Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

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avera01
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Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2011 2:20 pm

Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by avera01 »

Hi Brian, I hate to beat a dead horse to death, but I have a followup question to the new Koni shocks.

I read of drivers utilizing Koni adjustable perch shocks with stock ND GT springs and been competitive on the track.

So at which perch height will the car remain at stock height using stock springs?

How much lower does the car get when on the next step/perch down?

Thanks for your patience.

Andrew
avera01
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by avera01 »

Well after doing some more research, I came up with the following but conflicting answers:

1) Stock Springs top perch should give you stock height

2) RoadsterSport Springs should with top perch should drop the car around 1/2"

3) The confusion for me lies with the Progress springs. The the difference between the top and middle perch is 20/30mm depending whether its a Club or Sport version; i have a GT ST. If the middle perch was presumably the original standard height for the shock, then the combined affect of the old Koni and Progress springs should drop the car around 1.5 to 2". That leads me to conclude that with new Koni using the top perch and Progress springs, the drop is around 0.75 - 1".

So perhaps someone can verify/correct my math and thinking. I prefer not to lower the car more than 1/2", maintain same GT comfort and improve handling within these parameters. I find the stock shock (suspension) a bit too wavy like (up/down) motion, especially on concrete road/highways. I already have the RS sways which really makes a noticeable difference in body roll.
Greg @ GWR
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by Greg @ GWR »

The top perch is OEM level. If you put on an OEM spring on top perch you get OEM ride height. The middle perch on these shocks is not the OEM height for OEM springs. If you put lowering (aftermarket) springs on the top perch your ride height will lower however much the aftermarket springs lower. In case of the RS springs, .5" to 1". The Progress springs lower about 1". The other perches will lower further, as much as listed, 20mm-30mm. Gives those wanting to go lower than 1" some more options.
With the top perch being OEM height, it lets customers use aftermarket springs and the Koni shocks and only drop what the springs drop, instead of the old Konis where you had to figure the 1/2" or so drop of the Konis along with the drop of the springs.
The RS spring is a stiffer rate than the Progress springs, designed with autocross in mind. Progress springs have more rate than OEM, but less than the RoadsterSport set. This makes the Progress a good all-around daily driver spring.
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avera01
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by avera01 »

Thanks Greg; that helps to clear up my confusion and gives me a clearer path as what my next steps are going to be.
BillK336
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by BillK336 »

Ah. Greg's post explains why, a long time ago in my first NA, the top perch was what the forums claimed gave stock height, but when I measured bottom shock hole to perch groove, the middle was closest to stock.
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Brian
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by Brian »

BillK336 wrote:Ah. Greg's post explains why, a long time ago in my first NA, the top perch was what the forums claimed gave stock height, but when I measured bottom shock hole to perch groove, the middle was closest to stock.
Things are different on the ND version. And stock height is a moving target, if folks measure a new Miata on dealer lot the stock height will be higher than the 'stock' suspension height they measure a few years later in their driveway before they replace the worn out stock suspension. The stock shocks, all shocks, slowly give up pressure over time and slowly sit lower and lower.
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pdxa4
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by pdxa4 »

Glad that I found this thread, I just received the suspension kit from you guys.

Trying to figure out what to tell my installer, I'm in no rush and booked them for the beginning of Jan.

I'm starting to understand the different perch heights. A question for you, how different is just the height from the stock springs (19 ND2 Club) from your roadster sport springs ?

My ST ND2 Club is looking forward to a better ride height and to visually improve the wheel gap.
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by Brian »

Indeed Koni's reference is with regards to stock springs, our RoadsterSport springs are about half inch shorter than stock already.
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by pdxa4 »

Brian wrote:Indeed Koni's reference is with regards to stock springs, our RoadsterSport springs are about half inch shorter than stock already.
Thanks Brian, so with 1/2" drop on the springs, I'm thinking about using position 2 on the front and rear Koni shocks for use on my ST or is that a bit too aggressive for daily use ?
The unknown I have is that you mention how the Koni's are a bit "softer" and perhaps ride lower already.
06 Sunlight Silver NC, Sport LSD.
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Re: Koni Adj Shocks - Another question

Post by Brian »

I think position 2 sounds good, total lowering from combo of springs and shocks still going to be only about 1 to 1.5 inches...and we often go much lower than that using coilovers.
Brian Goodwin
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