I would love to hear others experience with these.I just got mine from tire rack and am perplexed at how you access the rear once installed to perform adjustments.Also there is a tab and screw eye on two of the shocks ,what for? Also I guess the rear shock resevoirs are not duplicated.Thanks in advance.

 

the tabs you speak of, must be fronts.

the screw contraption (it should be a plastic, white, round dial with the koni logo on it) goes on the tab and you dial in your adjustment - clockwise for fimer and counter-clockwise for softer.

in the rear, i think only the perches (ride-height) can be adjusted - not the ride quality.

i installed konis on my '93 M5. but, it's been a few years and am speaking from memory so please excuse any exclusions...

good choice - they're the best!!

enjoy!

 

Access in the rear can be a PITA. For the passenger side rear, just remove the spare tire and access is easy. For the driver side rear, I took one of the provided Koni knobs, pulled the insert out of the center shaft, cut the shaft down to almost flush with the knob, then put the insert back in. This took a little work, but was pretty easy. Once I had the "shortened" knob, I was able to just get it in on the driver side rear by wedging it under the rubber piece around the fuel lines. I left the knob on the shock tab permanently and will use another knob for the other shocks.

The tab and screw eye on the fronts is for brake line attachment. Look at the stock unit and you'll see why.

From somewhat limited experience with the Konis so far, I'm fairly happy with how they handle vs. the stock units while autocrossing.

-Andy

 

Are they height adjustable? Do they lower the ride? are they stiffer/softer and in what events (low speed / high speed)? How much do they cost? Are they lighter than stock?

 

The Koni off the shelf shocks are single adjustable in rebound only. They have two ride height positions, stock and about .5" lower. Supposedly Koni spent most of the development time on compression settings to try and get rid of some of the squirrely nature of the stock units. In my very limited experience so far I would say that they are "easier" to drive the car hard on than the stockers. The rebound adjustment should be something like stock on the softest setting and about twice as stiff on the hardest. Cost should be about $150 per shock depending on where you buy them (Tirerack price is $153). Not sure if they are lighter than stocks, I forgot to weigh them until I had them on the car and I'm not going to take them off again just for that. I doubt there is much difference except for maybe the rears as the Konis do not have an external reservoir.

-Andy

 

Since I adjust my shocks each time I arrive at the track and before I head home, it was clear to me that I would spend too much time cussing the Koni adjustment knob as soon I saw it. With only an inch of clearance for the left rear and no visibility the knob is a stupid idea.

Here is a pic of the knob and the prototype adjuster made from quarter inch square shaft. I made finished adjusters that are 1/4 x 1/4 x 1 inch and wired them to the top of the rear units. I can now make adjustments without problem.

 

I really am greatful for all of your quick replies.I can see that there is no magic to getting at the rear shock towers,it is a pita.I do like the idea of fashioning a permanent fixture on the pin.Are there any mounting issues with lowering springs?I currently have the HR on the car.By the way I will weigh the shocks and let you know.I figure for auto x front full stiff and rear full soft might be good?I dont think any manufacturer of sports cars should bury the shock tower access.The rears are quite accessable on the nsx, go figure.

 

TKG 26 - the rears were adjustable via twisting the shock itself. you had to pull them off to adjust them. sorry if you didn't know this before.

 

I should be recieving my set later on this week. I currently have Neuspeed sport springs on the car and i DON'T want to go any lower. Since they have 2 ride height positions, i should set the Koni's at the "stock" height setting to keep my car at the height it is right now, correct? Do the shocks come set at this setting or at the 0.5" lower setting? The dealer is installing mine so i would like to make sure they're all set up correctly when i give it to them instead of leaving it up to them to set it.

Also, does the firmness have to be set on rears before installing them or can they be adjusted after they're on the car?

 

VTECxTurbo - letting a dealer do the install? you sure you trust that man? just curious since it is an adjustable suspension and ride height adjustable as well. I'm not sure if I would trust giving that to a dealership to do the install unless you know the mechanic very well and trust him.

The ride height - to the best of my understanding - can only be adjusted with the shock OFF the car. You should try giving Rich/Mingster a PM/email and see if he can do the install for you for the same cost as the dealer.