by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 10/09/2017 at 12:59
by "way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
Published 10/09/2017 at 12:59
Tags: Toyota MR2
; Suspension
; Shock absorber
STARS: 0
Suspension Oppos, lend me advice. I’m looking at ordering strut cartridges from Tire Rack today. Are the adjustable Konis worth the $160 per corner? How are the $96 KYB shocks by comparison?
Here’s the TireRack link for the products available .
My MR2 has always had a very bouncy ride, any bump results in multiple up-and-down motions before the suspension settles again. My hope is that adjustable shocks will alleviate some of this, while also improving road-holding at autocross.
"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
10/09/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 0
I’ve been very happy with KYB’s Gas-a-just line on my trucks as well as a family’s Miata. I can’t say anything about the Konis though as I’ve never owned a vehicle with them.
"Bytemite" (bytemite)
10/09/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 0
I’ve got them in and they’re a little overdampened for even my stiffer Flyin miata springs. If you have much stiffer than stock, I think it’ll work better. They are only adjustable on the rebound, not compression. I believe Konis have the orange colored STR shocks which would be a better match for stock springs or close to stock springs.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/09/2017 at 13:08, STARS: 0
Yup, I’m looking for something to work with the stock springs for now. I’ll check out the orange ones. The car’s also my daily for the time being so I want it to remain somewhat comfortable :P
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
10/09/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 1
Your shocks are toast if your bouncing, Any shocks should solve it. Adjustable makes sense if you make large changes like load ordriving style
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
10/09/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 0
If your on stock springs, I would say no. Your not really gonna get any grip from upgrading shocks with stock springs. The non-adjustable one’s will cure your problem just fine.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/09/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 0
If the KYBs are reasonably adjustable and not overly stiff, I’ll probably save the extra money and go with those for now. How’s the range of damping they offer?
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/09/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0
I’ll be dailying during the week and casual autocrossing on weekends, the goal is for both to be fun. I guess the KYBs are probably a better choice than the Konis since I’m not crazy serious about autocross times yet.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/09/2017 at 13:19, STARS: 1
That’s a really good point. If I get the fixed shocks, that’s basically a $200 savings immediately. I’m not doing any serious upgrades to the car until I’ve done a few more months of autocross to learn its limits better anyway.
"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426)
10/09/2017 at 13:36, STARS: 1
I have to say no. If you aren’t actively looking for adjustable shocks, you don’t need them. Once you have different springs, poly bushings, sticky rubber, and adjustable sway bars, you should have adjustable shocks. Just get a decent shock that is recommended for your springs.
I was about to buy adjustable shocks, but I decided against it. I don’t really need them, even though I autox my car and only drive it on weekends.
"Sovande" (sovande)
10/09/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 0
Not a Miata, but... I just swapped out my rear Koni FSD’s for KYB AGX adjustable rear shocks. The difference is night and day. The Koni was way underdampened and the rear would bounce. The KYB’s set at the midway point are much stiffer and it is a much better ride. They were also only $50 a corner, which is nice. If I had it all to do over again I would probably have gotten the yellow Koni Sports adjustable shocks and struts - that said, I am very satisfied with the KYB.
I also have KYB gas-a-just (non adjustable) shocks and struts in my El Camino and in my Nissan 720. I have no complaints.
This is in a Volvo C30, by the way, so it’s definitely not apples to apples.
"gettingoldercarguy" (gettingoldercarguy)
10/09/2017 at 14:23, STARS: 0
If you autocross, you’ll appreciate adjustable. Even with stock springs. Iseem to remember konis being weird with how you have to adjust them.
"gettingoldercarguy" (gettingoldercarguy)
10/09/2017 at 14:29, STARS: 0
That being said, if you have an sw20 chassis, I’d spring for the Bilstein suspension. You can get those revalved to your heart’s content.
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
10/09/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0
Are you one of the Atlanta Oppos?
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
10/09/2017 at 14:45, STARS: 0
If so, I have a ST215 powered MR2 with Koni Yellow / Eibach Pro-kit suspension, poly bushings, Intake/Downpipe/Exhaust/Boost Controller and 93+ brakes, crossmember, Porterfield R4S pads
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
10/09/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 2
100% yes, but if you wait until spring, the Koni Shock Value Sale will come back and you will get them for cheaper. Also, buy them through TwosRUs, support MR2 community vendors.
"Rock Bottom" (rockbottom81)
10/09/2017 at 14:59, STARS: 0
In 2008 I bought a brand new Civic Si and loved the hell out of it. 80,000 miles later, I installed Koni Yellows and my life was changed forever. The car was still totally stock (besides EBC brake pads and gummy tires). They transformed a great car into the chariot of the gods. Best driving car I ever owned, after installing the Konis.
Buy them. You won’t be disappointed.
"ZoopZoopLoops" (zoopzooploops)
10/09/2017 at 15:00, STARS: 0
Is a strut cartridge what you want? Most people would get the whole assembly including housing so that it is an easy drop in replacement. I don’t know if it’s easy to swap into the stock housing or not.
Koni dampers are great, though the yellows will be significantly more stiff than stock and would very much benefit from stiffer springs to match, this may be more than you’re looking for. Consider the orange Koni that someone else suggested. The KYB would be good for the price too.
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/09/2017 at 15:10, STARS: 0
I’m actually out in CA unfortunately :(
That sounds like a fantastic build though, what’s it look like?
"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu)
10/09/2017 at 15:11, STARS: 0
That’s very good to know, I’ll definitely support the MR2 community. Might just buy fixed shocks for now and get the Konis from the spring sale. Sounds like a good deal!
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
10/09/2017 at 15:25, STARS: 1
Did the swap myself in this garage:
It’s bananas. I’m running 17PSI with 255 profile rear Yoko S.Drives (5 or 6 years old at this point though) and you can spin the tires off the line, grab, and then they spin again at 3500 RPM
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
10/09/2017 at 15:27, STARS: 0
Ouch about CA, though. No swap for you! Although if you did swap it, so long as you left the cat in the downpipe, no one could really tell you’d done anything other than missing an EGR and some intercooler piping
"Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street." (demon-xanth)
10/09/2017 at 16:41, STARS: 0
Mine aren’t adjustable (though the name kinda sounds like they should be...) and are on 2WD trucks that I drive hard, I find them quite pleasantly stiff.
"Aaron M - MasoFiST" (amarks563)
10/11/2017 at 15:24, STARS: 0
If you’re staying on stock springs, the KYB Excel-Gs are typically valved 10-15% stiffer than stock to compensate for driveline wear (since while the average driver may change out the shocks, very few people actually do bushing refreshes).
"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
10/11/2017 at 15:39, STARS: 0
It’s questionable. I do agree with everyone else your struts are probably fuckin shot and anything would fix the issue just fine. That said, I’ve had a few cars that had adjustables and I liked it because I could set how firm the ride was, but it’s not like I constantly changed it. If you have other things you want to spend money on, you’re better off spending money on those other things. If you’re looking at it like “eh, extra $150, whatever, sounds fun” I would probably spring for the adjustables.