E30 Shock Option Thread

[benz-tech]

I've had the KYB AGX 8-ways for the 87-93 mustang in for a few days now. They are a direct bolt-in installation. And the droop is 16" from late fender to the center of the wheel. As far as driving impressions, I set them at 3 out of the box and they drive very well-controlled and not harsh at all. I was concerned that they felt soft before install but they are great on the road. I have H&R sports. I have my Feont Konis at about a turn and a half from soft and these are about even at 3, maybe just a bit softer. Will try 4 and above tomorrow.

[2mAn]

I have a question about using the iX struts up front. I plan on getting the Koni's but Im not at the point of sectioning the housings and going full coilover yet. I have IE3 springs so the whole unit will be more compact, but I thought I read somewhere that I would need a spacer or something in the housing itself to fill the gap between the shorter strut and the original housing.

So my question is what are you using for a spacer?
AND
Should the spacer go on top of the strut or underneath the strut?

[Northern]

^I'm planning to use a piece of smaller OD steel pipe under the insert, maybe weld a plate to each end to close it off (but probably too lazy for that)

Not sure how this impacts the oil/antifreeze in the housings they bmw/koni use for heat transfer. Seems like the oil would just drain down into that void, but I haven't heard of any problems from this?



And while this thread seems to have been abandoned, I'll say that Koni 8610-1437 Race are a good/stiffer alternative to iX konis, and will work with a stock (Non-Bilstein) Gland nut if you shave the bottom of the nut down 1/8" so that it contacts the body of the shock before the outer tube/cover.

[Northern]

And while I'm here, I've been trying to find the difference between the two rear Mustang Koni options and finally decided to send Koni an email. Here is the response from a Koni rep:

The 8041-1026 Sport is shorter by 5mm in compressed length position, however it does not use a bump stop.
The 8041-1186 Sport does have a bump stop installed from the factory which makes contact with the shock body 50mm before full compression is reached.
The dampers are valved exactly the same.

[drumsauce]

Year later bump, but for the good of the thread, I emailed Koni as well about the actual measurements, looking for a shorter shock in the rear than the Bilsteins currently allow because air bags.

(Quote): The 8041 1186sport and 8042 1134sport are the same length and are the shorter of the two. They measure 503mm extended, and 321mm full collapsed metal to metal. With the bumpstop installed, the stop begins to contact at 372mm collapsed. (end quote)

1186 and 1134 are the mustang rear and made from the same shock body. 1186 is the single adjustable and 1134 are the double adjustable.

1186/1134 lengths:
Extended: 503mm (19.8")
Compressed: 372mm (14.6") w/bumpstop
Compressed: 321mm (12.6") w/out bumpstop

[hopeful]

Diameter is 1.71" according to Koni's website. They fit snug in the strut housing, there is no play.

I know I'm quoting something near ancient now but, was this with a 51mm strut housing?

[Northern]

I know I'm quoting something near ancient now but, was this with a 51mm strut housing?

Yes, 51mm strut housings.



I'm just going to blast some FRONT Koni "Race" PN Measurements here for future reference because who knows when this will disappear:

PART NUMBER	Adjustment	Diameter (mm)	Body Length (mm)	Stroke (mm)	Max Length (mm)	Min Length (mm)	Fitment
8610-1436Race	SINGLE	43.5	290	143	500	357	iX
8610-1437Race	SINGLE	43.5	332	153	540	387	RWD
8611-1256Race	DOUBLE	45.5	311	139	520	381	iX?
8611-1257Race	DOUBLE	43.5	290	143	500	357	iX
8611-1258Race	DOUBLE	43.5	391	158	615	457	RWD?
8611-1259Race	DOUBLE	43.5	332	153	540	387	RWD
8641-1021Sport(E30)	SINGLE	45.5	432	156	641	485	Stock
8641-1144Sport(E30iX)	SINGLE	45.5	349	105	516	411	Stock

Stock E30/ix fitment values are not verified - I'm skeptical about the 325ix stroke, but the inserts are pretty short.
Still happy with the 8610-1437Race with 450lb front springs, 1" sectioned from the strut, ~2" spacer under the insert.
8611-1259Race would be a good option for people who need Double adjustment.

In the red:
This is the first I've seen for either of these but they might work really well?
The 1258 are only 41mm/1.6" shorter than stock RWD, so they could genuinely work well for a RWD car with 5" front coilover spring and no spacer.
The 1256 are only 30mm/1.2" shorter than stock iX, so could be good for iX guys to run without a spacer.