Looking for Advice and/or Opinion on These Shocks

Bilko · Post by **Bilko** » Thu Jan 29, 15 4:50 pm

I want to update the suspension on the Cuda. Normally I would order from the States but these are from a UK seller so no import charges, but are they any good for the money?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231003168517? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Thu Jan 29, 15 5:44 pm

as far as i am aware nothing wrong with koni shocks

established brand....

i know them from my VW van days, but i could never stomach the price... and they were usually adjustable shocks

However that advert says TOP adjustable NO.
then says adjustablity yes....

the picture shows a standard oil shock with nothing to indciate adjustability in any way

if the seller can't decide, do you want to give him £240 (apologies if thre seller is a member)

is that £240 for a pair or £240 for one? i assume for a pair

either seems astronomically expensive when you can get a full set i.e all 4 of KYB Gas adjust off rockauto for about £80 + the postage packing vat and import

lets say £160 landed and home for an auto adjusting gas and oil shock...

if KYBs are good enough for mining trucks and jumbo jets one has to assume they are pretty good at making shocks for cars.

for £300 a pair you could probably get GAZ shocks (in the UK) to custom valve a set for you based on the spring rate and unsprung mass specific to your car. and they would probably be 2 way adjustable compression and rebound. might even put your car on their table and vibrate it to check they got it right

to be honest I don't know what modern advances there have been in oil shocks the koni's in the picture could be fantastic BUT.....

that seller sells load of shocks for loads of models and these seem to be expensive compared to say a firebird or an escort or a ford focus

yet look basic.

Dave

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Jan 29, 15 5:48 pm

Koni are one of the best shock makers in the world. Not THE best but up there with them.

latil · Post by **latil** » Thu Jan 29, 15 6:03 pm

Best thing I did to my old C body was KYBs on the front for 60 quid.

Bilko · Post by **Bilko** » Thu Jan 29, 15 9:53 pm

I've asked the seller if the price is for a pair (it must be for that money) and also if they are adjustable or not.

This is what I had originally planned to go for as I've heard lots of good things about the 'Firm Feel' steering box, and they sell Bilstein shocks:

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_su ... age_1.html

Coupled with the Fast Ratio Pitman arm:

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_fa ... r_arm.html

mopar_mark · Post by **mopar_mark** » Thu Jan 29, 15 10:09 pm

Check the price out of the Penske shocks if you think Konis are dear 😊

I forget the make of the Pro Stock Struts most use. They a British design & were also further developed by McClaren, before going on general availability. I think there around $7000 a pair

Shocks are normally either needle valve or disc type. Needle valves design is generally on the cheaper type shocks.

adrianp · Post by **adrianp** » Fri Jan 30, 15 6:40 am

Bilko wrote:I've asked the seller if the price is for a pair (it must be for that money) and also if they are adjustable or not.

This is what I had originally planned to go for as I've heard lots of good things about the 'Firm Feel' steering box, and they sell Bilstein shocks:

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_su ... age_1.html

Coupled with the Fast Ratio Pitman arm:

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_fa ... r_arm.html

Actually I was about to mention the Bilstein shocks myself. I don't have them but a few of the guys on the 66/67 forum rate them. It's one of those 'they are expensive but if you can afford it' purchases

adrian.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Jan 30, 15 9:34 am

Bilstein would be my second choice for non-adjustable.

If you want adjustability QA1 shocks are the way to go. Simple, well made, and very effective. I swapped my KYB shocks on my Challenger for QA1 adjustable and the difference was amazing.

I finally got my Koni FSD shocks for my Corvette on Wednesday. http://www.koni.com/car-racing/technolo ... e-damping/
Took two hours to fit and I was out testing them in the snow.

Obviously I couldn't test the cornering ability in these conditions but the ride quality over bumps has been transformed. Rides like a luxury car at low speed. Suspension is 7mm lower after replacing the gas shocks though so I need to adjust that back up.

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Fri Jan 30, 15 4:06 pm

mopar_mark wrote:Check the price out of the Penske shocks if you think Konis are dear &#55357;&#56842;

.

yeah but i wouldn't be putting them on a VW van

something appropriate to the value and intended use.... don't mind paying if i need it, didn't need it.

Dave

mr m · Post by **mr m** » Sat Jan 31, 15 6:06 pm

HAVE THEM ON MY 68 CHARGER NICE SHOCKS NOT TO HARD, IT CAME WITH KYB & HAVE HAD KYB'S ON MY MUSTANGS, VALVING IS WRONG FOR UK ROADS, I HAD GAZ MAKE ME A SET OF ADJUSTABLES FOR MY 66 MUSTANG AS THEY MADE THEM TO MY REQUIREMENTS AND ARE GOOD WITH 20 CLICK ADJUSTERS ON THEM

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Sat Jan 31, 15 6:29 pm

Bilko wrote:I've asked the seller if the price is for a pair (it must be for that money) and also if they are adjustable or not.

This is what I had originally planned to go for as I've heard lots of good things about the 'Firm Feel' steering box, and they sell Bilstein shocks:

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_su ... age_1.html

Coupled with the Fast Ratio Pitman arm:

http://www.firmfeel.com/e_body_mopar_fa ... r_arm.html

I fitted the fast ratio set up. Bearing in my mind i have power steering, id not recommend it. It makes it a little too sensitive around the centre and gives a bit of bump steer on poor roads. Will be taking it off when i get round to it.

Bilko · Post by **Bilko** » Sat Jan 31, 15 6:52 pm

Roger wrote:I fitted the fast ratio set up. Bearing in my mind i have power steering, id not recommend it. It makes it a little too sensitive around the centre and gives a bit of bump steer on poor roads. Will be taking it off when i get round to it.

Really? That's interesting, I have nothing but poor roads round here so might not bother with it. I did read it feels 'vague' when the steering is pointed straight ahead which kind of defeats the object.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat Jan 31, 15 7:49 pm

Power steering IS "fast ratio". The manual cars are the ones that had more turns lock-to-lock.

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Sat Jan 31, 15 8:06 pm

The act of making the arm longer must make the movement at the end of the arm greater for a given steering input.

For me, having messed about a fair bit and set up a handful of cars here, castor. Lots of castor. Then some more.

Check morgans thread, but he fitted adjustable SPC upper arms. I dialled in 6 degrees of castor, and it was a transformation. It drove like a "normal" car despite a pretty knackered steering box.

Im going to do this and knock back the pressure from the pump to reduce the assistance. Maybe i'll need a firm feel box? But i'll see how i get on with the above.

If i get mine to drive like morgans i'll be happy, and my steering box is much better than his, so im optimistic.

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Sat Jan 31, 15 8:08 pm

Dave wrote:Power steering IS "fast ratio". The manual cars are the ones that had more turns lock-to-lock.

He means the longer pitman arm (and idler i guess).