Koni shock availability
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Milton
Well,
I don't yet have my own opinion but I have personally talked to some people that do (and who have opinions that I value) in no particular order:
1. Mark Daddio - 'Put on single adjustable shocks - not doubles as the second adjustment doesn't affect performance in AutoX'.
2. Nick Leverone (Evolution Dial-In Instructor) - 'I'd put on single adjustable shocks - I can't believe how good this thing is out of the box'.
3. Bill Gendron - 1997 or 1998 BMod Natl Champ, Built 1999? AMod Natl Champ car - 'I'd leave the shocks alone - I don't see anything I don't like'. He's a big believer in the keep it simple way of doing things and thinks unless you have the resources to test conclusively you are just as (or more ) likely to screw yourself up the more adjustments you have.
On the note of messing up a good thing I recall from this list that Ron Bauer (AutoXer of note) ran for a significant portion of the season with his big money shocks incorrectly valved to be much softer (worse) than his stock shocks.
Another recollection that I recall is when Joe Goeke ran another list members S2000 at the Texas tour I believe and reported that it felt pretty similar to his (which has big money double adjustable Koni's I believe).
At this point I'm on the fence and I'm going to talk to Bill again as he's my setup guy.
One other note - which I haven't really discussed with anybody and which also show's my lack of knowledge - is that at least the rear stock shocks look pretty fancy with remote reservoirs(?). Is it possible that at least for some (lower priced) shocks that the stock shocks might be better?
Please I'd like to hear some more opinions - although they'll probably only confuse me more.
Etgar
I don't yet have my own opinion but I have personally talked to some people that do (and who have opinions that I value) in no particular order:
1. Mark Daddio - 'Put on single adjustable shocks - not doubles as the second adjustment doesn't affect performance in AutoX'.
2. Nick Leverone (Evolution Dial-In Instructor) - 'I'd put on single adjustable shocks - I can't believe how good this thing is out of the box'.
3. Bill Gendron - 1997 or 1998 BMod Natl Champ, Built 1999? AMod Natl Champ car - 'I'd leave the shocks alone - I don't see anything I don't like'. He's a big believer in the keep it simple way of doing things and thinks unless you have the resources to test conclusively you are just as (or more ) likely to screw yourself up the more adjustments you have.
On the note of messing up a good thing I recall from this list that Ron Bauer (AutoXer of note) ran for a significant portion of the season with his big money shocks incorrectly valved to be much softer (worse) than his stock shocks.
Another recollection that I recall is when Joe Goeke ran another list members S2000 at the Texas tour I believe and reported that it felt pretty similar to his (which has big money double adjustable Koni's I believe).
At this point I'm on the fence and I'm going to talk to Bill again as he's my setup guy.
One other note - which I haven't really discussed with anybody and which also show's my lack of knowledge - is that at least the rear stock shocks look pretty fancy with remote reservoirs(?). Is it possible that at least for some (lower priced) shocks that the stock shocks might be better?
Please I'd like to hear some more opinions - although they'll probably only confuse me more.
Etgar
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 69
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From: lambertville
Etgar,
I've just installed double adjustable Advance Design DeCarbon shocks, with 360lbs/in springs. The stock Showas are great shocks! They are high pressure gas shocks too. The problem is that the stockers do not have enough damping for road racing use, where the car will pogo at the rear through turns with rises and dips. If you get the damping setup for racing, the ride quality suffers, which is why you need the adjustability. Remember, the Koni twin tube design may fade alot quicker than the better gas shocks.
Unless you are truly competively autocrossing, I don't think you need better shocks than the stock ones. The stock shocks are technically more advanced than the Koni's (single tube/high pressure gas vs. low pressure twin tube for the Koni's), but I don't know how well the Koni's work. I expect they would seriously fade at the track because they would heat up and cavitate, which is why I paid more and went with the Advance Design shocks. I had to dial in alot of rebound damping to do better than stock.
If you're roadracing or doing track days get top quality DeCarbon type shocks, and consider any of the aftermarket shocks anyway after about 15000 miles on the car.
Etgar, overall the stock shocks are technically good, and I'm skeptical too that a low priced shock twin tube shock can outperform the stockers. Koni has a tremendous reputation, though, and their quality is excellent. I'd wait for feedback from the racers about the Koni's.
I've just installed double adjustable Advance Design DeCarbon shocks, with 360lbs/in springs. The stock Showas are great shocks! They are high pressure gas shocks too. The problem is that the stockers do not have enough damping for road racing use, where the car will pogo at the rear through turns with rises and dips. If you get the damping setup for racing, the ride quality suffers, which is why you need the adjustability. Remember, the Koni twin tube design may fade alot quicker than the better gas shocks.
Unless you are truly competively autocrossing, I don't think you need better shocks than the stock ones. The stock shocks are technically more advanced than the Koni's (single tube/high pressure gas vs. low pressure twin tube for the Koni's), but I don't know how well the Koni's work. I expect they would seriously fade at the track because they would heat up and cavitate, which is why I paid more and went with the Advance Design shocks. I had to dial in alot of rebound damping to do better than stock.
If you're roadracing or doing track days get top quality DeCarbon type shocks, and consider any of the aftermarket shocks anyway after about 15000 miles on the car.
Etgar, overall the stock shocks are technically good, and I'm skeptical too that a low priced shock twin tube shock can outperform the stockers. Koni has a tremendous reputation, though, and their quality is excellent. I'd wait for feedback from the racers about the Koni's.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 413
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From: Chicago
What remains to be seen before we pass jusdgement on the Konis is whether or not they have the volume of the stock shocks. Our stock rear shocks have external reseviours(sp?) which I imagine help to reduce heat build up and cavitation to an extent.
Bonus for the new Konis being cheap and adjustable. Even as a twin tube shock they may still work for autocross due to the short bursts of activity. However if you have a two driver car or a small club (with less time in between runs) you may run into the same problems that cdelena and busaboy had.
IMO, after I have seen the people I have seen drive on stock shocks and custom shocks, the stock shocks are pretty damn good (for autocross at least). If I were to replace them with anything I'd save for the Koni, JRZ, Penske or Moton external reseviour double adjustables.
Bonus for the new Konis being cheap and adjustable. Even as a twin tube shock they may still work for autocross due to the short bursts of activity. However if you have a two driver car or a small club (with less time in between runs) you may run into the same problems that cdelena and busaboy had.
IMO, after I have seen the people I have seen drive on stock shocks and custom shocks, the stock shocks are pretty damn good (for autocross at least). If I were to replace them with anything I'd save for the Koni, JRZ, Penske or Moton external reseviour double adjustables.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 819
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From: Seattle, WA
Pssst - I've got some really pretty JRZ's for sale... 
They're still not "cheap" but definitely much much more reasonable than retail!
Annie
baby_nsx@yahoo.com - e-mail me if interested!
EDITED 12/11/01 - the shocks have found a new home - thanks for all of you who were interested!
They're still not "cheap" but definitely much much more reasonable than retail!Annie
baby_nsx@yahoo.com - e-mail me if interested!
EDITED 12/11/01 - the shocks have found a new home - thanks for all of you who were interested!
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