Anyone tried the new Koni FSD struts?

[911monty]

Originally Posted by jakeru

IME, just having one end of the car being adjustable can be a tremendously useful tuning aid if you ever autocross or otherwise want to dial in the handling characteristic (understeer/oversteer) to near perfection.



I think about Koni FSD as being an extremely digressive shock valving - more digressive than any other shock valving on the market.

Agreed! As far as I know they are the only shock offering the technology to our cars. This is the part I am curious about i.e. In a large impact when bypass opens and blows through the spring travel, what happens when/if it hits the bump stops? I do have experience with this tech offload and I thought they were amazing but what really set them apart was how they handled washboard. Instead of skittering around on top of the bumps they were very compliant and took it in stride.

[jakeru]

I have some dyno plots of the rear 986 Koni sports. Not quite as digressive looking as I was hoping to see, but I'll bet they're going to work very nicely. Would be interesting to compare it against a 986 FSD shock dyno plot, if anyone could muster one of those.

(I had to return the first set of Koni sport rears for exchange, due to unbalanced compression valving left to right. Koni made good on it and sent me the new replacements along with individually tested dyno plots.)

I'm not really sure what you're asking about with the bump stops. But these 986 bump stops are rather long/tall and engage early, giving basically a progressive rate spring.

[Pnut]

Dyno plots for suspension?...

I'm lost

[lkchris]

Originally Posted by Pnut

Dyno plots for suspension?...

I'm lost

Even in NASCAR!

Shock Absorber - Shock Dyno - Reading Shocks - Circle Track Magazine

[Pnut]

Originally Posted by lkchris

Even in NASCAR!

Shock Absorber - Shock Dyno - Reading Shocks - Circle Track Magazine

Well I'll be damned. A shock dyno. In all the years I've had an interest in automobiles... that's a first. Does seem a bit of overkill for a road car, but hey, if I can optimize within my budget, why not? I'll hafta look for such "dyno" comparisons of suspension setups I'm interested in once the time comes to replace the factory pieces.

Interestingly, the "Bilstein Oval Track Technical Center" is eight miles up the road from me. Wonder if I can audit a class 'er two?

[911monty]

Originally Posted by lkchris

Even in NASCAR!

Shock Absorber - Shock Dyno - Reading Shocks - Circle Track Magazine

NASCAR!!!! These shocks were developed with the McLaren F1 racing team.

https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/koni_mclarenF1.pdf

[sgt brad]

I just installed them on my 996 with eibach springs and sways. The car is about an inch lower but feels almost the same as before as far as dynamics go. It's as if the struts are slightly softer than stock and the springs progressively firmer. If you want a better ride height, but want the car to ride essentially like stock then I would recommend them. There was no transformation of the car like in my boxster when I switched to biksteins and hr bars and springs. I hope that helped.

[911monty]

Originally Posted by sgt brad

I just installed them on my 996 with eibach springs and sways. The car is about an inch lower but feels almost the same as before as far as dynamics go. It's as if the struts are slightly softer than stock and the springs progressively firmer. If you want a better ride height, but want the car to ride essentially like stock then I would recommend them. There was no transformation of the car like in my boxster when I switched to biksteins and hr bars and springs. I hope that helped.

Thanks! All input is appreciated. What was your decision driver? I see these FSDs are highly thought of on the Renlist. Also your comments tend to mirror the Tire Rack test concerning the slalom, Where they initially thought the car too soft and comfy until they timed them and they outperformed the Sport on the soft setting. I think the explanation was the FSD maintained tire contact much better.