Setup Of Koni And Spax Shocks

PostPost by: tdafforn » Wed Jan 14, 2004 5:16 pm

Just rebuilding the suspension on my +2 and have got to the stage of dialing in the initial settings to the Koni rear and Spax front shocks. Does anyone have a suggestions for a good starting point?
Cheers
Tim
1972 +2S130
User avatar
tdafforn
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1016
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: gjz30075 » Wed Jan 14, 2004 6:32 pm

Tim,
I've got Koni's all around and my car is street only with stock suspension. My rears are set for one setting above soft. Anything harder is too hard. They were fully soft when installed new 20 yrs ago. I just bumped them up a notch to compensate for age.

Greg
Greg Z
45/0243K Sprint
45/7286 S3 SE DHC
User avatar
gjz30075
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3482
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: elans3 » Wed Jan 14, 2004 8:29 pm

Tim, I have been racing and rallying for 25 yars, and I've always found Spax to be a little hard for the road or perhaps the better word is "unforgiving", certainly until they get older. If they're gas Spax they may be better now, perhaps I'm being unkind. I found by trying the lot, that you can't beat Bilsteins for competition, and Koni's for the road, they're both so much more forgiving from a ride point of view. Albeit, for the road the Armstrong originals take some beating for a mixture of good handling and ride, particularly as they were the standard fitting on most when new. Can't help feeling that if you did have to use Spax, it would be better with the Koni's on the front, and softest setting Spax on the back though..... Perhaps I'm getting old.
Steve
Current :- Elan S3 DHC SE S/S 1968,
1963 Alfa Giulia Ti Super Rep.
Previous :-
Elan S3 DHC SE SS 1968,
Elan S3 DHC S/E 1966
Elan S3 FHC Pre-Airflow 1966
elans3
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 457
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Bill » Thu Jan 15, 2004 5:40 am

I wonder if I can ask for a little advise on the shock absorber discussion as well.
I still have the origional Armstrongs on my '63 1600. Even tho I haven't really noticed any real change in handling, ride etc. I figure that after 40 years _48,000 miles -of driving it I have to be due for a new set and that I probably haven't noticed the changes over time anyway.
The car was totally rebuilt 4,000 miles ago, new suspension bushes, geometry to spec, pirellie p2500 tires. AND I am HAPPY with the handling (I think). My driving is (damned) brisk back road pleasure (no competition). I find the ride soft - it always has been even tho the handling has always been impeccable.

The quist I get from previous comments is to go to Konies to retain a reasonable sodt but firm road ride.

Do others concurr, any comments, usuall scourses (D.B.)?

Thanks Bill 26/0538
Bill Rathlef
Vancouver Island, Canada
"Keep your stick on the ice, boys."
User avatar
Bill
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 709
Joined: 05 Oct 2003

PostPost by: tdafforn » Thu Jan 15, 2004 11:06 am

Hi All,
Thanks for the details. I had wanted to get Konis all round but Paul Matty said that they were no longer made for the front of the +2 the only option being spax or AVO. The car was otherwise on the original Shocks (amazing after 30 years) and I like the combination of good ride with good road holding. I only replaced them because the ARB mount on one of the front shocks snapped and one of the rears was leaking.
Cheers
Tim
1972 +2S130
User avatar
tdafforn
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1016
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

PostPost by: elans3 » Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:27 pm

Hi again, I have a pair of almost brand new Armstrongs, (front), complete with springs (std), left over from my S3 / SE done about 4000 mls if anyone is interested. ?75 the pair
Steve
Current :- Elan S3 DHC SE S/S 1968,
1963 Alfa Giulia Ti Super Rep.
Previous :-
Elan S3 DHC SE SS 1968,
Elan S3 DHC S/E 1966
Elan S3 FHC Pre-Airflow 1966
elans3
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 457
Joined: 12 Sep 2003

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 32 guests