Koni Questions

[Trys_Hard]

On my Sentra which weighs about 2380 I have them set at 3. I used to run it at 6. But since changing to down to 3 the suspension is more compliant and the overall grip is better in turns. The autocross lots we typically run in including the nationals are bumpy and you need to keep the bump low so you don't skate in the corners.

What spring rates are you running? I am currently running 380F/400R. Of course this is a FWD car. I am planning to go to 550F.

Art

[260DET]

275 front, 300 rear. I'd go harder but without a full cage body flex intrudes too much, I like a hard suspension and the circuits I go on have fairly good surfaces.

Does a Sentra have strut front suspension?

[Trys_Hard]

Yes Struts up front, and a Multi-Link Independant Rear.

[Trys_Hard]

275 front, 300 rear. I'd go harder but without a full cage body flex intrudes too much, I like a hard suspension and the circuits I go on have fairly good surfaces.

Does a Sentra have strut front suspension?

With 275 in the front you may be overdamping the springs at 6 clicks.

Try experimenting with lower settings. I've even used 1 click with success.

The koni's are notorious for over damping Bump.

[260DET]

Thanks Art, there was a lot of understeer but a few other adjustments have got rid of most of that. IIRC Koni says that too much bump on the front can cause understeer.

[Marty Rogan]

Hi All,

Well, since I started this thread, I thought I would tell you guys what I decided to do.

Koni can only replace or rebuild shocks built after May 1980. I traced mine back to 1972. So there is nothing I can do with them.

Rather than paying a lot of money for another non-adjustable Koni, around $140 each, I decided to go with the Tokicko Illuminas for $365, total. I have read a lot of racers comments on them and they seem to really like them. It will be nice to have some adjustability in the suspension.

So, after a bunch of research and discussion, here is the set-up that I am going with:

Energy Suspension Bushings all around; 24mm front sway bar/19mm rear; MSA front strut bar (skipping the rear for now since it has an SCCA roll bar installed); MSA lowering springs (129 front/182 rear); and 5 way adjustable Illuminas.

This car will be used for high speed, on track autocross duty and for street driving, probably about a 40/60 split. What do you guys think about that set-up?

With all these new parts coming in, I can't wait to put it all back together and try it out. Of course, I still have to wait for this fricking snow to melt!!!

Marty

Hibernating in Chicago, in pieces.

[Curtis240Z]

Sounds like a very good start. If you want to get more track/autocross serious you will have to go to a coil-over setup, but your street ride will deterioate. Decisions, decisions, decisions....

[260DET]

What spring rates? If the springs are stock then you'll need the relatively heavy anti-roll bars that you have chosen. If the car wants to hang the tail out a bit much then you may have to go down on the rear bar size.

Thats enough from him

[zguitar71]

Where are you getting the Illumina's for $365? I have not found them under $425.

[Marty Rogan]

260DET,

The spring rates are: Front 129 / Rear 182.

I got the Illuminas from JDMwerks. They have an eBay store and list them with a Buy-it Now all the time. Do a search under 240Z and you should be able to find it easy.

Marty

[zguitar71]

Thanks for the information Marty.

[Gav240z]

I'd love a pair of externally adjustable illuminas does anyone know where to get them in Australia or wanna take a guess on shipping from the US? I'm guessing $300+ for shipping.