Koni Adjustable or Bilstein Shocks?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Koni Adjustable or Bilstein Shocks?
Looking for shock input for my 65. I'm thinking some of you all have given these a try. I did a search and it looks like Bilstein HD over Sports but not much input on Koni. I guess I should throw KYB in there too but my sense is they are not the same quality as the other two.
Opinions please.
Opinions please.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
IMO Koni's are in a league of their own. I have used them in the past on Saabs and Alfas and they improve the ride tremendously. They are generally much more expensive than other brands but you get what you pay for. The adjustability allows them to be returned to 'like new' by resetting the damper, or they can be tuned for autocrossing, etc.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
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From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I went through the same thing recently and decided on the Konis.
My car had the white KYB's and in my opinion, they did not control the fiberglass spring properly, it bounced alot. On the front they were ok but the koni's are a bit firmer in control.
I went with the konis for a couple of reasons:
1. My brother has a set on his '72 coupe for almost 20 years and is happy with them.
2. The koni's are very were very traditionally used with these cars and have a good track record with these cars.
I have had numerous sets of Bilsteins on my european cars and they were awesome I just can't vouch for them on the vette.
My car had the white KYB's and in my opinion, they did not control the fiberglass spring properly, it bounced alot. On the front they were ok but the koni's are a bit firmer in control.
I went with the konis for a couple of reasons:
1. My brother has a set on his '72 coupe for almost 20 years and is happy with them.
2. The koni's are very were very traditionally used with these cars and have a good track record with these cars.
I have had numerous sets of Bilsteins on my european cars and they were awesome I just can't vouch for them on the vette.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
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From: San Diego CA
I'm guessing you're comparing the Koni Classic to the Bilstein Sport? $20 difference per shock between the two. However, Koni has been known to work really well with the vettes. If $40 is a negotiable amount to you, I'd go with the Konis. Otherwise I'd wait to hear from someone who has used both and can compare them. My mom works right next to bilstein (Poway, California) so I'd probably personally just go to their factory and buy them there, but that's me.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Thanks all.
I have a VBP "Touring" susension package with the Bilstein Sport shocks. The shocks are too firm for me. I was considering the Bilstein HD but the adjustability of the "Koni Special" shocks is making me think about it. The Konis are about $100 more for a car set.
I have a VBP "Touring" susension package with the Bilstein Sport shocks. The shocks are too firm for me. I was considering the Bilstein HD but the adjustability of the "Koni Special" shocks is making me think about it. The Konis are about $100 more for a car set.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
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From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by Taijutsu
How much are Koni adj? Can the shocks be adj w/o removing them first?
you have to remove them, but they are not to difficult.
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Melting Slicks
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From: Gulf of America
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Another vote for the Koni's. The KYB's I had on previously would not dampen enough. They had less than 1K on them when I replaced them. I love the adjustability on the Koni's, lets you dial them in for your tastes.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
I don't really think you can compare the 2 shocks to one another. One is adjustable and one isn't. If your looking for an adjustable shock, why not compare the Koni's to QA1's. For non-adjustable you should compare the Bilsteins to KYB's or Monroes. I don't think your comparing apples to apples here. Adjustable shocks will more than likely be favored every time.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Originally Posted by Van Steel
I don't really think you can compare the 2 shocks to one another. One is adjustable and one isn't. If your looking for an adjustable shock, why not compare the Koni's to QA1's. For non-adjustable you should compare the Bilsteins to KYB's or Monroes. I don't think your comparing apples to apples here. Adjustable shocks will more than likely be favored every time.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
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From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by Sky65
What I am looking for is a comfortable ride with improved handling. I do not need to adjust the shocks for differant situations like street one week and racing the next. If the Bilsteins, or other brand, gave me the ride I want a non-adjustable shock is fine. I was considering an adjustable shock thinking it may be the only way to get the ride I want. Set it up once and be done with it. I look forward to your thoughts.
Is this a BB car or SB? Do you have a steel spring or fiberglass spring? I think the Bilsteins are a little on the stiff side but they perform excellent. KYB GR-2's will give you a softer ride but the handling really isn't there. I personally haven't had much luck w/the Koni's. Any setting of a glass spring made my car a little bouncy. Some of my customers have said the same thing and they had a stiffer spring rate than I did.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Originally Posted by 1971corvette
Blisteins seen very stiff to me (around town), on the highway the car feels very good,so for now I will use them
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Originally Posted by Van Steel
Is this a BB car or SB? Do you have a steel spring or fiberglass spring? I think the Bilsteins are a little on the stiff side but they perform excellent. KYB GR-2's will give you a softer ride but the handling really isn't there. I personally haven't had much luck w/the Koni's. Any setting of a glass spring made my car a little bouncy. Some of my customers have said the same thing and they had a stiffer spring rate than I did.
284# fiberglass rear spring
460# front springs
When you talk about the Bilsteins are they Sports or Heavy Duty. I undertand there is a noticable differance in ride. The HDs being softer.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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The konis are rebound adjustable only to set them to the proper rebound rate to suit your spring (or to adjust to compensate for any wear). That means if you have a stiffer spring you need to increase the rebound dampening. I find it hard to believe they couldn't be set so stiff that the car wouldn't bounce anymore, even with very stiff springs. I had a '350 something rear spring and the konis and I had them set to stiff but not full, it didn't bounce at all, cornered amazingly flat and I could drive over speedbumps without the rear bouncing or even slamming into the bump stops (rear was lowered). With the konis at the stiffest setting they are stiffer than my carrera coil overs which are valved 6/6 and have the following dampening rates:
speed (inches/sec) | rebound lbs.
01|35
02|62
03|100
04|144
05|175
06|187
07|198
08|210
09|218
10|226
11|235
12|243
speed (inches/sec) | rebound lbs.
01|35
02|62
03|100
04|144
05|175
06|187
07|198
08|210
09|218
10|226
11|235
12|243
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Jan 31, 2006 at 11:04 AM.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Originally Posted by Sky65
SB car
284# fiberglass rear spring
460# front springs
When you talk about the Bilsteins are they Sports or Heavy Duty. I undertand there is a noticable differance in ride. The HDs being softer.
Thanks
284# fiberglass rear spring
460# front springs
When you talk about the Bilsteins are they Sports or Heavy Duty. I undertand there is a noticable differance in ride. The HDs being softer.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Originally Posted by Van Steel
I've only tried the Sports. Thats a pretty soft spring. I heard the same about the sports