Suspension Upgrades Konis and H&R

[Paisan]

Just wanted to jump in and lend an opinion. I put on the H&R springs and Koni Sport Inserts on my '94. AWSOME upgrade. I've had this out on the track and it handles wonderfully, street driving isn't bad either. I also put in front group N top-mounts.

Shortly I'll be doing the perrin rear sway bar and cusco front lower support.

-mike

[greg donovan]

how exactly do inserts work?

[Paisan]

Basically you get sent tubes which look like struts without perches or mounts. you essentially cut off the top of the stockers and pull out the guts. the "insert" slides into the hollowed out stock strut. It's a royal pita to do compared to a straight strut drop in but well worth it. Gives a solid feel to the ride yet not rough. similAR to a bmw or benz in terms of solidness.

-mike

[greg donovan]

where do you cut?

i saved my old struts from my FWD sedan it would be cool if i could pu the inserts into them. i would imagine that the awd rear inserts would be too short though for a FWD rear application.

[Paisan]

They come with instructions. The shaft right below where the piston enters it is where you cut and then the whole shaft etc pulls out.

-mike

[greg donovan]

cool!

thanks.

[BAC5.2]

What do the Koni's cost?

[93Leg-c]

And another benefit from using the Koni inserts in the front is that the car will not be jacked up as it would be if you installed an aftermarket strut (at least that is what one tech support guy told me) with the factory spring. If you used H&R, Whiteline, Eibach, etc springs, then the front end should be lower than the original ride height.

[Paisan]

And another benefit from using the Koni inserts in the front is that the car will not be jacked up as it would be if you installed an aftermarket strut (at least that is what one tech support guy told me) with the factory spring. If you used H&R, Whiteline, Eibach, etc springs, then the front end should be lower than the original ride height.

agreed, the h&r ones i have dropped it a good 1.5" after settling.

-mike

[93Leg-c]

Sounds beautiful. Any chance of posting pics?

[BAC5.2]

Cost?

[93Leg-c]

BAC5.2: I don't know what Paisan paid for his but Teagues sells Koni sport inserts for Imprezas for $308 per pair (either front or rear pair).

[Legacy777]

be prepared for a much harsher ride. I have a friend in memphis that had them on his svx.

IMO KYB's are much better....plus with the koni's you'll get the fun oportunity to get them rebuilt if and when they die.

[93Leg-c]

Thanks for that input, Josh. It's good to have info from all different angles. That's one reason why this board is so great!

[BAC5.2]

$308 to utilize the flimsy stock struts?

For like an extra $150, you can get STI RA struts who's shaft diameter is nearly 2x stock.

[greg donovan]

the konis only use the housing they have their own shafts.

[BAC5.2]

But the new shaft is of the same diameter as the stock shaft, correct?

For $618, I'd rather spend the extra $132 and get some beefy struts that are more rigid to boot.

[Paisan]

shaft is thicker than stock iirc.

doubt youd find a more beefy unless you do full coilovers at $1500+

-mike

[greg donovan]

shaft is thicker than stock iirc.

doubt youd find a more beefy unless you do full coilovers at $1500+

-mike

thats what i thought.

[Paisan]

And Konis can always be rebuilt too Just send em back to Koni and they'll do em.

-mike

[greg donovan]

do you know what the rebuild fee is?

[boostjunkie]

But the new shaft is of the same diameter as the stock shaft, correct?

For $618, I'd rather spend the extra $132 and get some beefy struts that are more rigid to boot.

Phil, I have the Konis on my celica right now and I must say they are MUCH better than the GR-2s (which in my opinion are comparable in dampening as the STi struts (which are KYB).

The "shaft" you speak of is larger in the STis because of the inverted strut design. I believe the inverted design gives a little more travel than a conventional design.

HOWEVER, the STis are not adjustable, and depending on the kind of spring you get, plus your driving style, you might not like the resulting handling.

I would recommend KYB/AGXs, however, the design of their adjustment makes changing bound and rebound independently impossible. This can affect handling in a negative way. The KYB's bound adjustment is good in moderation, but in extremes might change the occillation of the suspension. Again, since the bound adjustment is changed when the rebound is adjusted, finding that balance between bound and rebound on the AGXs is impossible. Put them on a harder setting and your tires won't maintain contact with the road when hitting consecutive bumps along the pavement.

The Konis only adjust for rebound and therefore do not affect the compression rate of the spring or oscillation of the suspension.

Also, I went to a tuner shop who had cutouts of Tokicos, KYB/AGXs, and Konis back in the day. The Konis were MUCH beefier in construction than either the Tokicos or KYBs (remember the STis are also KYB design).