99SI with H&R Sport springs.......need some shocks/struts only can't determine which to get.

#1 Plan to start autocrossing in the spring.......Koni Yellows = nice but $. Should I consider Tokico Blues or AGX's (prone to blow so I understand with the H&R drop) or what?

#2 Should I boost in the future will the added weight need me to redo my front suspension?

#3 And to add to the mix I plan to get (I guess??) a Progress 22mm rear sway to add to the combo, should it matter.

I'm lost and already blew one stock shock, help! Thanks! -Did a couple searches but didn't really come up with anything, if more info from me is needed just let me know

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tthomass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> -Did a couple searches but didn't really come up with anything, </TD></TR></TABLE>

Archived topics.

 

I just searched there too but only found one post that was helpful. It was dealing with a hatch too and I'm in a coupe and if I remember correctly the springs etc aren't the same. Koni Yellows were favored though and that is what I would idealy like to have but there is a $ issue so I'm trying to see if there is something else that is worthy and not going to blow on me........the Yellows handle the H&R Sport drop and with about 5 autocrosses a year and daily driving I don't have to worry about blowing right? Also, like I said, other options on shocks in ya'lls opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tthomass &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just searched there too but only found one post that was helpful. It was dealing with a hatch too and I'm in a coupe and if I remember correctly the springs etc aren't the same. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Everything is the same.

Konis are going to be your best bet..... there are many many topics on suspension, koni, kyb agx, shocks, springs, etc etc....

 

Sorry Lee bbut I was talking to a guy that has a shop downtown that does nothing but suspension and has for a few teams and he loves the Bilsteen's. He said not to get the linear Billsteen because the Koni's are better, but if you get the digressive Bilsteen's you'll never want anything else. Basically he really liked Bilsteen. I was going to put them on the Volvo before I sold it because you couldn't adjust the Konis on the rear. Just another option, and I do have to say that I love mu Koni's.

 

Well, since you have already put springs on the car you are at a disadvantage since it has moved you out of stock class and into a harder class.

But you have already done that.

If you are just planning on starting to autocross there is a very important point that you should understand: autocrossing has much much more to do with driver skill and experience than with the car. Improving the performance of your car when you are a novice autocrosser is a waste of money. Spend your money on seat time and instruction and you will have more fun and be more competitive.

But if you must spend money on mods then buy Koni Yellows. Quite frankly AGX and Tokico Illuminas are nice street shock but will not really help you in autocross. The Konis will. I am indifferent to the bar since you did not give us your spring rates on the H&Rs.

regards,
alan

 

Perform a search on "evo school" "Evolution Driving School" or similar, and you'll probably find similar advice to folks who are just starting out with autocrossing. In a nutshell: Invest your money on becoming a good driver as opposed to buying stuff to make your car better.

http://autocross.com/evolution/

Before going to one of these schools I'd recommend going to a local autocross first. You might find a great deal of information an gain quite a bit of knowledge from just riding along with experienced drivers. Believe me when I tell you it's an eye opening experience.

Good luck and have fun.

 

I was quite pleased with the AGX'es and H&R sports. There's no doubt it was a soft setup, but I was happy with it for a dual purpose car.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Weston &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was quite pleased with the AGX'es and H&R sports. There's no doubt it was a soft setup, but I was happy with it for a dual purpose car.
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I suspect that you have not compred them to Konis. The AGX and the Tokicos are decent shocks and probably a good deal better than most OEM shocks but the difference between them and Konis is far greater than the difference between them and OEM.

 

yes I agree with getting seat time but I'd like to go into it with a car that handles better than stock (plus I've already blown a shock so prob needs to be fixed).....not that I can push it to its most usuable limits but something "better". I'm not too worried about classification, a buddy and I just want to autocross but I DO need to do more reading. I'm unsure how events normally are run but I don't however want to go out and do one run and "oops, not fast enough for the next round, have a nice day" (if thats how its done but again, I don't know and just learning it now).

One question I do have though is what are some of the best places to get the Koni's for the best price? I don't want to waste time and get blues or agx's and replace them later and waste the money that I could put towards something like sway bars and autocrossing. Thanks for the info!

 

I know you can hear this a million times... but seriously, just buy the yellows, it's the last shock you'll ever buy (unless you go to a serious $ race set up) I wish I had gotten mine years ago instead of my POS Tokiko Blues.

If you get the yellows now and use your springs, then start autocrossing you'll probably want to look into a linear spring, then you can get the Ground Control coilovers that fit onto the yellows and choose any rate you want. I bought mine all in one shot and it wasn't cheap but man am I happy!

And btw, in an Autocross there's a prescribed # of runs, doesn't matter how fast you go. You'll love it!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00R101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I suspect that you have not compred them to Konis. The AGX and the Tokicos are decent shocks and probably a good deal better than most OEM shocks but the difference between them and Konis is far greater than the difference between them and OEM.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm currently running Koni Yellows with GC's. But for the 276 lbs/in spring rates of the H&R Sports, the KYB AGX is a good shock. It's performance obviously isn't up there with Koni Yellows, but neither is the price. It's a damn good shock for a dual purpose car on a budget and soft spring rates, IMO.

 

that is something else I've been thinking about......is have Koni Yellows with the H&R Sports softer spring rating going to cause any kind of damage or handling issues? I would rather have the Yellows and upgrade from my H&R Sports later.....I just can't do both at once. Thanks for the help! Oh and places recommended on purchasing the Konis? I seem to find about $540 for them

-or my best idea buy a swapped hatch and leave my SI alone (only car I've got)

 

No, you can run Yellows on stock springs if you like. It would help compensate for the softness of the springs, but honestly you aren't going to get a lot of performance out of stock springs.

 

no no no, i'm not on stock springs, i've got H&R Sports...........i'm pretty settled on the Koni's now its just a matter of selling my annoying Apexi N1 exhaust and buying them............the only question I've got is where to get them, best I've found is for around $540

 

What I meant was that the Yellows don't require stiff spring rates... they'll work with H&R's and some people even use them with stock springs.