Has anybody tried the new Koni STR.T Orange shocks yet?

I might have to get a set to try them out.

 

Interesting. I wonder what CRX Lee has to say about them.

 

Yeh, this is like the second thread but can't seem to find anyone that may have them yet, because im seriously considering getting these next, I just wonder if they will work with my ground control's, wonder how they compare to the yellow's.

 

I'd like to read some thoughts from wiser members I already have a few guesses but I'd like the pros to chime in.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by (puma) &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeh, this is like the second thread but can't seem to find anyone that may have them yet, because im seriously considering getting these next, I just wonder if they will work with my ground control's, wonder how they compare to the yellow's.</TD></TR></TABLE>

http://www.tirerack.com/suspen...Strut
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tirerack &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
STR.T Street Strut
KONI has drawn on decades of high performance shock experience to develop an affordable, performance shock absorber. A great O.E. replacement that offers additional stability, control and handling without a harsh ride, the STR.T (pronounced "street") Shock also nicely complements lowering springs and/or anti-roll bar upgrades.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sounds similar to the Koni "Red" (Special) shocks, and probably not intended for high rates or radical lowering. I would venture to guess inferior compared to the Yellows, for performance use.

 

I know they are the budget shock that Koni offers. I was thinking they are probably better quality than most other budget shocks. I don't think Koni would produce anything of lesser quality.

On the Koni site it says "Compliments lowering springs" and "Performance level shock absorbers at an entry level price" as well as stating they are more of an OE replacement shock. They are probably only for mild lowering and not super high spring rates. Either way I would bet these will be the best budget shocks out there.

 

I decided to not to get the Koni oranges and just get the proven Koni yellows and ground controls with my own special rates today through THMotorsports because they had the very best prices I could find with free shipping. The yellows are proven to work great for my needs and I just dont think the oranges will be much of a high performance suspension setup but more of an OEM type shock with the ability to use lowering springs or coilovers without blowing the shocks.I'd say go with the Koni yellows unless you plan on running a soft spring rate or staying close to stock height.Im sure its a good shock like the rest of koni's products but if your going to be doing and track days, Id say def get the yellows.

 

Got some...

They're going on a completely stock 01 gsr tomorrow, and some hasport mounts will be going in on friday. Between the mounts and the shocks, it should feel like a completely different car. It's got a relatively stiff action clutch in it that has torn the stock mounts apart. Nearly 190k on the clock isn't helping, either.



I'll let you guys know how they drive, in and out of the snow by the end of the week. Should be interesting...

 

eh, welded spring perches just like every other OE-style shock.

At least both Koni Specials and Koni Sports are adjustable (internally and externally, respectively).

I'm going to guess that these are not adjustable at all. But perhaps they will handle a mild lowering better than Tokico HP's or KYB GR-2's.

*waits for ricers to slap 3" dropped race springs or 500 lb/in coilovers on these and claim to have both super-awesome y0 handling and superior ride quality*

 

It's strange to see a Koni with welded perches and brake line brackets.

Adjustability doesn't count for much IMHO, but the actual damping does. I'd love to see dyno charts. I was shown a dyno chart from a Miata STR.T shock a while back, but I won't pass judgment until I see dyno charts for a Civic application.

 

*wonders if these could be re-labeled shocks made by another company*

And what are those black caps on top of the shock body for?

 

I'm 100% sure that Koni makes these in-house, but I believe they manufacture them in South America or some place where labor costs are cheaper than Holland.

 

You say in-house, but not in Holland? So Koni has other manufacturing plants (their own plants) that are outside of Holland?

 

"Made in Argentina" according to the imprint on the shock body.

The black caps are so that you can use the stock metal dust cover. The fitment is EXACTLY like stock. Just a little better dampening I'm assuming... at least that's what I'm going for. C'mon, they're konis... they gotta be a little more fun than OEM shocks, right?

I'm in mid-install at the moment. I'm about to pick up a spring compressor from vato zone, and my dad is dropping off an angle grinder so i can take care of my snapped rear lower bolt situation. It's such a common problem. I should have just had teh angle grinder ready for action from the get go, along with some new rear OEM shock bolts. I had to settle on some from home depot until the OEM ones come in now.

 

These shock looks very similar to the Dropzones ones, but in orange color. I say that since I ran into many DZ shocks with the same features of using plastic caps on the end of the shock body and "Made in Argentina" stamped at the same location. Rebadged shocks? Probably...

 

external dimension and apperance is just one part of the whole picture, without seeing damper curve and internal, calling they are the same is just..um...

 

Koni 'Yellows' work very well with the OE springs...

 

To that I can attest.

 

[QUOTE=full Circling;36739402]Got some...

how much did u pay?

 

How did it do? I want to pick up a set for my civic.

 

interesting.... i believe its called "outsourcing".

(btw, id like to see pics of said similar dropzone shocks. the ones on ebay dont have the same features as you say and as shown.)
http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/plasma/1001shocks2.JPG

but...


to that i contest. ive tried it, theres too much rebound damping at even lowest level and not enough compression damping, especially for the rear.

 

I'd agree that Konis are bit soft on bump valving, but I have 'Yellows' on my CB7 with stock springs and don't find the rebound too stiff at all. In fact I found 'full soft' to be too soft, and have them set at about 1/4 turn from full stiff and they work very nicely there...

 

The 8041-Sports for the S2000 are a bit of a special case because Koni tweaked the forces a bit (particularly the compression) in an attempt to make improvements for stock-class autocrossing. You can't necessarily compare the S2000 application with Civic/Integra/etc. applications.

 

i mean on my crx.

i couldnt drive with them on my crx. *** would be dragging too much, definite load jacking as the suspension compressed and couldnt keep up before the next bump. at the lowest setting.

my illuminas, the same ones i raced with, handle stock springs fine. why? because compression and rebound adjust simultaneously. i just leave them at a lower level. set it and forget it.

 

anyway, back on topic.

it wouldnt surprise me that koni has outsourced the manufacturing of these shocks. theyre supposed to be non adjustable OE replacements. its pretty much what a lot of the import crowd wants. something to throw money at, but not too much... and not feel like theyre getting more than they need, because SO many times i hear, "i dont need adjustable shocks" as if thats all theyre paying for when buying a better shock. having a product line in the lower tier helps get their name out and brand trust.

i have more confidence in koni, lee grimes, whoevers, that theyll have more experience, knowledge and engineering in their design of even a lower end damper. however, even tokico blues which are made (outsourced?) in their china plants have horrible quality compared to the japanese made illuminas. and this is the same brand, same company. probably the same engineers. so who knows. but the thing koni has going for them is that theyre are more focused company with more on the line in terms of brand reputation. so i have no more reason to think these orange shocks are cheaply made and junk, until proven otherwise. i hope not to be let down.

anyway, this is all just me thinking out loud if anyone cares. take it fwiw.