WHICH STRUT ?? Poll inside

[meicalnissyen]

Looks like I can do Koni yellow, or Koni FSD for appx $550

Used to autoX a bunch, not so much now call it spirited daily driving

I do tend to notice little suspension glitches, like loose balljoints/tierod ends. those little twitchies.....bug the s*** outta me

just want smooth and controlled. undersprung and overdamped would be good

one specific Q .
between the 2, which one runs the front end lower ? since the lower spring perch is on the strut. I've seen pics of some aftermarket that run high in the front

 

[gogogomoveit]

Looks like I can do Koni yellow, or Koni FSD for appx $550

Used to autoX a bunch, not so much now call it spirited daily driving

I do tend to notice little suspension glitches, like loose balljoints/tierod ends. those little twitchies.....bug the s*** outta me

just want smooth and controlled. undersprung and overdamped would be good

one specific Q .
between the 2, which one runs the front end lower ? since the lower spring perch is on the strut. I've seen pics of some aftermarket that run high in the front

Typically shock has nothing to do with ride height. Koni yellows though, there are adjustable perches that offer a limited height adjustment.

Also on the yellows, you can adjust to the damping stiffness you like and leave it alone. On FSD, you are left to luck and hope your springs matches the FSD damping rates.

 

[Remspeed3]

Just remember that the yellows have a liftime warranty, I don't think they offer that for the FSD's. Update: yes the FSD's are suppose to be lifetime to. My mistake on info.

 

[BigDaddyMS3]

Konis

Once an AutoXer always an AutoXer. How can you say no to adjustability to fine tune your rebound? I was thinking of going with the automatic FSDs but just can't help myself from turning a dial, especially at the track. I believe the rears must be removed to adjust but you can dial them in, sooner or later!

 

[Design]

Been doing about 6 months of research on all types of suspension options. Take my input for whatever it's worth.

If you're keeping stock ride height, FSD's would probably be the better choice. They are well regarded in the MS3 community and come with a lifetime warranty. I don't think the yellows run adjustable perches on the MZ3/MS3, but they do have adjustable rebound. Koni is running a 25% off sale right now. FSD's can be had for about $570 shipped. You might also consider Bilstein HD's/Sports.

All three options are share part #'s with the MZ3, so they will be slightly underdamped - but not nearly as much as the stock dampers.

 

[Nliiitend1]

Typically shock has nothing to do with ride height. Koni yellows though, there are adjustable perches that offer a limited height adjustment.

Also on the yellows, you can adjust to the damping stiffness you like and leave it alone. On FSD, you are left to luck and hope your springs matches the FSD damping rates.

There is not a "perch adjustment" on the Koni Yellows, and therefore there is no height adjustment. At all. Period.

 

[funksilver07]

I am looking at the same question, keeping the stock springs. What about Bilsteins, HD or Sport? Can't seem to get a straight answer as to which one is the right choice for the Mazdaspeed3. I called Bilstein and they said the only difference between them is 3/4" shorter for the sports. The Bilsteins are about $200. more than the Koni's. I voted for the yellows by the way because they are adjustable, even though I doubt I will be adjusting them much once they're dialed in.

 

[meicalnissyen]

There is not a "perch adjustment" on the Koni Yellows, and therefore there is no height adjustment. At all. Period.

yup
but since the perch is part of the front strut, the ride height with stock (any) spring, is dependent on where the perch was welded on

did Koni pick the same spot on the yellow and FSD ? or does one ride higher?

 

[Nliiitend1]

yup
but since the perch is part of the front strut, the ride height with stock (any) spring, is dependent on where the perch was welded on

did Koni pick the same spot on the yellow and FSD ? or does one ride higher?

It is my understanding that they are both designed as OEM replacements for the regular Mazda 3, and to my knowledge the OEM perch on the MS3 is in the same location as the OEM perch on the regular Mazda 3 (relative to the bottom of the strut), meaning that neither of them should ride higher than the other.

 

[meicalnissyen]

It is my understanding that they are both designed as OEM replacements for the regular Mazda 3, and to my knowledge the OEM perch on the MS3 is in the same location as the OEM perch on the regular Mazda 3 (relative to the bottom of the strut), meaning that neither of them should ride higher than the other.

Well
with price the same, and ride height the same
then quality comes into paly.

has anyone heard of excessive failures with the FSD ?

lifespan thought to be comparable ?

 

[gogogomoveit]

There is not a "perch adjustment" on the Koni Yellows, and therefore there is no height adjustment. At all. Period.

I know Koni yellows with adjustable spring perches on Honda models. Looks like I have generalized this too much.

 

[Nliiitend1]

No problem.

Those Civic Yellows are just more the exception, rather than the rule. I believe there are a few other exceptions (such as offerings for the 240SX and the Civic's cousin the Integra), but most applications don't offer adjustable ride height.

 

[meicalnissyen]

bummpity