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?

[Jack Standz]

We too are running Bilsteins all around, 100 pound rear springs, stock 911 front and stock 914 rear sways bars, raised spindles by 19mm with turbo tie-rods and stock 911 torsion bars. Our car is lower than stock and we run 16 x7 front and 16x8 964 wheels (D90) with 185/50 front and 245/35 rear tires.

When first driving this combination (with new control arm and trailing arm bushings), it was awful. Very harsh. Did not like it. Now after around 3k miles, it’s much better. Street only, so maybe next time less rear spring and softer torsion bars.

However, the current plan is to restore our ‘72 to very close to stock, but with the addition of front and rear 914 sway bars, leave spindle height alone, stock 4 lug Mahle wheels, etc. Already have stock rear springs and shocks/struts all around, wheels, sway bars, etc.

[mepstein]

We too are running Bilsteins all around, 100 pound rear springs, stock 911 front and stock 914 rear sways bars, raised spindles by 19mm with turbo tie-rods and stock 911 torsion bars. Our car is lower than stock and we run 16 x7 front and 16x8 964 wheels (D90) with 185/50 front and 245/35 rear tires.

When first driving this combination (with new control arm and trailing arm bushings), it was awful. Very harsh. Did not like it. Now after around 3k miles, it’s much better. Street only, so maybe next time less rear spring and softer torsion bars.

However, the current plan is to restore our ‘72 to very close to stock, but with the addition of front and rear 914 sway bars, leave spindle height alone, stock 4 lug Mahle wheels, etc. Already have stock rear springs and shocks/struts all around, wheels, sway bars, etc.

OK. I'm certainly no suspension expert but in my opinion, it's not the springs that are making the car harsh. The 19mm and 100lbs were on a stock 914-6. That car didn't ride harsh. I have found that some Bilstein HD shocks are very stiff and hash riding but not all of them. Maybe they don't have good consistency or maybe there are different production facilities and they are assembled slightly differently. Maybe they just need to break in. I don't know. Your tire size is also extremely low profile. Cars form the 70's definitely used the higher profile tires for shock absorption.

I bet if you went to higher profile tires and got the existing shocks rebuilt with custom valving, you would transform the ride for the better.

[JamesM]

Your tire size is also extremely low profile. Cars form the 70's definitely used the higher profile tires for shock absorption.

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that is something that should not be overlooked

That was one of the changes I made in the general softening of the suspension in my autox car was to go back down to a 15" wheel. Better tire selection too.


also age/condition of your control arm bushings. If you are riding on 50 year old rubber bushings it doesn't matter how soft anything else is in your setup, its going to feel harsh.

[Steve]

Your tire size is also extremely low profile. Cars form the 70's definitely used the higher profile tires for shock absorption.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
that is something that should not be overlooked

That was one of the changes I made in the general softening of the suspension in my autox car was to go back down to a 15" wheel. Better tire selection too.


also age/condition of your control arm bushings. If you are riding on 50 year old rubber bushings it doesn't matter how soft anything else is in your setup, its going to feel harsh.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I switched from 17" rims to 16' rims and 50 series tires. Huge difference on our crappy roads. 15" rims would be even better, but I like the look of 16" Fuchs. However there was a much better tire selection with 17" rims versus 16" rims.