Searched and searched but so many threads with not enuff info. Who has the best struts other than KONI (since I know they will get the most votes hands down) and why? For accords lowered around 2" more or less

 

You want the best strut but not Koni? Thats an oximoron. Koni are the best strut out there.


If you wanted a desent strut illuminas or agx-kyb is going to be your best bet.

 

yeah other than Koni already read they are the best, But want to know the next best thing as well


Modified by toyonda at 11:46 AM 8/12/2008

 

I have Skunk2 Lowering springs and Skunk2 struts and could not be more pleased.

 

what kind of ride do they give? smooth?

 

I have KYB GR-2's with eibach sportlines and it rides great. I can feel a lot more bumps in the road but its not bouncy or anything. It rides about the same as my moms g35. (quality wise)

 

There is only one clear winner in that group. I have placed my vote. Bask in the mystery.

I'll take them over a Koni btw.

 

Bilstein would be best (there is), followed by Koni, with the best of the rest arguably a fair way behind.

Others (than Bilstein and Koni) may perform reasonably OK for a while, but in 2 or 3 years you might wish you went with the better option. Top quality dampers last a long time, and then you can have them rebuilt!

 

i love my illuminas, have them inside s-techs...great ride but do yourself a favor and replace the strut mounts while you have the struts out anyway. trust me.

 

can anyone tell me the difference between Koni, KYB AGX, and Illuminas? And not a general answer like "better quality" thanx

 

Can you tell e the part number for the proper bilstein or a link thanx

Can you explain about the bilstein struts, they automatically dampen themselves, is that correct? if so how? thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by wudini &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i love my illuminas, have them inside s-techs...great ride but do yourself a favor and replace the strut mounts while you have the struts out anyway. trust me.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ive been looking for some forever, do you have a link or a site where i can get them from?


Sorry i meant where can I get the the whole top, what is the real name for the part that compresses the spring?


Modified by toyonda at 7:21 AM 8/13/2008

 

i had sex with konis one time and they called back in the morning

best strut ever

 

I would still say Skunk2. The Skunk2 shocks are designed to compensate for the lowered car by having the shock bodies shorted about 2". You lower you car 2" so why wouldnt you shorten the strut 2" so they will perform better and have more travel and be more durable at lowered ride heights. Skunk2 GREAT quallity you would not be dissapointed.

 

Are those s2's that good do they offer any kind of adjustment ride wise, im gona be ordering koni' in like a week or two. Though that would make sense to shorten the shock somewhat to increase longevity, I also saw that koni has another shock, they're orange. But are basically stock replacements anyone have experience with them?

 

no more views?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by toyonda &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">can anyone tell me the difference between Koni, KYB AGX, and Illuminas? And not a general answer like "better quality" thanx</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well, it's hard to leave out better quality, this is largely reflected in how long you can expect them to last, but also in the performance.

Konis and Bilsteins have a very 'digressive' force curve compared to most (all?) other brands, which means (simplistically put) that they will be stiff at lower speed inputs (as you get with body roll), which is important for handling on smooth roads, but be relatively much softer when hitting bigger / harsher bumps, which is important for ride comfort and handling on rougher roads (i.e. they are stiff yet supple).

Even a very digressive force curve actually gets stiffer as shaft input speeds increase, but less so than with a less digessive curve, a linear curve, or (worst of all) a progressive curve. Lesser dampers tend to have less digressive curves, some have linear curves, but few (if any?) these days would have a progressive curve.

Konis have no bump adjustment (though you can specify bump adjusting valves for extra cost), but do have a worthwhile range of rebound adjustment (from quite soft to pretty stiff), which few other adjustable dampers do. Most have very little actual rebound adjustment range, despite many having a LOT of adjustment setting positions, and most that are fitted with bump adjustment actually have very little bump range (not worth paying extra for...). Typically, the more adjustments the more corners are likely to have been cut on quality to keep costs down.

Added to this, the actual valves used in many (most?) adjustable dampers are relative junk, with very inconsistant performance at different settings (e.g. sometimes a 'softer' setting actually being stiffer, and vice versa).

Bilstein doesn't offer adjustable valves in most of their dampers (with a few exceptions I understand). Their thinking is that a good adjustable valve will never be as good / reliable as a good non adjustable valve, but the dampers are designed for relatively easy revalving (if you have the gear to do it). My understanding is that some renowned damper brands, e.g. Penske (and maybe others?), actually use Bilstein valves in (some of?) their racing dampers...

Hang on, rather than me going on and on about this, take a look at this page:
http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets6.html



Modified by johnlear at 1:25 AM 8/17/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by johnlear &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Well, it's hard to leave out better quality, this is largely reflected in how long you can expect them to last, but also in the performance.

Konis and Bilsteins have a very 'digressive' force curve compared to most (all?) other brands, which means (simplistically put) that they will be stiff at lower speed inputs (as you get with body roll), which is important for handling on smooth roads, but be relatively much softer when hitting bigger / harsher bumps, which is important for ride comfort and handling on rougher roads (i.e. they are stiff yet supple).

Even a very digressive force curve actually gets stiffer as shaft input speeds increase, but less so than with a less digessive curve, a linear curve, or (worst of all) a progressive curve. Lesser dampers tend to have less digressive curves, some have linear curves, but few (if any?) these days would have a progressive curve.

Konis have no bump adjustment (though you can specify bump adjusting valves for extra cost), but do have a worthwhile range of rebound adjustment (from quite soft to pretty stiff), which few other adjustable dampers do. Most have very little actual rebound adjustment range, despite many having a LOT of adjustment setting positions, and most that are fitted with bump adjustment actually have very little bump range (not worth paying extra for...). Typically, the more adjustments the more corners are likely to have been cut on quality to keep costs down.

Added to this, the actual valves used in many (most?) adjustable dampers are relative junk, with very inconsistant performance at different settings (e.g. sometimes a 'softer' setting actually being stiffer, and vice versa).

Bilstein doesn't offer adjustable valves in most of their dampers (with a few exceptions I understand). Their thinking is that a good adjustable valve will never be as good / reliable as a good non adjustable valve, but the dampers are designed for relatively easy revalving (if you have the gear to do it). My understanding is that some renowned damper brands, e.g. Penske (and maybe others?), actually use Bilstein valves in (some of?) their racing dampers...

Hang on, rather than me going on and on about this, take a look at this page:
http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secrets6.html

Modified by johnlear at 1:25 AM 8/17/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

i think i prefer to hear you explain, as i have not a clue of what the link if telling me. I do not know all the technical stuff about shocks and struts, but it seems like it would be very helpful if someone can elaborate a lil.

I am thinkin between the illumina, skunk2, and AGX. Not really going for the Koni as I will be using my accord as a daily car/family car. I just want it to handle excellent as well. My car for performance is my 95 Starlet GT (turbo) which will outperform my accord even if i do an dohc engine swap.

So now i an choosing from the three, kinda leaning towards the skunk2 but its also the one with the least votes. So i need some comparisons also

thanx

 

I asked a seller whats the difference and his response was "that is a good question, i'm not sure."

Does anyone know?

 

I decided to go with the skunk2 struts since the have the shortened shaft and are specifically made for lowered cars. Also because I think adjustable struts are a lil excessive for my needs. I picked the skunk2 struts w/ gold-line springs... who knows it might become a popular choice in the future

thanx for the help, more info will still be helpful for the future too