Bilsteins sport dampers are non-adjustable, single adjustable, or double adjustable?