KYB adjustables or Konis????

[fastforward]

Koni offers legendary performance, but they are more expensive than the KYBs. And I like how you can adjust the KYB shocks with a dial on the side for the rear shocks.
The Konis need to be adjusted from the top which is dificult for the rears after the interior bits are all back in place.
I had some KYB blues once on another car and they were great, but went soft after a short while.
A friend of mine has Konis, and says he adjusts them, but can't tell any difference after he has made adjustments.
Are the Koni struts/shocks worth the extra cash I'd be spending?
So what should I get? Ideas? I autocross occasionaly, but don't want to get jarred around on the street. So adjustable shocks seem like a good compromise. Any input is most appreciated.

KYB: http://kyb.com/products/detail.php?ID=4
Koni: http://www.koni-na.com/products.cfm

[PseudoRealityX]

My old set of Konis were daily driven for 85,000+ miles and were still good enough for 5th at Nationals on a VERY BUMPY, damper intensive site.

Full stiff to full soft isn't a HUGE difference on the street, though you can definately feel it, but it is when you need it. Some of that is because the Konis only adjust rebound, instead of the KYBs and Tokicos that adjust both compression and rebound at the same time.

[Leonard]

95% of any adjustments you would do for tuning a car for autocross are going to be rebound adjustments.

The Koni 30 series I have in the FFR can have bump and rebound adjusted independently. There's a small dial that I adjust for rebound that's easily accessible from under the car. Compression is a PITA to adjust. I've got to pull the shock from the car to change it. Thankfully, it's something that's going to be more specific to the spring rates rather than the course, so it's more or less a set it and forget it kind of situation. (http://www.koni.com/_racing/_damper_series/30/30.html)

My vote is for the Koni's.

[mofugga]

koni's, they offer better performance for autox & a softer less harsh ride on the street, when set to full soft that is. i bought my koni's used, no idea how many miles were on 'em but i'm sure they were abused, rather than buying new ones you can get 'em rebuilt & can even choose the specs to have 'em rebuilt at.

[Loren]

Speaking from the Miata world, KYB's are decent shocks. They will actually adjust softer than the Konis, even softer than the stock shocks. (at least, the 8-position adjustable 90-97 Miata version) For the money, they're a great option.

BUT... they aren't as good as the Konis. All of the things mentioned above, plus the fact that if you decide to upgrade to something different in the future, you can always SELL your Konis for 50-75% of their original cost. (try that with a KYB)

IF you're going to get hardcore into autocross, Konis are probably the best choice because you can have them revalved by people in the US who know the sport of autocross. If you're not so hardcore, you might even explore offerings from other manufacturers, such as Tein.

[buck19]

All the times I've dealt with KYB's they've lasted for a month or two.

[fastforward]

Wow, ovewhelming support for the Konis, I'm not too suprised though. Thanks for all the input. I really like the stock handling and ride quality on the SVT Focus, but after 56K and many many autocrosses and track time, they are getting a bit soft and aren't quite up to the performance they used to be. i'm looking forward to replacing the struts/shocks. thanks for the advice, if you have any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

[chi town brat]

Koni's all the way for me

<3 them in my hatch

the adjustments work great for all the different courses i run, even straight line drag :lol:

i've also heard good things about their customer service should they fail.

[w0rd]

I got my KYB's 5 years ago when they were still super cheap. So the choice was easier for me. I think I paid something like $65-70/each all the way around. Haven't had any problems with mine, they still feel good. I like having the double adjustability even if it is gimmicky or inherently flawed as the Koni faithful say.

[spoonfed]

I <3 my AGX's

[fastforward]

Well...I came across a deal for stock SVT Focus struts and shocks, with all the rubber bumpstops and grommits and what have you for a really good deal, brand new from Ford Racing for $200 bucks. I always loved the way it handled when new, so I think I'll go with this for now. Good chance I won't even have this car by the time they get soft again.
I do appreciate all the input however, Maybe I'll put the Konis on my future BMW M3. (begin dream sequence now)

[weeper]

AGX ALL TH WAY KONI ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE

[Leonard]

AGX ALL TH WAY KONI ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE

wtf are you talking about??? Koni's not adjustable??? hahahhahaha