Are ajustable shocks really worth it???

[TurboBird]

I was wondering what if I should getting the ajusatable shocks are really worth the money over regular ones. I was thinkig about getting KYB AGX shocks that have 5 different ajustable setting, but they are a bit more pricy than their non-ajustable conter parts and I am not sure I would need anything like that, even though they would be nice . I was thinking that the KBY GR2s might be okay for what I want. BTW What I want is to have shocks that perform well along with being great for a smooth drive. Thanx

 

[UCSLugRacerX]

Go into further detail in terms of the priorities of your application. Either, handling, comfort, or looks, should be prioritized. Whether or not it's worth it, is a matter of what you plan to do with your car.

 

[TurboBird]

1. handling
2.Comfort
3. Looks
That would be how my priorities are. All in all I am not to concerned with looks, though I don't want something ugly as sin.

 

[UCSLugRacerX]

Then yes, they are worth it. Controling the dampening is something you want to be able to adjust if you're tuning handlin.

 

[ECLIPSE4x4]

I would suggest the tokico illuminas for the 2G applications.

 

[Jon Lane]

In my view you can play with the AGX's settings all day and still not get them to ride well. Plus, they break. Do a search and save yourself the headaches.

I had a set and have already replaced the rears with Koni Sports. The Sports are so superior at any setting, it's hard to describe. They have both a softer initial rate for small stuff in the road, plus a much more controlled long-stroke rate when you start driving hard. The AGX's in the front, even on the stiffest setting, are sloppy and unresponsive. They're not even close.

 

[jtmcinder]

I had a set and have already replaced the rears with Koni Sports. The Sports are so superior at any setting, it's hard to describe. They have both a softer initial rate for small stuff in the road, plus a much more controlled long-stroke rate when you start driving hard.

While I agree that Koni Sports are the best OTS shock for our cars, let's be accurate about why. The damping force produced by Koni Sports - like 99% of all shocks - is velocity dependent, not amplitude-dependent. In other words, it makes no difference whether the amount of shaft displacement is small or large; all that matters is how fast the shaft is moving. Also, Konis are moderately digressive, which means that the rate of force gain by velocity increase is steep at first and then flattens out. This is a good thing.

What I think you're feeling when you say that Koni Sports do well with both small bumps and hard driving is the high rebound to compression ratio (which is something that I harp on a lot). With lowl levels of compression damping - especially high-speed compression, which is what matters when you hit a bump - the ride is pretty good. With high levels of rebound damping, weight transfer occurs in a controlled and predictable manner, which is why they help handling.

- Jtoby

 

[Jon Lane]

Makes sense. Amplitude-dependent damping sounds like a bear to engineer into a popularly-priced shock, assuming you'd even want it. Have to think about that for awhile.

I mistakenly said "rate", which is an objective technical term, when I just meant to say they're subjectively far better at both extremes than the AGX's. They're easier on your ass around town and about three times more in control when you get moving. Thanks for the tip, Jtoby.

 

[hsk8te2006]

While we're talking about Koni sports... a question...

If the compression damping is low (which makes fast velocity wheel height increase as experienced when hitting a bump at higher speed possible without jarring the driver/passengers to death), then wouldn't it allow the car to lean into a corner more than something with a higher compression damping?

Also... how does high rebound damping improve handling for a corner?

 

[hsk8te2006]

Never mind.. I found this thread...

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/handling-tech/90011-gcs-konis-pro-kits-illuminas.html#post739638