Anyone tried the new Koni FSD struts?

[911monty]

Has anyone heard of or had experience using the new Koni FSD struts? Edelbrock had similar system with their IAS shocks. Once I used the IAS shocks I installed them on everything I drove, They were extraordinary. I am quite interested in these new Konis and would like to hear thoughts. Thanks


KONI: shock absorbers kit containing front & rear shocks

[jakeru]

I had some Koni FSDs installed on mom's 2001 VW Golf. The car was amazingly smooth over speed bumps, yet handled petty well. Not as good as high-end performance oriented shocks, but a good compromise for a street car where comfort and compliance over bumps is worth trading off for a bit less than the max performance.

For my 2001 box that I just upgraded to M030 springs, I opted for Koni sports rather than Koni FSD. Just because it's a Porsche, and I want it to feel more sporty. Don't mind feeling a little of the bumps. Still is not bad with the Konis sports. The FSDs also are not adjustable like the sports are (only the fronts are truly externally adjustable on the Boxster Koni sports - to adjust the rears requires they be removed).

The Konis (both FSD and sport) are both still a pretty new product for the 986 Boxster, having been out for less than 1 year. Maybe someone else here will have tried the Koni sports, and can report.

[xzl6b1]

They are ok.
I prefer bilsteins with stock springs.
O o

[oc-boxster]

I installed the Koni sports on my car about 5,000 miles ago and I really like them. Mine are set to the softest setting and are perfect for the street. Nice stuff ride but not so stiff speed bumps and rough patches are a big issue.

[911monty]

[QUOTE=jakeru;470614]I had some Koni FSDs installed on mom's 2001 VW Golf. The car was amazingly smooth over speed bumps, yet handled petty well. Not as good as high-end performance oriented shocks, but a good compromise for a street car where comfort and compliance over bumps is worth trading off for a bit less than the max performance.

For my 2001 box that I just upgraded to M030 springs, I opted for Koni sports rather than Koni FSD. Just because it's a Porsche, and I want it to feel more sporty. Don't mind feeling a little of the bumps. Still is not bad with the Konis sports. The FSDs also are not adjustable like the sports are (only the fronts are truly externally adjustable on the Boxster Koni sports - to adjust the rears requires they be removed).

Jakeru Thanks for the reply. My apologies for not responding. I somehow missed the reply in my own post!! I'm with you on the adjustable shocks. I've had several Adjustable Koni's and since they were a PITA to adjust they usually remained on the original setting.

Originally Posted by xzl6b1

They are ok.
I prefer bilsteins with stock springs.
O o

Are you saying the FSDs are ok or the Sport?

Originally Posted by oc-boxster

I installed the Koni sports on my car about 5,000 miles ago and I really like them. Mine are set to the softest setting and are perfect for the street. Nice stuff ride but not so stiff speed bumps and rough patches are a big issue.

Koni's have always been great shocks and for a lot of years were THE shock to own. Koni is pretty limited in their explanation of the technology behind the FSD shock but in my opinion is a mechanical version of PASM. Yes I know PASM uses a computer to control many more aspects of wheel and body control, but both use fluid control. I have attached an article which offers a little more info on IAS technology, and yes it is used in racing!

Inertia Active Suspension Technology

[jakeru]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Jakeru Thanks for the reply. My apologies for not responding. I somehow missed the reply in my own post!! I'm with you on the adjustable shocks. I've had several Adjustable Koni's and since they were a PITA to adjust they usually remained on the original setting.

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.

Originally Posted by 911monty

Koni is pretty limited in their explanation of the technology behind the FSD shock but in my opinion is a mechanical version of PASM.

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

[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

[edc]

I have a damper plot for a standard S damper at 65k ish and an M030 at approx 105k ...

[911monty]

Originally Posted by edc

I have a damper plot for a standard S damper at 65k ish and an M030 at approx 105k ...

Can you post it? I have requested a Dyno sheet from Koni NA for the FSD shocks and will post it here for comparison if they come through. Thanks

[Van914]

Why not just buy Koni's package? Sports Dampners and Ebach springs?

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Van914

Why not just buy Koni's package? Sports Dampners and Ebach springs?

I have seen some talk about this package but hadn't seen one for the 986 Boxsters, do you have a link? Would be a neat package.

[Van914]

Steved0x,
Just call them in Hebron, Ky. I was there for a tech session last week. Great Guys and real helpful.
859-586-4100

[snotrag]

ditto the above - I've not seen a Koni supplied spring/damper package available (certainly not in the UK at least).

Ref the handle - don't ask!

[steved0x]

I wasn't able to get anyone on the phone (it directed me to leave a message and then said the mailbox was full and hung up on me, I was trying the tech line, maybe should have tried sales ) But I emailed them and they got back immediately.

Koni confirmed that the FSD works with 986 Boxster springs, either M030 sport or "regular" (did not ask about ROW springs but they are popular in the UK so I imagine yes). It is compatible with the Eibach Pro kit springs for Boxster, which Eibach doesn't make anymore, so there is no kit from Koni for Boxster that includes springs. Eibach does still appear to make the Pro-kit springs for 996 2WD variants, and I think that is what Koni offers with their FSD+Springs kit for 996. They are listed as lowering the car 1" front and rear.

From time to time a set of the 986 Eibach pro-kit comes available for sale - there was one on here a while back, new in-box.

[Van914]

I have H&R springs on mine. Lowers about 1"

[Deadeye]

I put a set on my wife's 06 bmw wagon grocery getter. After a year and a half, one of the rears started pissing out fluid. Switched to Bilsteins and no problems after 3 years. YMMV

[911monty]

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