Koni or Bilstein?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: St. Augustine, FL
Koni or Bilstein?
I have a 1980 FE7 - Gymkhana equiped Corvette. I want to update the shocks. Should I go with Koni adjustable (orange) or Bilstein sport? I've used the Koni's in the past and was very happy...but they are more $$..Are the Bilsteins any good? Is there a good web source to purchase either? Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
How do the Konis and Bilsteins compare to the QA1 adjustable shocks?
I was pricing some online this morning....
single adjustable TC 1959P @ $167.95 for front,
single adjustable TC 1574P @ $177.95 for rear.
or
dual adjustable DTC 1959P @ $329 for front
dual adjustable DTC 1574P @ $329 for rear
I was pricing some online this morning....
single adjustable TC 1959P @ $167.95 for front,
single adjustable TC 1574P @ $177.95 for rear.
or
dual adjustable DTC 1959P @ $329 for front
dual adjustable DTC 1574P @ $329 for rear
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
How do the Konis and Bilsteins compare to the QA1 adjustable shocks?
I was pricing some online this morning....
single adjustable TC 1959P @ $167.95 for front,
single adjustable TC 1574P @ $177.95 for rear.
or
dual adjustable DTC 1959P @ $329 for front
dual adjustable DTC 1574P @ $329 for rear
I was pricing some online this morning....
single adjustable TC 1959P @ $167.95 for front,
single adjustable TC 1574P @ $177.95 for rear.
or
dual adjustable DTC 1959P @ $329 for front
dual adjustable DTC 1574P @ $329 for rear
I have now Bilstein HD front (stock BB springs, large bar) , Bilstein sport rear with 7 leaf.
i think Bilstein sport are a little too stiff with my set up for road driving. that's why I decided for QA1 adjustable, to taylor the stiffness to my needs ( and I think it's fun too to play with the adjustability, just a ****...)
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 836
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I've had the Koni's on my car for 10 years or so now. I like them way better than the KYB's that were on it before. Have held up well, no leaks or wearing out. They are harder to adjust as it has to be done off the car though. Can't speak for the Bilsteins or QA1's as I have no experience with them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Had many Bilsteins in my cars over the last 20+ years but they didn't work properly with my C4 so I replaced them after 1000 miles with Konis. Couldn't be happier. After that I also installed Konis to my DD.
Replaced the crappy Kybs in my C3 with QA1 single adjustables. Have onöy driven about 1500 miles with them yet but my experiences this far are positive.
Replaced the crappy Kybs in my C3 with QA1 single adjustables. Have onöy driven about 1500 miles with them yet but my experiences this far are positive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
bought rear QA1 single adj for $280 pair. delivered to me just yesterday. i will report about them asap
I have now Bilstein HD front (stock BB springs, large bar) , Bilstein sport rear with 7 leaf.
i think Bilstein sport are a little too stiff with my set up for road driving. that's why I decided for QA1 adjustable, to taylor the stiffness to my needs ( and I think it's fun too to play with the adjustability, just a ****...)
I have now Bilstein HD front (stock BB springs, large bar) , Bilstein sport rear with 7 leaf.
i think Bilstein sport are a little too stiff with my set up for road driving. that's why I decided for QA1 adjustable, to taylor the stiffness to my needs ( and I think it's fun too to play with the adjustability, just a ****...)
the Qa1 has 12 grades of stiffness : setted at grade 3 starting from the softest setting. in this position the stiffness is about the same as my Bilstein Sport.
had a 30 miles rides and yes , very happy of the QA1.Better than Bilsteins at least with my set up.QA1 seems to give a more modern ride to my Vette : pretty stiff but comfortable and the car doesn't track anymore the road imperfections
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I doubt a whole lot of people have tried out all the various shock manufacturers on their car.
Fact of the matter is, the shock that is appropriately valved for your car setup (and that implies a lot of things: spring rate, sway bar, sidewall rigidity, basically wheel rate) is the best one to get. I don't think you can go wrong with Koni or Bilstein, unless you buy something that is totally inappropriately valved.
That being said, I have Bilstein Sports on my C3, Bilstein HDs on my truck, and a set of Bilstein Sports on the way for my C6. I almost bought a set of Koni Yellows for a Mustang I was racing last year, but then I got a good deal on this C6 and axed the Mustang.
Fact of the matter is, the shock that is appropriately valved for your car setup (and that implies a lot of things: spring rate, sway bar, sidewall rigidity, basically wheel rate) is the best one to get. I don't think you can go wrong with Koni or Bilstein, unless you buy something that is totally inappropriately valved.
That being said, I have Bilstein Sports on my C3, Bilstein HDs on my truck, and a set of Bilstein Sports on the way for my C6. I almost bought a set of Koni Yellows for a Mustang I was racing last year, but then I got a good deal on this C6 and axed the Mustang.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
The Koni adjustables (have a set myself) will give you another tuning tool, but unless you're actually going to take advantage of them IMHO you're better off saving the difference and getting the Bilsteins. Either way, they're both high quality shocks.
