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Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR

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Old Jan 20, 2005 | 05:22 AM
  #1  
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Default Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR

I’d like to share my experience with my Koni Sport kit with everyone looking for a good value in suspension. I’m no expert driver or track day junkie, but I’m a discerning engineer who enjoys his time behind the wheel, so take this in that context.

I have had my Koni Sport Kit #1130-1000 installed on my 2000 GSR for almost a year now, which for me equates to about 25000 miles. Being in Ohio, I have driven this car in conditions ranging from crappy snow and ice with potholes to warm and dry pavement. I also do autocrosses now and again. I drive on snow tires and performance tires – so this suspension sees just about any conceivable condition. Other than this Kit, my car also has the ITR 22mm rear sway bar installed.

In summary, for a daily-driven comfort with a performance edge, this Kit makes for a great setup. As it includes the Koni Sport externally adjustable dampers, the firmness is completely tunable. Low traction and rough roads in the winter? Dial them down to soft. Enjoy that firm ride? Crank them up a bit. Looking for more neutral handling characteristics? Bias the rear firmer than the front and feel the rear tires moving around.

As the springs have a progressive characteristic, the initial travel is a relatively low rate for reasonable comfort on rougher roads. However, as the rate firms as travel continues, they do reduce body roll significantly. The picture shown was taken under hard cornering, and the body is well-controlled. The car was lowered 32mm, approx. 1.25”, enough to give a more aggressive appearance without sacrificing curb clearance or ride comfort, and the alignment is still fine.

So – if you’re looking for something to give your daily a more purposeful look and real performance benefits without completely killing your comfort, this is a great way to go. Plus, Koni quality is always a nice thing to have.

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Old Jan 20, 2005 | 05:39 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (allenp)

Thanks for posting your review! I like it when people post this kind of information, and with a photo as well!
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Old Jan 20, 2005 | 07:05 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (tranquil)

Thanks for posting! I just got the sport kit for my car, and have had it for a little less than a week, but I couldn't be happier. It's firm when it needs to be, but is soft enough to drive comefortably on any road, and being from chicago, some roads are quite bad. I haven't had a chance to test the suspension to it's fullest, but I noticed an instant improovment overall.
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Old Jan 20, 2005 | 08:52 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (marsbike)

Good Post
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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 04:50 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (Solo2Vtec)

Thanks everyone.

Again, highly recommended as a good value for daily driver/occasional auto-xers.
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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 06:47 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (allenp)

I gotta say, that's a huge-*** cone in that picture. Looks almost as big as your car. If you hit that thing, think it would go thru the windshield?

I used to have a 4dr 2001 GSR and I drove my car back to back with Big Al's. I have to say that the Koni sport kit really did a great job and seemed to be very well suited to the car.

This probably isn't the hot kit to win STS nationals or to race Honda Challenge on, but for a daily driven car that also sees some autox and track day work it is a great option.

In addition to the quality product, Lee from Koni is always on here. Him (and the rest of the Koni staff) have always been very helpful.

- Markus
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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 06:49 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR

Oh yeah, here's an old school picture of Big Al with the stock suspension, 100k miles on it and all.

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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 07:37 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (Markus)

Holy Body Roll Batman!

Wow, that does make a big difference. I forgot about that. And that pic is WITH the 22mm rear bar...
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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 07:46 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (allenp)

Body roll? Looksee at my Meotter on the stock 10 year old suspension before it also became "Koni Improved".

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Old Jan 21, 2005 | 08:10 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (Markus)

Who let that girl-car driver on here?!?
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Old Jan 22, 2005 | 06:08 PM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (allenp)

I've only seen these being sold for 96+ civics... does anyone know if they make this for 92-95? Or can I use one of the other years? Several sites I've looked at pricing them on didn't have my car listed

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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 08:50 PM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (tranquil)

I think they got em at http://www.kingmotorsports.com. check there. they might have them for your civ
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 04:35 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (tranquil)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tranquil &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've only seen these being sold for 96+ civics... does anyone know if they make this for 92-95? Or can I use one of the other years? Several sites I've looked at pricing them on didn't have my car listed

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Doesn't the DC2 have the same suspension geometry as the EG? I could be wrong, but...
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 05:42 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (allenp)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by allenp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Doesn't the DC2 have the same suspension geometry as the EG? I could be wrong, but...</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes, it does, but spring rates are different.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 07:10 PM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (allenp)

Back from the dead, does anyone know if the Koni sport kit has the adjustable perch? I know the Koni yellows have adjustable perch but in not sure about with the kit.
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Old Jun 7, 2005 | 07:29 PM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (89rexsi)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 89rexsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Back from the dead, does anyone know if the Koni sport kit has the adjustable perch? I know the Koni yellows have adjustable perch but in not sure about with the kit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Try neuspeed.com, I just got mine from them they have the adjustable perch.
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 05:55 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (Jpres927)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jpres927 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Try neuspeed.com, I just got mine from them they have the adjustable perch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

All Koni Sport shocks have adjustable perch. The SP3 version has 5 settings whereas the Sport version has 3. Both are externally adjustable.

There are a few more differences but I can't remember.

Anyways, I'm riding on SP3 shocks and stock springs and I couldn't be happer with the ride... Firm enough to take some spirited turns but soft enough to be comfortable on a long drive and not spill your coffee
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 08:32 AM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (shogun-dc2)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by shogun-dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">All Koni Sport shocks have adjustable perch. The SP3 version has 5 settings whereas the Sport version has 3. Both are externally adjustable.

There are a few more differences but I can't remember.

Anyways, I'm riding on SP3 shocks and stock springs and I couldn't be happer with the ride... Firm enough to take some spirited turns but soft enough to be comfortable on a long drive and not spill your coffee </TD></TR></TABLE>

difference between the SP3 version and the sport version ?

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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 09:08 AM
  #19  
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (jEE)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jEE &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">difference between the SP3 version and the sport version ? </TD></TR></TABLE>

as stated above, the SP3 has 5 perch settings whereas the Sport has 3. SP3's were made by Koni but also branded by Neuspeed.

again, i don't remember the differences but i remember they were posted before... do a search, you may dig something up
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Old Jun 8, 2005 | 02:11 PM
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Default Re: Koni Sport Kit Review - 2000 GSR (allenp)

Does anyone have pics of the koni sport kit installed?
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