Has anyone upgraded their Springs from the stock FFR Koni's?

[LuckyWinner]

I've heard from some people that a upgrade to the springs on the Koni's really improves the ride. Has anyone here done that? and are you happy with your change?

[AC Bill]

I suspect that it depends on the cars set up, IRS, tires, weight, HP, etc., and how/where you drive it.
I have the Koni's standard 500lb front, 350lb rear (with 3 link), and find the car handles and rides just wonderful! I haven't raced it mind you, but during some spirited driving, it feels great.
Maybe drive it with the standard springs first, you can always them upgrade later..

[edwardb]

I have to agree with AC Bill. Try it with the supplied FFR / Koni standard setup, and see what you think before changing anything. While we may not always agree with all their choices, FFR does their homework to come up with solutions that are cost effective and marketable. Their shock / spring setup has been specifically engineered for our cars, so I would at least start there. For real world experience -- this weekend was my very first drives in my 2 year build of a 4-link Mk3 with the supplied FFR Koni's and springs. Did about 60 miles on local country roads getting the feel of it. I'm actually quite surprised how well it rides, even given the stiff suspension and less than smooth Michigan roads. I'll only be cruising with it -- no track or auto-x -- and for me it's really good. I don't feel the need to change anything. And BTW, if you did want to upgrade the springs or shocks, they're really easy to change after the fact. Not like a DD, where the whole suspension needs to be taken apart in some cases.

[AZPete]

On my Mk3 with IRS I upgraded from the Bilstiens to the Konis - springs 500# frt, 750# rear - and the ride was MUCH better. The rebound of the Koni shocks are adjustable and after some trial drives I adjusted them to the stiffest rebound setting, but your butt may be different. Yup, try the FF springs first.
Pete

[Austria]

I installed custom made Öhlins, full adjustable, full expensive :eek:
are complete calculated by PC with all of the chassis settings, without it would be another sensless change...

[LuckyWinner]

Just got some springs from Gordon. He told me that I should use different spring rates in the rear due to the 3link offsetting the rear end. Good information and not much to pay for a little better ride.

[Bill_VA]

LuckyWinner, would you mind sharing with the rest of the class? What spring rates did he send you?

[LuckyWinner]

LuckyWinner, would you mind sharing with the rest of the class? What spring rates did he send you?

500 front and the 250/300 split in the rear. The upper link in the FFR 3 link is offset in the car so you run 50# more rate in the drivers side than the pass side. This fools the car into thinking the rates are the same

[AC Bill]

First time I ever heard of that solution?:confused:

250/300 lb spring seem a little on the light side to me. I heard of the odd wheel rub issues occurring, even with the 350lb Koni springs, so I don't know if lighter springs are such a good idea..?
Most builders that make changes to improve handling, do so by adding heavier spring rates, not lighter?

[LuckyWinner]

First time I ever heard of that solution?:confused:

250/300 lb spring seem a little on the light side to me. I heard of the odd wheel rub issues occurring, even with the 350lb Koni springs, so I don't know if lighter springs are such a good idea..?
Most builders that make changes to improve handling, do so by adding heavier spring rates, not lighter?

Never done this before, have to trust a man that as been doing it well for years. I hope hes right.

[COBRA_DUDE]

Will be running double adjustable QA1's for both compression and rebound. 500 lbs in the front and 300 lbs in the rear. Apparently more people are asking for lighter spring rates as they find the ride to harsh. I may go with heavier springs if I find this set up too light.

[DVANSLEEN]

I am running a 4 link and found the Koni rear 350# springs gave too stiff of a ride. Switched to 250# and the ride is much
better. I drive mostly street, no track use.

[AC Bill]

Oh come on you guys..
Hard riding, cramped, noisy, stinky, etc., etc., that's all part of the persona of these cars..:)

Buy a new Vette if your looking for creature comforts..:D

[LuckyWinner]

Oh come on you guys..
Hard riding, cramped, noisy, stinky, etc., etc., that's all part of the persona of these cars..:)

Buy a new Vette if your looking for creature comforts..:D

Dang, I just got punked by a Canadian. Just trying to make it a nice ride for the wife who will be taking road trips with me. Love Ya Brother.

[AC Bill]

You know, I was somewhat surprised at my Wifes' reaction to riding in the beast.(and lets just say she's not petite..lol) She never voiced one complaint about anything.
Mind you, we didn't go on any marathon cruises, but even with riding in the car for two hours or so, she was often commenting on how much she loved cruising in it.

[David]

Pretty light for the 3 link.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I agree with David B. I felt that the 500 front/350 rear was a bit soft for my uses (lots of auto-x and track days as well as cruising) and went the other way with what is basically a Challenge car type combo of 750/500 on a 3 link. I honestly did not feel a tremendous change in the ride but the car stays much flatter when cornering. I suggest you start with the stock setup as your baseline and change from there if you feel it's necessary once you get on the road. Spring swap only takes about an hour per end.

Good luck,
Jeff

[LuckyWinner]

For just driving around town, I've been told this will give me a nice ride. If I hit the track I will put on the springs that I got with the kit. Shouldnt take that long to change. Plan on just driving around town 90% of the time with maybe 10% race time if Im lucky.

[Jim Schenck]

The problem with changing springs on just one end of the car to give a better ride is you will upset the handling balance. Also the offset of the upper link does not affect the spring rate, sometime the race guys will set up the car for a single driver and offset rear rates but there is no reason to do it on a street car, and few people even still run the race cars that way. The spring rates that come with the cars were selected after a lot of testing done with Koni at their facility and really give a good ride/handling balance, I would try them first and then see if your preference falls to one side or the other. Then if you make a change of more than 50 lbs make it to all 4 corners.