TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Mar 22, 2018 6:39 pm

Any suggestions on where to find Koni Classic shocks?

Fri Mar 23, 2018 1:49 am

i'd buy them directly from Koni

Fri Mar 23, 2018 1:24 pm

I purchased Koni shocks for my VW, but ending up selling them - they were WAY too stiff. I ended up installing Koni shocks for a 356 in front, and had my rears custom valved like a 356. Here's an old thread:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3617201&highlight=koni#3617201

If you're interested, I can go through all the things I did to improve the ride of my VW ;)

Cheers,

Paul

Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:19 pm

Thanks Paul,
I would be interested on how you improved the handling without killing the ride.

Fri Mar 23, 2018 4:39 pm

The biggest/best change I made was installing pan siffeners from Eyeball Engineering. They stiffened my pan to the point that I had to replace all my shocks with softer ones!

If you go to the trouble of purchasing/fabricating these, I would also install a truss bar (something I haven't done yet).

I had my machinist modify a later model link pin front end (with the mount for a steering dampener) so that 1) I could adjust the ride height and 2) I could use Porsche 356 sway bars.

I tried four different sway bars. The standard VW bar was too soft and the adjustable Porsche bars were too stiff. The current one that I purchased from Willhoit is just right. If make my ride feel nice and flat but I don't get whiplash every time I drive into my driveway.

http://willhoit-auto-restoration.mybigcommerce.com/porsche-356-17-5mm-sport-sway-bar/

Regarding shocks, I've tried the following: stock (nice and soft), KYB ("too much coffee" harsh), Koni for a VW Bug (way, way too stiff), and modified Koni's configured like a 356. If I were do do it over again, I would first try stock VW shocks, then ones from Bilstein, and then maybe modifies Koni shocks.

BTW, here's some valving data comparing Koni shocks for a swing axled VW, and a Porsche 356.

356 Front: 80-1044SP20 = Reb - 1350, Compression - 200

356 Rear: 80-1191SP20 = Reb - 800, Compression - 200

VW LP front: 80-1349 = Reb - 900, Compression - 450

VW Swing Rear: 80-1350 = Reb - 1050, Compression - 650

At one point I replaced my rear torsion bars with stock size bars from SAW, but they were too stiff. I did a little research and ended up modifying the bars for a nicer ride.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341313&start=0

The other thing I did was install a camber compensator for a 356. I've tried the standard ones meant for VW's, but they didn't seem to do a lot. I found one meant for 356's that can be adjusted for my ride height.

It does stiffen my ride a bit, but it does a great job controlling those ^%$# swing axles.

Cheers,

Paul

Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:43 pm

gimmesomeshelter wrote:

Regarding shocks, I've tried the following: stock (nice and soft), KYB ("too much coffee" harsh), Koni for a VW Bug (way, way too stiff), and modified Koni's configured like a 356. If I were do do it over again, I would first try stock VW shocks, then ones from Bilstein, and then maybe modifies Koni shocks.

BTW, here's some valving data comparing Koni shocks for a swing axled VW, and a Porsche 356.

356 Front: 80-1044SP20 = Reb - 1350, Compression - 200

356 Rear: 80-1191SP20 = Reb - 800, Compression - 200

VW LP front: 80-1349 = Reb - 900, Compression - 450

VW Swing Rear: 80-1350 = Reb - 1050, Compression - 650

Were the Koni shocks you tried the adjustable ones? Because I've had great success with them, and on the softest setting they are not harsh at all.
I forget if it's 5 or 8 settings from softest to firmest, but they're almost "stock" soft on the lowest, and very stiff (but not bad like the KYB gas adjust) on the highest.
if you were using a fixed valve shock, the red adjustables might be worth a look.

And damned that front sway bar is low!

SD

Fri Mar 23, 2018 10:30 pm

Yes, they were adjustable.

My biggest complaint was with the ones in the rear.

Cheers,

Paul

Sat Mar 24, 2018 7:20 am

Thanks Paul,
I also understand the comment about the Vet. We have a Vizsla.