924Board.org

[Kevin D]

Yeah I know you guys have typed reams here on shock choices. I have read the sticky but I still have questions...

Currently, my Koni Sports blew out on the front but the Koni Sports on the rear are still OK.
I like the plan to go the Bilstein inserts, coilover kit and later those Q1 coilovers on the rear, but I found a new pair of Koni Sports for $302 w/ shipping and was tempted to just replace. However, I gathered from the board that the consensus is $ for $ the Bilsteins are still preferred.


I do have a set of rebuildable struts I can use for the Bilstein inserts and coilover kit.

I have found 2 Bilstein choices:
1 - the stock replacement 30mm HD B6 34-001042 for $314pr w/ shipping (shock warehouse)

2- the stock replacement 36mm HD B6 34-000403 for $274pr w/ shipping (performance import rp)

So my big question: why would the 36mm struts be less $$ than the 30mm? The Bilstein site still shows both of these as "stock replacement" for the 924s but I can't find the specifics on what the differences are.
I'm assuming I would go with the larger diameter if possible?
_________________
'88 924S 3L 6sp RedRat
'92 Duc 900ss
'02 Duc 998 Carbon
'72 RD 350

[Kevin D]

Help? I need a little guidance here so I can make Rasta's party in June. I was hoping to get these strut inserts ordered ASAP. I think I have 3 pretty good options all between $275 and $314/pr. It used to be that the pricing made the choice easy.
So again, Bilstein HD or Koni Sport adj?
Then if Bilstein, 30mm or 36mm?
_________________
'88 924S 3L 6sp RedRat
'92 Duc 900ss
'02 Duc 998 Carbon
'72 RD 350

[fiat22turbo]

What are the goals?

Street, race, both?

Personally, the Koni's are always a good choice for all of the above and many times you can have them rebuilt by Koni and other companies when they wear out or need to be updated. You can get them with adjustable coil spring perches already.

The Bilsteins in the thread are more of a racing style solution, especially the shorter ones (the 30mm). I'd probably avoid them, unless you know how to valve them properly for your car/tracks.

The normal OEM-replacement style Bilsteins are a great street solution, but are not adjustable, if that matters for you at all.
_________________
Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Kevin D]

Eventually I'll answer my own question here...

So I just called on availability and Bilstein has dropped the 36mm (but still on the web sites) and they are now all sold.
On the plus side, Import Replacement has also dropped the price on the 30mm Bilsteins (34-001042) so they are now the same $ as the Koni Sport adj. (8641-1038SPORT).

So it is just one question, Bilstein 30mm HD or Koni Sport adj? The sticky votes for Bilstein, but I see Rasta is pretty happy with the Konis too....

Anybody?
_________________
'88 924S 3L 6sp RedRat
'92 Duc 900ss
'02 Duc 998 Carbon
'72 RD 350

[Paul]

Hey Kevin,

For a street car KYB at $75 each are hard to beat:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1987-Porsche-924S/Shock-Strut-Front/_/N-iujbdZ8oxxw?filterByKeyWord=front+strut&fromString=search
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[fiat22turbo]

Sure they are. You could spend $100 more and get, like, real shocks and struts.

KYB's are shite when compared to Koni or Bilstein, even Boge. Sorry they aren't performance units and are made to OEM standards as cheaply as possible.
_________________
Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Paul]

And the KYBs have a lifetime guarantee!

They work fine on the ghost which I drive to work most every day.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[fiat22turbo]

Yep, they've been "fine" on every car I've owned that has had them on. Of course compared to completely shot stockers they are an improvment. Put Koni's or Bilsteins on and they'll be shite again. Sorry no comparison.
_________________
Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Paul]

Yes but they are white and they match my car!
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[fiat22turbo]

Mine too, but I have a cunning plan:




_________________
Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[Kevin D]

Thanks guys! For the most part the car is used for daily commuting, but I am a fairly angry commuter. Plus I've been wanting to get some DE days in again and would love the opportunity to harass you Stumptown guys.

I know where Paul is coming from on the KYBs. Sometimes that harbor freight tool will get the job done and leave you the extra $$ for a celebratory beverage. But I end up regretting that path as often as it works for me. I do better at spending than saving.

So there doesn't seem to be any prejudice one way or the other. They will both do the job well, they are the same price, I don't care about the adjustments so it comes down to which ones are most likely to last. The Koni Sports that just failed on me were about 9 years old and had about 25 track days ( mostly PO) and 80k miles. I guess I really shouldn't expect much more for $300.
_________________
'88 924S 3L 6sp RedRat
'92 Duc 900ss
'02 Duc 998 Carbon
'72 RD 350

[Paul]

All kidding aside, I prefer the Bilsteins, but for a daily highway driver, the KYBs work for me.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.