Koni Shocks

[Ted2]

Any suggestions on where to find Koni Classic shocks?

[ZENVWDRIVER]

i'd buy them directly from Koni
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[gimmesomeshelter]

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
_________________
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned."

Richard Feynman

[Ted2]

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

[gimmesomeshelter]

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
_________________
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned."

Richard Feynman

[esde]

[gimmesomeshelter]

Yes, they were adjustable.

My biggest complaint was with the ones in the rear.

Cheers,

Paul
_________________
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned."

Richard Feynman

[Ted2]

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