Q: How far can I safely lower my
car?
A: Most cars can be lowered 30 mm without any detrimental effect. This reduction in height will usually allow the car to remain within good engineering and roadworthy parameters. In some special cases, it is possible to lower further but expert advice should be obtained before doing so. Substantial lowering is a popular fashion but it is often a very bad idea. Many cars, if fitted with very low springs will sit on the bump stops, and the suspension will not move. This can be both dangerous, and destructive to various components. KONI'S are designed to fit standard height cars, but can work equally well on lowered cars as long as they do not "bottom out". The shock absorber and suspension components generally must be protected from harsh bottoming by the factory fitted bump stops. These should not be removed or shortened. Contact Toperformance for advice.
Q: KONI makes some shocks that are not gas shocks. Why?
A: There are basically three types of shock absorber designs: Mono-tube high pressure gas, Twin-tube low pressure gas, and Twin-tube hydraulic (non gas). Each of these designs has certain ride and performance characteristics that can enhance the performance of a vehicle and KONI is the only company that makes all three designs. KONI ride development engineers evaluate each new vehicle and then decide which shock design would best apply to that vehicle. Some cars respond best to mono-tubes, some like gas pressurised and others don't. Most shock companies only utilise one or two of these styles, because it is less expensive for manufacturing, but are therefore limited in design capability and function.
Q : What is the difference between KONI Special (red) and KONI Sport (yellow)?
A: The Koni Special (red) has been designed to provide the best all round ride quality and handling combination. The Koni Sport (yellow) damper is designed as a more overtly sporting style. This damper has increased compression and rebound damping when compared to the Koni Special. Many Sport dampers are externally adjustable. In many applications, Koni offer both a Special, and a Sport version. In other applications only one type of damper is available. Some modern cars are supplied by the manufacturer with a sports style suspension, so the appropriate Koni damper to use, is the Sport version. However the Koni Sport is still valuable in optimizing the ride/handling qualities of the car.
Q: How does KONI damping compare to factory shocks?
A: This is a difficult question to answer because every KONI application is developed for that specific vehicle to get the best ride and handling characteristics. In general, most factory shocks are under damped for optimised handling so KONI engineers select firmer valvings. Unfortunately factory shocks are generally chosen for financial reason rather than performance so lower technology, cheaper shocks are the standard. In some instances, a factory shock may have good charateristics in some parts of the working range, but need some help in other parts. There are even a few instances where KONI engineers have found better handling by valving softer than the factory units.
Q: What is the best setting for my KONI's?
A: The adjustment is provided principally as a life extending mechanism. Do not over adjust.
For most vehicles, we suggest you fit the Koni's as they come, that is, in the full soft setting. This then will provide the best combination of ride and handling as designed by Koni suspension engineers. There may be some vehicles which require special consideration in regard to the adjustment. For example, 4WDrives that frequently carry heavy loads, cars that owners prefer to be more sporting in character or cars that have firmer springs installed.
If adjustment is required, one half turn, up to one and one quarter is the maximum amount usually applied. (one click on the mono-tube type). Do not use force when a stop is felt.
Q: Do I need to change the springs in my car?
A: Koni's are always designed to work with the original springs and suspension settings in mind, as they are the very best replacement shock absorber you can choose. Generally, springs do not need to be replaced as they rarely cause any problems. If however, the springs have obviously sagged excessively or if you would like to have higher rate sports springs, Koni's will continue to be the best choice, as they can be adjusted through a simple process to provide the rebound damping that will be required with the firmer springs. Shock absorbers are heat exchangers that absorb the energy stored in the spring, convert it to heat which is dissipated through cooling. If the energy is not dissipated adequately, the car will ride and handle poorly. While full adjustment will double the rebound rate, after-market springs will require only a moderate change to the adjustment. Koni's very rarely require full adjustment. Fitting sport springs with old worn dampers is a bad idea, which will result in a harsh, uncomfortable, bad handling car.
A: Most cars can be lowered 30 mm without any detrimental effect. This reduction in height will usually allow the car to remain within good engineering and roadworthy parameters. In some special cases, it is possible to lower further but expert advice should be obtained before doing so. Substantial lowering is a popular fashion but it is often a very bad idea. Many cars, if fitted with very low springs will sit on the bump stops, and the suspension will not move. This can be both dangerous, and destructive to various components. KONI'S are designed to fit standard height cars, but can work equally well on lowered cars as long as they do not "bottom out". The shock absorber and suspension components generally must be protected from harsh bottoming by the factory fitted bump stops. These should not be removed or shortened. Contact Toperformance for advice.
Q: KONI makes some shocks that are not gas shocks. Why?
A: There are basically three types of shock absorber designs: Mono-tube high pressure gas, Twin-tube low pressure gas, and Twin-tube hydraulic (non gas). Each of these designs has certain ride and performance characteristics that can enhance the performance of a vehicle and KONI is the only company that makes all three designs. KONI ride development engineers evaluate each new vehicle and then decide which shock design would best apply to that vehicle. Some cars respond best to mono-tubes, some like gas pressurised and others don't. Most shock companies only utilise one or two of these styles, because it is less expensive for manufacturing, but are therefore limited in design capability and function.
Q : What is the difference between KONI Special (red) and KONI Sport (yellow)?
A: The Koni Special (red) has been designed to provide the best all round ride quality and handling combination. The Koni Sport (yellow) damper is designed as a more overtly sporting style. This damper has increased compression and rebound damping when compared to the Koni Special. Many Sport dampers are externally adjustable. In many applications, Koni offer both a Special, and a Sport version. In other applications only one type of damper is available. Some modern cars are supplied by the manufacturer with a sports style suspension, so the appropriate Koni damper to use, is the Sport version. However the Koni Sport is still valuable in optimizing the ride/handling qualities of the car.
Q: How does KONI damping compare to factory shocks?
A: This is a difficult question to answer because every KONI application is developed for that specific vehicle to get the best ride and handling characteristics. In general, most factory shocks are under damped for optimised handling so KONI engineers select firmer valvings. Unfortunately factory shocks are generally chosen for financial reason rather than performance so lower technology, cheaper shocks are the standard. In some instances, a factory shock may have good charateristics in some parts of the working range, but need some help in other parts. There are even a few instances where KONI engineers have found better handling by valving softer than the factory units.
Q: What is the best setting for my KONI's?
A: The adjustment is provided principally as a life extending mechanism. Do not over adjust.
For most vehicles, we suggest you fit the Koni's as they come, that is, in the full soft setting. This then will provide the best combination of ride and handling as designed by Koni suspension engineers. There may be some vehicles which require special consideration in regard to the adjustment. For example, 4WDrives that frequently carry heavy loads, cars that owners prefer to be more sporting in character or cars that have firmer springs installed.
If adjustment is required, one half turn, up to one and one quarter is the maximum amount usually applied. (one click on the mono-tube type). Do not use force when a stop is felt.
Q: Do I need to change the springs in my car?
A: Koni's are always designed to work with the original springs and suspension settings in mind, as they are the very best replacement shock absorber you can choose. Generally, springs do not need to be replaced as they rarely cause any problems. If however, the springs have obviously sagged excessively or if you would like to have higher rate sports springs, Koni's will continue to be the best choice, as they can be adjusted through a simple process to provide the rebound damping that will be required with the firmer springs. Shock absorbers are heat exchangers that absorb the energy stored in the spring, convert it to heat which is dissipated through cooling. If the energy is not dissipated adequately, the car will ride and handle poorly. While full adjustment will double the rebound rate, after-market springs will require only a moderate change to the adjustment. Koni's very rarely require full adjustment. Fitting sport springs with old worn dampers is a bad idea, which will result in a harsh, uncomfortable, bad handling car.