Koni or QA1? Single adjustable shocks
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Koni or QA1? Single adjustable shocks
Need some opinions - I'm done with the flouncy bouncy soft ride especially in the front of my 96. The problem probably is these were brand new OEM Bilsteins when I got the car a few years ago, but the PO also had it lowered, and had a Sport front spring from VBP put in the front. It handles nice and flat but man it's bouncy, I hit the bump stops very easy in some situations (those little yellow parking lot speed bumps), and the front end lifts off on hard acceleration. I want firm and planted, no bump stops!
So I'm getting adjustable shocks for the front end, and later for the rears. Can't justify the price of double adjustibles, the singles I've found run at about 170 bucks each, but I have a choice of QA1 or Koni. I know QA1 stuff is highly regarded on the Forum, but also Koni have been doing this for years.
So which should I get?
konis
QA1s
Cheers
So I'm getting adjustable shocks for the front end, and later for the rears. Can't justify the price of double adjustibles, the singles I've found run at about 170 bucks each, but I have a choice of QA1 or Koni. I know QA1 stuff is highly regarded on the Forum, but also Koni have been doing this for years.
So which should I get?
konis
QA1s
Cheers
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,858
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
If you install the Koni singles in the rear the only way to adjust them would be to either drill a hole in the frame or take them off.
I ran the single adjustable QA1's before, they're a good shock. the adjusters on the ones I had did BOTH compression & rebound.
Get the ones with threads on them in case you want to go to coilovers later.
I ran the single adjustable QA1's before, they're a good shock. the adjusters on the ones I had did BOTH compression & rebound.
Get the ones with threads on them in case you want to go to coilovers later.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
Have fun with your choice!!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Need some opinions - I'm done with the flouncy bouncy soft ride especially in the front of my 96. The problem probably is these were brand new OEM Bilsteins when I got the car a few years ago, but the PO also had it lowered, and had a Sport front spring from VBP put in the front. It handles nice and flat but man it's bouncy, I hit the bump stops very easy in some situations (those little yellow parking lot speed bumps), and the front end lifts off on hard acceleration. I want firm and planted, no bump stops!
So I'm getting adjustable shocks for the front end, and later for the rears. Can't justify the price of double adjustibles, the singles I've found run at about 170 bucks each, but I have a choice of QA1 or Koni. I know QA1 stuff is highly regarded on the Forum, but also Koni have been doing this for years.
So which should I get?
konis
QA1s
Cheers
So I'm getting adjustable shocks for the front end, and later for the rears. Can't justify the price of double adjustibles, the singles I've found run at about 170 bucks each, but I have a choice of QA1 or Koni. I know QA1 stuff is highly regarded on the Forum, but also Koni have been doing this for years.
So which should I get?
konis
QA1s
Cheers
The QA1 coilovers have a smaller diameter spring so fit easier.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...&SubGroup=1972
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 33
From: Van Steel Corvettes
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
QA-1! I have double adjustable on the vette as I didn't want compression to go up with rebound in the rear. I have single adjustable QA-1s on my bagged truck and absolutely LOVE them. The QA-1s are quite easy to change settings...you may get a little dirty, but it's easy.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
I faced the same dilemma when I replaced my shocks.
I went with KONI.
They are very agricultural in looks, but solid units. I found that once I discovered that one perfect (for me) setting, I never had to adjust them again. Remember, once you have that "perfect" setting, any changes cause them to be "imperfect". That's why easily adjustable shocks just get most of us in trouble.
The QA1's are superb looking units, though, and if you can purchase them for the same price as the KONI's, it would be hard not to go that way.
Bottom line: either way, you can't go wrong.
Larry
_____________
not easily impressed....
I went with KONI.
They are very agricultural in looks, but solid units. I found that once I discovered that one perfect (for me) setting, I never had to adjust them again. Remember, once you have that "perfect" setting, any changes cause them to be "imperfect". That's why easily adjustable shocks just get most of us in trouble.
The QA1's are superb looking units, though, and if you can purchase them for the same price as the KONI's, it would be hard not to go that way.
Bottom line: either way, you can't go wrong.
Larry
_____________
not easily impressed....
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,129
Likes: 1
From: Pasadena CA
Thanks for all the comments. Think I'll go with the nice silver shiny ones 
I will be adjusting them as I'll be commuting but still taking it up the mountain for fun. Trackday is in this car's future too! 
I will be adjusting them as I'll be commuting but still taking it up the mountain for fun. Trackday is in this car's future too!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I bought the Koni's, but have no experience with the QA1's.
If I were buying again, I'd probably get the QA1's. I feel that the compression damping on the Koni is not enough, and the rebound is all that is adjustable.
If I were buying again, I'd probably get the QA1's. I feel that the compression damping on the Koni is not enough, and the rebound is all that is adjustable.
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