New Koni Sports in, is ride height correct?

[cymx5]

Koni Sports installed: What Settings to Use?

I can get some dimensions this evening if necessary. Essentially, I replaced my factory shocks @ 37k miles on them over the weekend with Koni Sports. They were very 'floaty' and definately needed replacement a long time ago. The front right strut was very stiff, the front left 'seemed' ok but the bumpstop was torn, the rear right was leaking oil, the rear left was not leaking but was very very soft.

With the new shocks in, the ride height appears roughly a full inch higher in the front than the rear with my stock springs. I can't remember what it was at stock ride height, but it just looks like my trunk is loaded down right now...but it's not. I made sure the springs were set correctly on the perches upon installation. There's nothing more to do, is there?



To add to this thread then, I'll ask about Koni adjustable settings. I set mine up at 50% stiffness on all four corners. It feels great and almost like I could use a little more stiffness without becoming Tigger (Winnie the Pooh reference ) on the road.

What Koni settings are others using for the front/rear? Street and track?

 

[Wastegate13]

That's just how the MS3 sits from the factory. The one thing I really hated about the appearance.

 

[cymx5]

That comment helps a lot then.

 

[Nliiitend1]

Did you measure the length of the OEM vs. Koni strut bodies from the bottom end up to the bottom of the perches?

 

[cymx5]

That I did not. I did do a visual comparison after installing the right front strut. It looked very close in height to the factory strut installed on the left front (the perch height).

 

[Crackattak]

Koni's do raise the front. It should not be a full inch, I've heard 5/8ths.

It was noticeable on my car, but not so much where I gave it a second thought. Possibly because my springs give the car a slight rake and the 2 counteract each other.

 

[rphil10249]

CYMX5,
How long did it take to install the koni sports on your speed and did you encounter any difficulties?
I am planning to get some koni sports for my 08 speed to autocross with.

 

[cymx5]

I used all hand tools for the job with a McPherson strut spring compressor rented from AutoZone for the fronts.

The rear shock replacement is relatively simple and took me around 2-2.5 hours on a hot day. The fronts took me 2-2.5 hours for the first side I did and 1-1.5 hours for the second side I did. Breaking the fronts down: 30-45 minutes from start to full removal of strut assembly, 30-45 minutes to compress the spring and re-assembly the strut assembly, 30-45 minutes to reinstall the strut assembly and torque.

I removed the assemblies by pounding them out with a block of wood and hammer on the A-arm. Its not hard, just takes a while and takes wind out of you. My main issue was reinstalling the strut assemblies. The lower strut mount is fairly tight for the new shock, and the hook on the backside of the strut for the bolt is offset (if you look at the Koni you'll know what I mean). My first attempt on the right side was not successful because I didn't get the hook aligned and the shock would not settle the final 1/2" down. I had to tap the strut assembly out and try again.

You're basically working against two major factors: pushing a strut into a tight fit hole while the strut encounters friction and compresses instead of going in...and alignment of the hook. To address the issue (and this worked magic for both sides after doing it), I took a prybar and slightly pryed the lower strut mount open more, then I greased the ba-jesus out of the mount and the strut to slip them in smoother, then made absolutely sure the hook for the bolt was lined up by using a straight edge. I used my standard screw jack to jack up the A-arm while I tapped the lower strut mounting location side to side with a 3lb hammer. This allowed the strut to slowly but surely slide right into place.

 

[cymx5]

Another note. I'm on stock springs and plan to autocross stock class. The rear's I put at 50% stiffness and I could use more damping. I may bump that up to 75%...just a thought considering we'll be on the track as well as street. I couldn't find anything on the forums from those who have already played with the damping settings on these.

 

[rphil10249]

Thanks Cymx5,
Aside from installing the Konis I am running 235/40 18 Re-11's on stock rims 46 psi front and 50 to 52 psi in the back to get the car to turn. D-stock.
thanks again.

 

[Cheveyboy]

rphil10249, do you have pictures of your setup. Do you rub?

cymx5, has the front settled down over time?

 

[cymx5]

I will have to get a picture tomorrow to post. It's already dark tonight...

The front still rides quite a bit higher than the rears do. I'm happy with the ride comfort, but the height isn't very appealing to me on the stock springs. The rear sits low enough that I am considering getting new camber links to straighten out the rear wheels. Once I get a few pictures it will help. I'll get some measurements also.

 

[Yoo Shin]

So, how would you rate the ride quality compared to stock?

 

[BillTheCat]

So, how would you rate the ride quality compared to stock?

Yeah, I'd be interested in hearing about ride quality, both in terms of comfort and handling improvements.

 

[cymx5]

It's hard for me to comment on ride quality considering out of my factory shocks: 1 had a blown seal, 1 had a stiff/stuck piston, 2 were soft and floaty. From what I remember though, I am finding cornering to have less body roll. Hopefully I can get to the next autocross and give a detailed review. I'll definitely remember how it handles then.

 

[cymx5]

Here are some pictures: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3130834/2

 

[Cheveyboy]

cymx5, thats preaty interesting. There is a slight diffrence over stock, not alot but some. Would realy love to know the measurement from the bottom of the strut to the bottom of the pearch.

What tire size are you running?

 

[cymx5]

Tires are 225/45-18.

Front Center of Hub to Fender is 15"
Rear Center of Hub to Fender is 13.5"

The best dimension I could get on the strut was from the bottom of strut to bottom of perch is 11" (I think I measured correctly...it's hard to get a hand in there now...I ran from bottom of the perch below the offset spring seat [where the end of spring is] to the bottom of strut.

 

[SallySpeed3]

I recently on a whim decided to push down on the front end of my car and I get literally no bounce back. Meaning, when I push down I don't feel like anything happens. Is that normal? Maybe the dampers are effed? I don't feel like anything is wrong when I drive, but I am noticing a slight chirping sound when I go over some bumps, but maybe its the new tires. any thoughts?

 

[cymx5]

That sounds just like my front left strut @ 37k miles when I pulled it out. It was extremely stiff and hand compressible only an inch or two. The other side was spitting oil out the strut. I'm not familiar with the factory strut bodies otherwise I'd have a valuable answer..