Koni or Bilstein ? Options

[Fazasport]

I am looking to replace the rear shocks and front strut inserts on my 1970 914. I will be using the car for tours, rallies, spirited driving and maybe an occasional Autocross not for track work. I am interested in a firmer ride than stock but not a harsh ride. The car does not have front or rear anti-roll bars currently.
If choosing between Koni or Bilstein which would provide the LEAST harsher ride quality?
I will also replacing the rear springs. With that in mind, should I stay with the stock 90lb springs or substitute that 100lb springs from the 914-6?

[Steve]

I tried both.. Koni's on the softest setting is a slightly better ride than Bilsteins. Also put the front sway bar on the softest setting for the street. I did learn the hard way that pot holes cause a harsher ride with a stiff front sway bar. I am running a 22mm Tarret bar on the softest setting.

[JamesM]

I tried both.. Koni's on the softest setting is a slightly better ride than Bilsteins. Also put the front sway bar on the softest setting for the street. I did learn the hard way that pot holes cause a harsher ride with a stiff front sway bar. I am running a 22mm Tarret bar on the softest setting.

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I have installed both in a good number of cars. Both are streetable but Konis on the softest seting are a bit more compliant.

Bilsteins are a bit easier to source these days but both are available. Without a full adjustable coil over kit the Bilstein rears are also more height adjustable.


22mm sway bar is to large for anything but track use, from a practical standpoint anyways. Had one on one of mine for 20 years paired with 180 lb rear springs, caused a lot of push in the front end during the tighter stuff while autocrossing.