The rebuilt transmission, gauges, oil cooler, and baffled oil pan are looking to put budget restrictions on the R's suspension setup. I did have some Buddy Clubs, but I decided against using them for several reasons (customer service? ).

I'm thinking about just replacing the tired stock shocks, keeping the stock springs, and throwing on an adjustable rear sway bar. I think this should be enough to roll most of you at Expo

I'm I still pretty much looking at only Koni Yellows and Bilsteins for this task? Any other options? Out of the two which one is truly the better performing shock?

Expo mission: To have one of the Honda Challenge guys give me a wave by (ok so they might have to be on a cool down lap but it still counts ).

 

Bilstein Sports... When paired with the stock ITR springs, they provide excellent damping, body control, and a nice ride. The new Evo MR uses similar Bilsteins, and magazines have been raving about how they transform the car. I feel the same way about my ITR - it rides 100% better than it did on stock shocks, and still handles as good (or better IMO). I used them at Expo 4, and loved the way the car felt on the track. Best compromise beetween price, ride quality, and performance in my opinion...

If you get them, make sure you get the "SP" (Sport) shocks, these are the only ones designed for the ITR. I also recommend mounting them on the lower mounting point, it drops the car about 5-10mm, which reduces body roll slightly, but isn't so low that you will be bottoming out.

I don't have any experience with Koni's, but I'm sure there are plenty of others on here who have. I chose the Bilsteins because of all the positive things I read about them, and the price ($450 for a set at http://www.shox.com).

 

I have a full set of stock shocks/springs taken off of my car at aroud 35000 miles. Send me a PM. I'll give you a good price.

 

Koni yellows =

I'd pair them up w/ a JDM 23mm rear bar.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ActiveAero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I'm thinking about just replacing the tired stock shocks, keeping the stock springs, and throwing on an adjustable rear sway bar. I think this should be enough to roll most of you at Expo

I'm I still pretty much looking at only Koni Yellows and Bilsteins for this task? </TD></TR></TABLE>

My personal advice (after rebuilding Konis three times) would be to contact David about his OEM ITR shocks or put on some Bilsteins. The Bilsteins worked great on the track for several years, never needing to be replaced.

This advice assumes that you want a no-brainer installation and that despite your Expo attendance the car will be mostly a street vehicle.

If you will be leaning more toward tracking the car, then you might want to think about a specific Koni valving for your purposes, or going ahead with your Buddy Clubs.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My personal advice (after rebuilding Konis three times) would be to contact David about his OEM ITR shocks or put on some Bilsteins.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Someone DARES recommend a shock other than Koni on H-T?!

FWIW, I never rebuilt my Koni Yellows (off the shelf) over ~5 years and 50K miles. As far as I can tell, they're still good.

Also, Omnipower coilovers can be had for a similar price to the nicer shocks. Not sure if that's the advice you're looking for. You know, there's a suspension forum now...

-Chris

 

I'm using Bilsteins on my GS-R and on my NSX, and I think they're great! Nice ride comfort on the street, and they firm up nicely when driven hard, on the track. Also, they should last a lifetime (which is how long the warranty runs), which is a big advantage over the stock shocks IMO.

Incidentally...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philly_NBP_R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">it rides 100% better than it did on stock shocks</TD></TR></TABLE>

...one of the things you often find, when replacing shocks, is that, regardless of brand, the new ones ALWAYS seem to work better than the old ones. Differences are often attributable to the old ones being worn and not working all that well, and not necessarily due to actual differences in performance between the types of shocks (e.g. new stock shocks vs new Bilstein shocks).

 

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

To have one of the Honda Challenge guys give me a wave by (ok so they might have to be on a cool down lap but it still counts ).</TD></TR></TABLE>

No passing on the cool down laps.

Chris - who sees good suggestions above.

 

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

My personal advice (after rebuilding Konis three times) </TD></TR></TABLE>
Why is that?

Mine still feels like new after 5 years.
If you are upgrading shocks, always buy adjustable ones! You will need to adjust them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DutchITR1689 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Mine still feels like new after 5 years.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
FWIW, I never rebuilt my Koni Yellows (off the shelf) over ~5 years and 50K miles. As far as I can tell, they're still good.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

ROFL... All I can say is you guys need to drive harder.

Regular Koni Yellow won't last on the track with over around 500# springs, in my experience, and even rebuilt to SPSS specifications, they don't last long in my experience.

I could tell toward the end of last season that they might be about to go again, and someone who was under the car the other day mentioned that the rears are leaking again.

No offence to Koni, whose reputation is awesome throughout the automotive performance world, but it's just time for me to move on to something else.

I don't want to start one of those little Honda Tech wars, and I'll be the first to acknowledge that I don't know everything and I am not the best driver in the world.

And as for a no-brainer installation on a car that is going to be mostly driven on the street, I still think Bilstein for most users might be a better choice. We had the yellow ITR on the track for two years with 400#/500# and it did just great. I believe that car was sold to John in Richmond with the Bilsteins still on it.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DutchITR1689 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If you are upgrading shocks, always buy adjustable ones! You will need to adjust them.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I think that most people don't have a clue what they're doing when they adjust the dampers.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">over around 500# springs</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's the difference I was using stock springs.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">someone who was under the car the other day mentioned that the rears are leaking again. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Running over mechanics with your car again? No wonder the suspension is blown. hehehe

-Chris


Edit: I've used custom valved Bilsteins on another car with Eibachs... the shocks were very nice. *shrug*

 

So George you believe the Bilsteins will also be more durable if I decide to run a little more aggressive rates? I sure wouldn't mind giving the car a little more rear bias, but I think I want to see how much an increased rear swap helps first. I currently think the balance mid corner seems to be ok, but I'd like it to rotate harder on turn in, which I believe will be more of a sway bar adjustment correct?

&lt; forgot about the new suspension forum. Sorry.

 

Bilstein Sports (with lower springs) on the Volvo... ~210,000 miles and still feels good.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Willard &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Bilstein Sports (with lower springs) on the Volvo... ~210,000 miles and still feels good. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Doesnt feel good, feels great!

Your volvo needs to grow up Will. My integra beats your volvo...in miles!

 

shocks = 210,000
car/motor = 284,000

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .Stunna. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My integra beats your volvo...in miles!</TD></TR></TABLE>

And in looks! But that's not hard - so does everything else!

 

does koni also have a lifetime gurantee?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by answer3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">does koni also have a lifetime gurantee?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes

 

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

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

Shipping. Down time. Irritation.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And in looks! But that's not hard - so does everything else! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Bad part about it is...i would give my integra for his Volvo any day

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I could tell toward the end of last season that they might be about to go again, and someone who was under the car the other day mentioned that the rears are leaking again.</TD></TR></TABLE>

George, how did you tell they were about to go? Not questioning your judgement, just wondering what symtoms you noticed (a leak would be obvious though).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jetydosa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">George, how did you tell they were about to go? Not questioning your judgement, just wondering what symtoms you noticed (a leak would be obvious though).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ditto, i would like to know as well.

How hard were you driving that ride?

 

FWIW, on my NSX, I decided to replace the shocks because the car just didn't seem to handle with the same crispness and precision as in the past, and I attributed this to worn shocks.

Note that if the car actually seems bouncy (such as using the traditional test of pushing down on the fender and seeing how many times it bounces up and down), then you're probably WAY past the time that the shocks should have been replaced.

Kind of a vague answer, but that's what I know...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And as for a no-brainer installation on a car that is going to be mostly driven on the street, I still think Bilstein for most users might be a better choice. </TD></TR></TABLE>


.....this is something I never thought I would read - from you.

 

Theres a shock dyno in the Suspension forum, and based on the graphs the Blistein perform identical to the Konis on medium setting.