mismatched koni settings? - Focaljet

**henrich** · 02-26-2001, 05:20 PM

What effect would different settings for the front and rear koni's have on the suspension? Not having the rears be easily adjustable is going to cause most folks to just install them at some best-guess setting and leave them alone, but still want to adjust the fronts from time to time. What results could one expect?

------------------
2k1 Yellow ZX3
18x7.5 ASA JS5's, 215/35ZR18 Parada's
Ice-Man Intake, Thermal R&D Exhaust

**focusownerskid** · 02-27-2001, 07:05 PM

Thats what I figured would happen......We will be autocrossing with GC's and Koni's thenI think we will play with them a lil...Like set all firm in the rear and go between the highest and 2nd to highest to induce some oversteer........Then when were in town I'll leave them in the middle in the rears......Cause the way i understand it is that the rears have to physically be removed to change settings....Is this right..???.....Then I might change them for trips.....But thats a lot of work....

drew
fok

**nazthug** · 02-28-2001, 12:19 AM

damnit, would the konis be enought to control my huge rebound, springs compressing and then launching the car in the air, hopping? I have 450lb rates all around on my groundcontrols? If i get konis, will that be enough, i dont see how because they are pretty hard and put out a lot of force when decompressing, if i get softer springs for the front, would it help from hopping?

**focusownerskid** · 02-28-2001, 12:39 AM

Nazthug....I know you are just trying to be sure about what will work with your car...But this is really getting annoying (sorry) but I just keep seeing you asking the same question and getting the same answer and not being happy with it!!!!

Ground Control's WILL work with Koni's....One reason is that Koni is the leading manufacturer of sport and race shocks/struts in the world (I think) and I think they know what their doing.....And I mean think about it.....Why would GC sell Koni's for every kit they sell (optional) if they did not work with them......In closing...YES they will work with GC's the rebound will not be to much for these...You will be fine......I think Rob will agree with me.....

Naz...Sorry man....Its just that I would like you to refrain from posting the same question over and over to prevent crowding....It makes my job a lot easier...Thanks...

focal luv
drew
fok

------------------
FocaljetTEAM:NorCal/CD Silver ZX3/5 Speed/KKM Intake/Esslinger Underdrive Pulley/Ground-Control Coilovers/Focal Center Caps/50% Tint,14% Mirror/Euro Grilles/Custom Exhaust/B&M Shifter
Best ET-15.97@88 MPH
'98 SVT Contour,Fully Loaded
It's not mine,it's Y2K's
Catch Me On AIM - focusownerskid
Focaljet Stands Alone!!!!!

**P-51** · 02-28-2001, 12:47 AM

The results would be understeer or oversteer.

I suggest setting the rears to the middle to start. Then play with the front until you get your under/oversteer to where you're comfortable with it.

**nazthug** · 02-28-2001, 12:52 AM

yayaya,,,my focus can beat your focus

oh, by the way, will those konis work with my groundcontrols or not? Will they work?Will they work?
Will they work?
Will they work?
Will they work?
Will they work?

Just tryina spend my money in the right places, and i AM a very carefull person, look how long it took me to get my rims, and i hope i dont regret getting them instead of the rim2000, those are dope, look kinda like the ones on the rally zx3.
hmm

**P-51** · 02-28-2001, 10:10 AM

FOK, I agree with you 100%.

First off, from now on I'm not responding to Nazthug. It's like speaking to a wall or something. I think I've answered that question 4 times already, and not once has he told me who is feeding him false information.

Second, I don't know if Koni is #1, but they are certainly a leader, and probably the most popular in the US. Almost everybody I know in the NA who races uses Konis.

There are some that are better. Carrera for example. But these are professional level racing shocks. I think Koni is the most popular for regional, or grassroots level racing.

**fast_focus_1** · 02-28-2001, 03:22 PM

I can appreciate all of the responses to the same questions, but I have not seen on this thread or any of the other ones that I have read the question of wether or not the rears have to be off of the vehicle to adjust them? Any help to me on this is appreciated

------------------
2000 SE Sony Limited Edition w/Esslinger UDP, AEM UDP, AEM intake, Borla Exhaust, JBA header, Hella Headlight Conversion, Progress Springs, Eibach sways f/r, energy suspension bushings, 17 ICW's, FS Strut brace, FS wires

**henrich** · 03-06-2001, 01:33 PM

Okay, so if mismatching them causes understeer/oversteer. In which way? I.e.
if the rears are at medium and the fronts full soft, do I get more oversteer or understeer?

------------------
2k1 Yellow ZX3
18x7.5 ASA JS5's, 215/35ZR18 Parada's
Ice-Man Intake, Thermal R&D Exhaust

**Chris F** · 03-06-2001, 02:11 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by henrich:
Okay, so if mismatching them causes understeer/oversteer. In which way? I.e.
if the rears are at medium and the fronts full soft, do I get more oversteer or understeer?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Im pretty sure that having the rears stiffer then the fronts will lean you towards oversteer. Vice versa the fronts stiffer then the rears will put you towards understeer.

Anticipating your next question is "why run them stiff at all then?" the answer is because you want the suspension to absorb as much of the lateral load transfer as possible when turning and the stiffer they are the more they absorb.

Thats my basic understanding of how it works anyhow.

------------------
Chris Feist
Black 00' ZX3 5spd
Mods Dyno Chart

**BLKZX3** · 03-07-2001, 11:58 AM

I have the rears on the first setting and I couldn't imagine them any stiffer. I did the full setting on the front and it was really fun. The brakes become REALLY touchy as I was used to a little front end dive. Not then. And on excel, there's no front end lift. And the passengers better be holding on to the grab handles because turn in is so quick it's head smacking time. On the street, the ride sucks as there's no travel. It feels like a go kart.

**JMcQueen** · 03-08-2001, 01:09 PM

This talk of settings is confusing me somewhat. I have konis on my car and they adjust by turning the white knob. Theres no positive 'click' to indicate a move from one setting to another. It turns through 720 degrees from min to max and you just gauge the setting you require from this i.e 0o soft 360o Medium 720o Firm. Are the US Konis different?

------------------
1.8 Focus Zetec (UK)
Pacific Green
Lockwood white dials
Momo gear knob
Koni shocks
Eibach springs

**focusownerskid** · 03-08-2001, 09:14 PM

What they are talking about is,how will having different settings front and rear affect handling....Not how to adjust the fronts...Although I would like this Q answered by someone of expertise....(P-51

)

How do you adjust the rears....Do yuo actually take them off the car....Explain someone please..

drew
fok

**P-51** · 03-09-2001, 10:07 AM

I thought this was answered already by CTB...

Setting the rears stiffer will give you more oversteer.

Setting the fronts stiffer will give you more understeer.

I can't answer the questions about phyically adjusting the shocks... as I don't have a set yet.

**focusownerskid** · 03-09-2001, 11:46 AM

Oh no...It wasnt me asking I was answering a Q,asked by JMcQueen.....I just wanted to know what goes into adjusting the rears...I realize how different settings will affect handling..

drew
fok

**JMcQueen** · 03-09-2001, 05:55 PM

I think you misunderstood what I was asking. The way other members have described altering their settings it sounds as if there is some way of differentiating between one setting and another e.g. a 'click' or 'notch'. With mine you can only turn the adjustment through 2 full turns so you have to estimate you setting based on this i.e. one turn medium, 2 turns full stiff. Do the US dampers have the same method or something different?. If I had a better understanding of how people differentiate between, say, the first and second settings I would be able to comment on my settings.

------------------
1.8 Focus Zetec (UK)
Pacific Green
Lockwood white dials
Momo gear knob
Koni shocks
Eibach springs

[This message has been edited by JMcQueen (edited 03-10-2001).]

**focusownerskid** · 03-10-2001, 03:49 AM

Oh sorry..Yes I must have misunderstood....We do not have these shocks/struts as of yet,so I can not comment on the operation of them...

drew
fok

**vavenom** · 03-10-2001, 07:37 AM

I can there is no set detent on front, they are just like yours, The rears have to have the bottom shock mount removed to adjust but they do not have to be removed from the car and they adjust the same as the fronts by turning each one equal degrees.

------------------
01 silver ZX3, Intrax 3 inch drop springs, Koni shocks, Vibrant cat back with dual DTM tip, FS flex pipe, B&M shifter w/carbon fiber knob, clear corner lites, platinum window tint, eibach sway bars, poly bushings, FS 8mm plugwires, Esslinger intake cam, cam gears and UDP
on the way: Esslinger CAI, RS rear spoiler

When in doubt, gas it!

**JMcQueen** · 03-12-2001, 09:38 AM

Thanks Vavenom I was starting to thin kI had been sold B stock or something. I tend to keep mine around the 360o mark (mid setting) Ive tried the fronts on full firm and found the car to be jittery. The rears are too much hassle to adjust so I leave them mid setting too.

**speedy_zx3** · 03-13-2001, 03:40 AM

I could save you guys heaps of trouble. I don't know how they would sit in a focus (read - stiffness), but a buddy of mine has some kyb 4-way adjustables on his 91 civic hb and he says that on the lowest setting they are stiffer than hell. he's got them matched to h&r race springs too. now, I've seen those struts and they have numbers (1-2-3-4) to adjust where you want the setting. and it's as easy as a flat-head screwdriver to adjust them.

the only thing is, I've asked him about the focus, and apparently they haven't made them yet. damn.

------------------
" I said to Hollywood, 'Where'd he go?' and Hollywood was like, 'Where'd who goooooo?' "
------------------
'01 Twilight Blue ZX3 5-spd w/ Power/Premium options
NOW:JBA Header, Esslinger UDP (blue)
LATER:AEM CAI, Spark Plug Wires, H&R Sport springs, KYB 4-way adjustable struts, Eibach anti-sway bar kit, MBRP exhaust, 17" ICW GT Sport rims w/ BFG Euro T/A's

**BLKZX3** · 03-14-2001, 11:12 AM

The first setting front and rear is PLENTY stiff for the daily commute. I'm still getting used to it. But, when loaded, the ride is AWESOME!! I tried full front and it bounced over every bump in the road. The handling was amazing and there was ZERO front end lift. But, IMHO, for track only.

02-27-2001, 07:05 PM	#2
focusownerskid Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroe, MI Posts: 15,407	Re: mismatched koni settings? Thats what I figured would happen......We will be autocrossing with GC's and Koni's thenI think we will play with them a lil...Like set all firm in the rear and go between the highest and 2nd to highest to induce some oversteer........Then when were in town I'll leave them in the middle in the rears......Cause the way i understand it is that the rears have to physically be removed to change settings....Is this right..???.....Then I might change them for trips.....But thats a lot of work.... drew fok

02-28-2001, 12:19 AM	#3
nazthug [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: san ramon, ca, usa Posts: 14,215	Re: mismatched koni settings? damnit, would the konis be enought to control my huge rebound, springs compressing and then launching the car in the air, hopping? I have 450lb rates all around on my groundcontrols? If i get konis, will that be enough, i dont see how because they are pretty hard and put out a lot of force when decompressing, if i get softer springs for the front, would it help from hopping?

02-28-2001, 12:39 AM	#4
focusownerskid Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroe, MI Posts: 15,407	Re: mismatched koni settings? Nazthug....I know you are just trying to be sure about what will work with your car...But this is really getting annoying (sorry) but I just keep seeing you asking the same question and getting the same answer and not being happy with it!!!! Ground Control's WILL work with Koni's....One reason is that Koni is the leading manufacturer of sport and race shocks/struts in the world (I think) and I think they know what their doing.....And I mean think about it.....Why would GC sell Koni's for every kit they sell (optional) if they did not work with them......In closing...YES they will work with GC's the rebound will not be to much for these...You will be fine......I think Rob will agree with me..... Naz...Sorry man....Its just that I would like you to refrain from posting the same question over and over to prevent crowding....It makes my job a lot easier...Thanks... focal luv drew fok ------------------ FocaljetTEAM:NorCal/CD Silver ZX3/5 Speed/KKM Intake/Esslinger Underdrive Pulley/Ground-Control Coilovers/Focal Center Caps/50% Tint,14% Mirror/Euro Grilles/Custom Exhaust/B&M Shifter Best ET-15.97@88 MPH '98 SVT Contour,Fully Loaded It's not mine,it's Y2K's Catch Me On AIM - focusownerskid Focaljet Stands Alone!!!!!

02-28-2001, 12:47 AM	#5
P-51 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Brighton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 14,940	Re: mismatched koni settings? The results would be understeer or oversteer. I suggest setting the rears to the middle to start. Then play with the front until you get your under/oversteer to where you're comfortable with it.

02-28-2001, 12:52 AM	#6
nazthug [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: san ramon, ca, usa Posts: 14,215	Re: mismatched koni settings? yayaya,,,my focus can beat your focus oh, by the way, will those konis work with my groundcontrols or not? Will they work?Will they work? Will they work? Will they work? Will they work? Will they work? Just tryina spend my money in the right places, and i AM a very carefull person, look how long it took me to get my rims, and i hope i dont regret getting them instead of the rim2000, those are dope, look kinda like the ones on the rally zx3. hmm

02-26-2001, 05:20 PM	#1
henrich TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: LA, CA Posts: 169	mismatched koni settings? What effect would different settings for the front and rear koni's have on the suspension? Not having the rears be easily adjustable is going to cause most folks to just install them at some best-guess setting and leave them alone, but still want to adjust the fronts from time to time. What results could one expect? ------------------ 2k1 Yellow ZX3 18x7.5 ASA JS5's, 215/35ZR18 Parada's Ice-Man Intake, Thermal R&D Exhaust

02-28-2001, 10:10 AM	#7
P-51 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Brighton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 14,940	Re: mismatched koni settings? FOK, I agree with you 100%. First off, from now on I'm not responding to Nazthug. It's like speaking to a wall or something. I think I've answered that question 4 times already, and not once has he told me who is feeding him false information. Second, I don't know if Koni is #1, but they are certainly a leader, and probably the most popular in the US. Almost everybody I know in the NA who races uses Konis. There are some that are better. Carrera for example. But these are professional level racing shocks. I think Koni is the most popular for regional, or grassroots level racing.

02-28-2001, 03:22 PM	#8
fast_focus_1 Moderator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 2,803	Re: mismatched koni settings? I can appreciate all of the responses to the same questions, but I have not seen on this thread or any of the other ones that I have read the question of wether or not the rears have to be off of the vehicle to adjust them? Any help to me on this is appreciated ------------------ 2000 SE Sony Limited Edition w/Esslinger UDP, AEM UDP, AEM intake, Borla Exhaust, JBA header, Hella Headlight Conversion, Progress Springs, Eibach sways f/r, energy suspension bushings, 17 ICW's, FS Strut brace, FS wires

03-06-2001, 01:33 PM	#9
henrich TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: LA, CA Posts: 169	Re: mismatched koni settings? Okay, so if mismatching them causes understeer/oversteer. In which way? I.e. if the rears are at medium and the fronts full soft, do I get more oversteer or understeer? ------------------ 2k1 Yellow ZX3 18x7.5 ASA JS5's, 215/35ZR18 Parada's Ice-Man Intake, Thermal R&D Exhaust

03-06-2001, 02:11 PM	#10
Chris F Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,957	Re: mismatched koni settings? <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by henrich: Okay, so if mismatching them causes understeer/oversteer. In which way? I.e. if the rears are at medium and the fronts full soft, do I get more oversteer or understeer? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Im pretty sure that having the rears stiffer then the fronts will lean you towards oversteer. Vice versa the fronts stiffer then the rears will put you towards understeer. Anticipating your next question is "why run them stiff at all then?" the answer is because you want the suspension to absorb as much of the lateral load transfer as possible when turning and the stiffer they are the more they absorb. Thats my basic understanding of how it works anyhow. ------------------ Chris Feist Black 00' ZX3 5spd Mods Dyno Chart

03-07-2001, 11:58 AM	#11
BLKZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Diego, CA USA Posts: 205	Re: mismatched koni settings? I have the rears on the first setting and I couldn't imagine them any stiffer. I did the full setting on the front and it was really fun. The brakes become REALLY touchy as I was used to a little front end dive. Not then. And on excel, there's no front end lift. And the passengers better be holding on to the grab handles because turn in is so quick it's head smacking time. On the street, the ride sucks as there's no travel. It feels like a go kart.

03-08-2001, 01:09 PM	#12
JMcQueen Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Grimsby, England, UK Posts: 1,656	Re: mismatched koni settings? This talk of settings is confusing me somewhat. I have konis on my car and they adjust by turning the white knob. Theres no positive 'click' to indicate a move from one setting to another. It turns through 720 degrees from min to max and you just gauge the setting you require from this i.e 0o soft 360o Medium 720o Firm. Are the US Konis different? ------------------ 1.8 Focus Zetec (UK) Pacific Green Lockwood white dials Momo gear knob Koni shocks Eibach springs

03-08-2001, 09:14 PM	#13
focusownerskid Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroe, MI Posts: 15,407	Re: mismatched koni settings? What they are talking about is,how will having different settings front and rear affect handling....Not how to adjust the fronts...Although I would like this Q answered by someone of expertise....(P-51 ) How do you adjust the rears....Do yuo actually take them off the car....Explain someone please.. drew fok

03-09-2001, 10:07 AM	#14
P-51 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Brighton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 14,940	Re: mismatched koni settings? I thought this was answered already by CTB... Setting the rears stiffer will give you more oversteer. Setting the fronts stiffer will give you more understeer. I can't answer the questions about phyically adjusting the shocks... as I don't have a set yet.

03-09-2001, 11:46 AM	#15
focusownerskid Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroe, MI Posts: 15,407	Re: mismatched koni settings? Oh no...It wasnt me asking I was answering a Q,asked by JMcQueen.....I just wanted to know what goes into adjusting the rears...I realize how different settings will affect handling.. drew fok

03-09-2001, 05:55 PM	#16
JMcQueen Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Grimsby, England, UK Posts: 1,656	Re: mismatched koni settings? I think you misunderstood what I was asking. The way other members have described altering their settings it sounds as if there is some way of differentiating between one setting and another e.g. a 'click' or 'notch'. With mine you can only turn the adjustment through 2 full turns so you have to estimate you setting based on this i.e. one turn medium, 2 turns full stiff. Do the US dampers have the same method or something different?. If I had a better understanding of how people differentiate between, say, the first and second settings I would be able to comment on my settings. ------------------ 1.8 Focus Zetec (UK) Pacific Green Lockwood white dials Momo gear knob Koni shocks Eibach springs [This message has been edited by JMcQueen (edited 03-10-2001).]

03-10-2001, 03:49 AM	#17
focusownerskid Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Monroe, MI Posts: 15,407	Re: mismatched koni settings? Oh sorry..Yes I must have misunderstood....We do not have these shocks/struts as of yet,so I can not comment on the operation of them... drew fok

03-10-2001, 07:37 AM	#18
vavenom TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: va beach Posts: 673	Re: mismatched koni settings? I can there is no set detent on front, they are just like yours, The rears have to have the bottom shock mount removed to adjust but they do not have to be removed from the car and they adjust the same as the fronts by turning each one equal degrees. ------------------ 01 silver ZX3, Intrax 3 inch drop springs, Koni shocks, Vibrant cat back with dual DTM tip, FS flex pipe, B&M shifter w/carbon fiber knob, clear corner lites, platinum window tint, eibach sway bars, poly bushings, FS 8mm plugwires, Esslinger intake cam, cam gears and UDP on the way: Esslinger CAI, RS rear spoiler When in doubt, gas it!

03-12-2001, 09:38 AM	#19
JMcQueen Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Grimsby, England, UK Posts: 1,656	Re: mismatched koni settings? Thanks Vavenom I was starting to thin kI had been sold B stock or something. I tend to keep mine around the 360o mark (mid setting) Ive tried the fronts on full firm and found the car to be jittery. The rears are too much hassle to adjust so I leave them mid setting too.

03-13-2001, 03:40 AM	#20
speedy_zx3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: (Trev) Sacramento, California Posts: 4,090	Re: mismatched koni settings? I could save you guys heaps of trouble. I don't know how they would sit in a focus (read - stiffness), but a buddy of mine has some kyb 4-way adjustables on his 91 civic hb and he says that on the lowest setting they are stiffer than hell. he's got them matched to h&r race springs too. now, I've seen those struts and they have numbers (1-2-3-4) to adjust where you want the setting. and it's as easy as a flat-head screwdriver to adjust them. the only thing is, I've asked him about the focus, and apparently they haven't made them yet. damn. ------------------ " I said to Hollywood, 'Where'd he go?' and Hollywood was like, 'Where'd who goooooo?' " ------------------ '01 Twilight Blue ZX3 5-spd w/ Power/Premium options NOW:JBA Header, Esslinger UDP (blue) LATER:AEM CAI, Spark Plug Wires, H&R Sport springs, KYB 4-way adjustable struts, Eibach anti-sway bar kit, MBRP exhaust, 17" ICW GT Sport rims w/ BFG Euro T/A's

03-14-2001, 11:12 AM	#21
BLKZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: San Diego, CA USA Posts: 205	Re: mismatched koni settings? The first setting front and rear is PLENTY stiff for the daily commute. I'm still getting used to it. But, when loaded, the ride is AWESOME!! I tried full front and it bounced over every bump in the road. The handling was amazing and there was ZERO front end lift. But, IMHO, for track only.

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