Koni shocks installed

BrianMSmith · 09-25-2013, 08:26 PM

09 touring sport package, with standard springs at 70k miles, softest damping setting (as delivered). the result is a sensation of calmness in the car's handling and response, providing vastly better confidence into and through corners, and more precision. The standard shocks were not blown, but probably well past their best, still I think with the Konis handling much better than new. The ride quality is also better, a bit firmer at low speed maybe, but smoother riding at high speed (which makes sense when you look at the damping profiles). Also installed new two piece brake rotors and hawk ceramic pads which vastly improve braking feel over standard. I have never felt much pleasure in braking before in my life, until now...makes me want to go faster down the straights just so I can crank on the brake full blast and whip it into the bends. Also added new Mich pilot super sport tires, which are much quieter, and on the limit much more precise than my completely shot conti DWs, which were good but a bit soft on the limit.

dAvenue · 09-25-2013, 08:52 PM

I like your setup. Koni's are as smooth as silk.

MagnumPI · 01-12-2014, 10:33 PM

Where is the best place to buy Koni's?

Joepro · 01-12-2014, 11:27 PM

Joe @ zspeedperformace gave me the best deal at the time I bought mine. I love these shocks, changed out at about 18k, vast improvement.

GSS138 · 01-13-2014, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianMSmith

09 touring sport package, with standard springs at 70k miles, softest damping setting (as delivered). the result is a sensation of calmness in the car's handling and response, providing vastly better confidence into and through corners, and more precision. The standard shocks were not blown, but probably well past their best, still I think with the Konis handling much better than new. The ride quality is also better, a bit firmer at low speed maybe, but smoother riding at high speed (which makes sense when you look at the damping profiles). Also installed new two piece brake rotors and hawk ceramic pads which vastly improve braking feel over standard. I have never felt much pleasure in braking before in my life, until now...makes me want to go faster down the straights just so I can crank on the brake full blast and whip it into the bends. Also added new Mich pilot super sport tires, which are much quieter, and on the limit much more precise than my completely shot conti DWs, which were good but a bit soft on the limit.

What did you end up using as front spring perches? OEM?

Japanjay · 01-13-2014, 06:49 PM

That is what I am wondering.

Joepro · 01-13-2014, 07:02 PM

By perches you talking about the top hats? I reused mine or you can get new OEM ones, the lower spring perch is provided.

GSS138 · 01-13-2014, 10:03 PM

So you put OEM springs back on? Awesome. Doesn't solve my problem of needing 2.5" springs but this is great to know that the lower perch fits the the OEM spring.

Throw a set of swift spec-R's on there!

And yes perch = top hat= pillow mount=probably whatever car forum is talking about it. But yes the seat that the top of the spring fits into.

Joepro · 01-13-2014, 10:20 PM

GSS138 · 01-14-2014, 08:27 AM

Not sure if that is directed at me or what it means. I have not seen an install of Konis before. What am I missing here?

speedfreek · 01-14-2014, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSS138

What am I missing here?

He is running Swift's.

GSS138 · 01-14-2014, 09:33 AM

TY. They look just like OEM, I can not see the printing on there anywhere. I want to do a similar solution using 2.5" springs and koni 2812's.

Having a heck of a time finding a top mount. Sort of wondering if I can buy a set of OEM replacements and have them fabricated.

synolimit · 01-15-2014, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSS138

TY. They look just like OEM

They do? My OEM had about 2-3" gap in between each coil. My swifts have zero gap up top for the first 5-6 coils then a 1" for the rest, same as his pic.

GSS138 · 01-16-2014, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

They do? My OEM had about 2-3" gap in between each coil. My swifts have zero gap up top for the first 5-6 coils then a 1" for the rest, same as his pic.

All squished up on the lower perch and after 4 or 5 vodkas, yeah. For some reason I thought the spec R's were blue. /shrug

Joepro · 01-17-2014, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synolimit

They do? My OEM had about 2-3" gap in between each coil. My swifts have zero gap up top for the first 5-6 coils then a 1" for the rest, same as his pic.

OEM springs are linear, they have the same spring rate all the time, swifts are progressive, the have different spring rates depending on their compression, that's why they are a bit smoother that the OEM springs. For handling I actually prefer linear springs, but I got a good deal on the swifts so I went for them.

09-25-2013, 08:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
BrianMSmith Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: secret Posts: 267 Drives: 370Z, Ducati 748S Rep Power: 16	Koni shocks installed 09 touring sport package, with standard springs at 70k miles, softest damping setting (as delivered). the result is a sensation of calmness in the car's handling and response, providing vastly better confidence into and through corners, and more precision. The standard shocks were not blown, but probably well past their best, still I think with the Konis handling much better than new. The ride quality is also better, a bit firmer at low speed maybe, but smoother riding at high speed (which makes sense when you look at the damping profiles). Also installed new two piece brake rotors and hawk ceramic pads which vastly improve braking feel over standard. I have never felt much pleasure in braking before in my life, until now...makes me want to go faster down the straights just so I can crank on the brake full blast and whip it into the bends. Also added new Mich pilot super sport tires, which are much quieter, and on the limit much more precise than my completely shot conti DWs, which were good but a bit soft on the limit. critical and SmoothSlideZ like this.

09-25-2013, 08:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
dAvenue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: present Posts: 1,971 Drives: angry Rep Power: 49	I like your setup. Koni's are as smooth as silk. __________________ Takeda \| Stillen \| Z1 \| Invidia \| Mishimoto \| CSF \| Megan Racing \| Koni \| Eibach \| SPC \| Forgestar \| Seibon

01-12-2014, 11:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joepro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Athens ohio Posts: 1,213 Drives: Company car Rep Power: 34	Joe @ zspeedperformace gave me the best deal at the time I bought mine. I love these shocks, changed out at about 18k, vast improvement. DEpointfive0 likes this. __________________ Swift\|Koni\|SPC\| FI CBE\|Z1\|Stillen\|Sbend\|Zspeed\|R/T Tuned\|523 whp\|458 tq\|10.5 psi\|SOLD Joepro's Journal\|Joepro's Boosted Performance Build \|Pittsburgh-Western-Pa-Ohio-Wv-Group

01-13-2014, 07:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Joepro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Athens ohio Posts: 1,213 Drives: Company car Rep Power: 34	By perches you talking about the top hats? I reused mine or you can get new OEM ones, the lower spring perch is provided. GSS138 likes this. __________________ Swift\|Koni\|SPC\| FI CBE\|Z1\|Stillen\|Sbend\|Zspeed\|R/T Tuned\|523 whp\|458 tq\|10.5 psi\|SOLD Joepro's Journal\|Joepro's Boosted Performance Build \|Pittsburgh-Western-Pa-Ohio-Wv-Group

01-13-2014, 10:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
GSS138 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 769 Drives: '12 370Z 6M Sport Rep Power: 14	So you put OEM springs back on? Awesome. Doesn't solve my problem of needing 2.5" springs but this is great to know that the lower perch fits the the OEM spring. Throw a set of swift spec-R's on there! And yes perch = top hat= pillow mount=probably whatever car forum is talking about it. But yes the seat that the top of the spring fits into. __________________ Current Mods: Vorpal Weapon +5.

01-12-2014, 10:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
MagnumPI Base Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hilo, Hawaii Posts: 25 Drives: 09 370Z Pearl sport Rep Power: 14	Where is the best place to buy Koni's?

01-13-2014, 06:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Japanjay Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Puyallup Posts: 856 Drives: 09 Nissan 370z MB M6 Rep Power: 15	That is what I am wondering.

01-13-2014, 10:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
Joepro A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Athens ohio Posts: 1,213 Drives: Company car Rep Power: 34	__________________ Swift\|Koni\|SPC\| FI CBE\|Z1\|Stillen\|Sbend\|Zspeed\|R/T Tuned\|523 whp\|458 tq\|10.5 psi\|SOLD Joepro's Journal\|Joepro's Boosted Performance Build \|Pittsburgh-Western-Pa-Ohio-Wv-Group

01-14-2014, 08:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
GSS138 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 769 Drives: '12 370Z 6M Sport Rep Power: 14	Not sure if that is directed at me or what it means. I have not seen an install of Konis before. What am I missing here? __________________ Current Mods: Vorpal Weapon +5.

01-14-2014, 09:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
GSS138 Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 769 Drives: '12 370Z 6M Sport Rep Power: 14	TY. They look just like OEM, I can not see the printing on there anywhere. I want to do a similar solution using 2.5" springs and koni 2812's. Having a heck of a time finding a top mount. Sort of wondering if I can buy a set of OEM replacements and have them fabricated. __________________ Current Mods: Vorpal Weapon +5.

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