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OP
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I am looking at Konis and H&R springs, but I have read that some people's Konis sometimes become unadjustable because they can not turn the knob. Has anyone with Konis have this problem where you now can't adjust the firmness of them or just one of the struts? What other setup would provide good performance for spirited driving and maybe... maybe... track time, but mostly just spirited driving. I am thinking BAT Euro setup.
Mark
95 Contour SE ATX
Mods: A few mods with a few more to come
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I just got the H&R/Koni combination put on the car Friday, and I love it.  I haven't had it long enough to respond to your question, but I'd say get it anyway. I have my Konis set to full soft for now, until the springs get broken in and settled. After that I may firm them up a bit, but I really like the ride and handling like it is. Where in Illinois are you?
Bob Johann
SoundQ SVT
1998 T-Red SVT Contour #3088
2001 IASCA Pro Street 1-600 Champion
2002 SLAP Pro Street 1-600 Champion
2002 MECA SQL Master Class Champion
2003 IASCA StreetX 1-600 Champion
2005 SLAP Expert Street Champion
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Joined: Jul 2000
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b0x @dm1n
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b0x @dm1n
Joined: Jul 2000
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The only problem with adjustment is getting the tool in the rear strut towers. All you have to do is cut the lip off one of them and you can adjust them all you watn!
-Andy
Andy W.
The problem with America is stupidity.
I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment
for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety
labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?
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Joined: Sep 2001
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OP
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SoundQ, was the difference between the stock suspension and then that setup pretty much night and day? I would think so and hope so. I live in Naperville, but soon I am going to be in the Champaign-Urbana area. Did you install the struts and springs yourself? If so, or even if not and you know, how hard is it to install them by yourself? I have access to a lift, spring compressor, and air tools. Also, do you know, or anyone, what other parts in the suspension I should maybe replace since my car is 8 years old, not including anything to do with sway bars?
Andy W., I know that adjustment for the rear struts is a little hard, but have you heard anything about the struts becoming unadjustable not because you can't get to it or you broke the adjustment knob, screw, whatever it is? Also, in your opinion, which would be better suited to spirited driving? Bat Euro Kit or H&R/Koni? There is a price difference of about $200 between them and I guess I am trying to justify the cost. I know you have to pay to play but from what I am reading... sounds like you get a much bigger increase in performance from the H&R/Koni combination.
Mark
95 Contour SE ATX
Mods: A few mods with a few more to come
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Originally posted by Skeletor:
SoundQ, was the difference between the stock suspension and then that setup pretty much night and day? I would think so and hope so.
In a word, YES!! And that is going from a stock E0 SVT suspension to the H&R/Koni setup.
Originally posted by Skeletor:
I live in Naperville, but soon I am going to be in the Champaign-Urbana area.
I'll actually be in Naperville this Sunday. I have to meet with the roadshop manager at the Circuit City store on Rt 59 before they open at 11:00. Planning to get there between 10:00 and 10:30.
If you're going to be in the Champaign area, would you have any interest in joining the local SVTOA chapter? You don't have to have an SVT vehicle for this group, just Ford powered. It is based in East Peoria, but we have participants from as far away as Plainfield, Champaign, and Decatur. Check out the Heart of Illinois SVTOA chapter page if you're interested.
Originally posted by Skeletor:
Did you install the struts and springs yourself? If so, or even if not and you know, how hard is it to install them by yourself? I have access to a lift, spring compressor, and air tools.
I had the work done for me. I didn't have access to any of those things, plus I am not that mechanically inclined to take on this type of project without at least seeing it done a couple times. It didn't look to be that difficult if you have the proper tools.
Originally posted by Skeletor:
Also, do you know, or anyone, what other parts in the suspension I should maybe replace since my car is 8 years old, not including anything to do with sway bars?
Not sure that I can answer that. I haven't messed around with suspensions enough to know what should be and what should not be replaced.
Bob Johann
SoundQ SVT
1998 T-Red SVT Contour #3088
2001 IASCA Pro Street 1-600 Champion
2002 SLAP Pro Street 1-600 Champion
2002 MECA SQL Master Class Champion
2003 IASCA StreetX 1-600 Champion
2005 SLAP Expert Street Champion
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Quote:
what other parts in the suspension I should maybe replace since my car is 8 years old, not including anything to do with sway bars?
At least, you may want to replace the strut mounts, and some experts will say that your lower control arm bushings are probably worn, too. Too bad you can't just replace the bushings. For now, all you can do is the whole a-arm assembly.
Personally, I'm thinking of doing the strut mounts when I do my struts, and maybe holding out hope of a polyurethane replacement insert for the lowers. I know the stock bushing is bonded, but I don't see why you couldn't just burn it out. That's what everyone else does (with other cars.)
There is an Energy Suspension bushing available for the rear control arm, as well as for front and rear swaybars. After 8 years, most of the rubber is probably pretty worn out, and poly bushing would be a nice upgrade.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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Joined: Dec 2001
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CEG\'er
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Originally posted by Skeletor:
Also, in your opinion, which would be better suited to spirited driving? Bat Euro Kit or H&R/Koni? There is a price difference of about $200 between them and I guess I am trying to justify the cost. I know you have to pay to play but from what I am reading... sounds like you get a much bigger increase in performance from the H&R/Koni combination.
Let me be the one to tell you the lowdown. I have had both setups. Go for the Konis and H&Rs, you will not regret it. I have had the Konis for 1 1/2 years. No adjustment problems of any kind. Best damn strut for our cars. Just take a band saw to one adjuster knob so it will fit on the rear struts. You almost cut it down to the insert.
I just spent last weekend doing 200 miles of race driving at CA Speedway. All worked well!
Trust me I had H&R's and Koni's, then went to the BAT springs and hated them. Went back to the H&R's. Let's be honest, you usually get what you pay for.
Jim
98.5 SVT, Vortech SC, Bassani, Quaiffe, Clutchmasters Stg. 3, H&R's/Konis, BAT 22mm Sway Bar, 17" Momo Arrows, Michelin Pilot Sports, Sparco Front Brace, HPP Rear Brace, PIAA fogs & headlights.
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CEG\'er
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my car have koni/H&R set up
its great
you better get it that you will not regret it
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 193
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Posts: 193 |
yeah.. but isn't the ride much harsher than your stock svt springs?
99 SVT Black/Midnight
1462 out 2760
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Originally posted by A-TownSVT:
yeah.. but isn't the ride much harsher than your stock svt springs?
Not really. I'd describe it as "a little more firm" rather than "much harsher". Definitely not an unpleasant ride at all.
Bob Johann
SoundQ SVT
1998 T-Red SVT Contour #3088
2001 IASCA Pro Street 1-600 Champion
2002 SLAP Pro Street 1-600 Champion
2002 MECA SQL Master Class Champion
2003 IASCA StreetX 1-600 Champion
2005 SLAP Expert Street Champion
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