I have a 1978 924NA. I upgraded to 5 bolt hubs, wheels etc. Has anyone tried to put a set of 944 front struts on a 924. I have a set of front struts off a '88 944S. Earlier, we put the front springs on our 924 from that same 944S. They fit, but could I do an entire front strut swap?

Jeremy

 

Why would you do that? Just buy the struts new.

 

I wanna know if they fit so I can have them rebuilt and revalved at a higher capacity than Koni brand new struts. Their application is road racing.

 

It's an interesting idea, but I think it's a waste of time. As you probably know, the part numbers for the 1978 924 & 1988 944S are the same for the spring, they differ for the front struts.

I don't think it's necessarily wise to assume that just because they came from a superior car they will be superior shocks. And even so,...used? For the amount of work, again, it'd be better to start with a new set of shocks and then screw around with the valves to your heart's desire.

Swapping used shocks doesn't make good money sense to me anyway. But to each his own.

If you want a different answer, try Gohim at <a href="http://www.924.org." target="_blank">www.924.org.</a>. He knows these suspension setups pretty well. Or Vaughan Scott. Maybe he's got a bright idea for how you can accomplish that feat and benefit from using used shocks over new shocks. But I'd suspect if you really want a decent ride he might still say you should 'spring' (pun intended) for the new shocks, regardless of type.

 

Thanks for the response. I want to have True Choice rebuild and revalve the 944S front struts. THey can make them better than new and much stiffer than stock Koni's. I have brand new Konis on there now but I was told by a couple of different sources that if you run a very stiff front spring (350+ or higher) and use the standard Koni strut, you could do real damage to the Koni's? If this is not the case than I would not go through all the trouble of this project - I would just get stiffer front springs. What do you think?

 

A friend of mine runs 300 lb springs and Koni reds and he loves that setup for the track and it's been, what, about 3 years (that I know) he's been running it without a problem on a 1979 924.

Man, you're right into this aren't you? I've not yet heard of 924 guys running 350+ springs yet, probably cause it'd mean a lot of new suspension package at the rear. BTW, 924 guys can win races in the 944 divisions using 300 lb spring setups. So I'd question how much better times you'll get with a 350 lb setup.

Personally, I think you'll be fine with the stronger springs and really stiff Konis.

Say, if you're going this far on the front, what have you done to the rear suspension? What size torsion bar? And where, or what circuit, do you want to race on?

BTW, I'm doing a cool post Skidpad Driver Ed event in July here in Ontario - really looking forward to it but I'm installing a new sway bar on the rear and new front springs 250 lb, for my street/track 931.

I would put 300 lb springs on the car, but I like having my teeth stay in my mouth.

 

You nailed it, BPG - I'd recommend new. Of course, since I've already talked with Jeremy at length, we know that he already bought those struts!

Jeremy, you saw my post about the Bilstein A1 rally struts... I really think it's the way to go, dude... New custom-valved monotube struts (better durability and function that twin-tubes) for about $250 each - complete strut body, not just an insert!!! Can't beat it! They (Bilstein Motorsport) will even give you recommended valving specifically for your car, if you give them spring rates. Corner weights they'll want too, but the car is perfectly balanced - divide 2600 by four, you can see where you're at (650 lb each corner). Close enough.

I'd share my valving happily, but I'm running 400# springs up front anyway. Wish I'd put more t-bar in the back, though... car still pushes. I might end up dialing back to 350# this summer, if I end up fighting the car not rotating. We'll see once I get them on the car and hit the track.

 

Oh, BTW, yes, the high-rate springs are too much for the generic yellow Koni Sport shock. BTDT.

 

The bottom bolt holes are spaced differently and the part of the spindle that the strut slides over is a different thickness.

Shawn
87 944Na