Best suited Shocks?

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Frog2Spider
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Your car is a: 1981 2000 Spider
Location: Vancouver, Washington

Best suited Shocks?

Postby Frog2Spider » Fri Apr 01, 2016 2:28 pm

It's time to put some new shocks on my '81 Spider.

No plans for a rally, I want to keep a nice ride with good 'fun driving' road handling.

Any suggestions or recommendations on shock brand and models?

Thanks,
Dave.
Always looking for curves under blue skies!
Frog2Spider

'81 - 2000 Spider

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lglade
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Your car is a: 1984 Pininfarina
Location: Mukilteo, WA

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby lglade » Fri Apr 01, 2016 4:36 pm

I put Konis on my 1984 and have been very pleased with them.
Lloyd Glade- Mukilteo, WA
1984 Pininfarina Spider Azzurra
1962 Fiat 500D - wife's car
2015 Subaru Outback
2017 Ford Focus RS

Frog2Spider
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Your car is a: 1981 2000 Spider
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Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby Frog2Spider » Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:47 pm

Thanks Iglade,
They are likely the best for a 'performance' application, but I'm concerned that they may be stiffer than what I'd want. I've put 195 and 205/50's on the car, which made the ride harder, having less rubber between the wheel and the pavement, and while I realize that a stiff shock is the best for handling, I don't want to make the ride any firmer than it is now.
I'm 'leaning' towards more of a stock shock, but still open to suggestions.
Dave.
Always looking for curves under blue skies!
Frog2Spider

'81 - 2000 Spider

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njoconnor
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Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby njoconnor » Sun Apr 03, 2016 7:41 am

When i re-did the suspension on my 72, I used progressive springs from A/R and Koni yellows on "full soft". Acid test was some washboard on one of our local county trunks; went over that so smoothly my spouse was flat out amazed (and she prefers comfortable ride to handling). Took it on some back roads on a couple of my long distance work days, and had no troubles exiting all the S turns on Highway 60 (along the Wisconsin River) at higher speeds than when entering.... :D . Koni's are pricey, no argument. I believe I've got an excellent balance of ride and handling now.

Neil
Neil O'Connor
Madison, WI
72 FIAT 124 Spider
12 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
14 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Eco-Diesel
ex-71 FIAT 124 Coupe
and a host of Audi's, Saabs, VW's, MOPAR's, Fords, and a Bimmer....

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Redline
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Your car is a: formerly a 1971 Fiat 124 BC Coupe
Location: Switzerland

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby Redline » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:47 am

Probably not an option in the US, but I really like the Spax adjustables I have. Unlike Konis, you adjust them with a little click wheel on each, so no need to remove them. I run them in the softer third most of the time, and they're very good. Body motion is well controlled and they just suck up the worst compressions and humpback bridges in a way that is potentially hazardous, as it's a giggle to keep trying it day after day with a bit more, shall we say, gusto. I love a good damper that just goes "Schwuppp!" and feels like it's almost proactive, rather than reactive, on mid-corner bumps.
http://www.124bc.com
La Dolce Vita: Joy and frustration at the speed of smoke

narfire
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Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby narfire » Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:52 am

I love my Koni yellows. I have the 205/15's with IAP Red springs. Car lowered nicely and I find the ride and handling just great now. Had the KYB's before but the extra loot for the Koni's are worth it in my opinion.
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box

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phaetn
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Your car is a: 1974 Fiat Spider 1800
Location: Ottawa, ON Canada

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby phaetn » Fri Apr 08, 2016 8:34 am

I tried to get a good deal on some Koni yellows on E-bay. I had the high bid for a couple of days and thought I could actually get a set of for for $75: http://www.ebay.com/itm/201552780851?item=201552780851

I kept my eye on it and a slow computer at work hindered my winning a bidding war that suddenly occurred within one minute of closing. It was disappointing. They eventually went for pennies shy of $200, which is still a good deal for the four dampers if they are in good shape.

Guess I will have to work on getting new ones...

Cheers,
phaetn

jandarah
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Joined: Thu Apr 30, 2015 1:52 am
Your car is a: 1977 124 Spider
Location: Mount Hallen, Queensland, Australia

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby jandarah » Fri Apr 08, 2016 5:50 pm

Koni yellows, feel good on smooth and bumpy roads. Plus, I believe they performed well at my recent sprinting effort.
John in Oz
First Fiat: 1970 124 sedan 1970 - 1976
Then horse float towing vehicles up to present.
Current Fiat: 1977 124 Spider 1756cc with twin Weber 40 IDF's
1970 124BC coupe; 1756cc with twin Weber 40 IDF's, used for sprinting

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v6spider
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Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby v6spider » Fri Apr 08, 2016 6:27 pm

Kyb gas adjustable shocks are awesome.. You can dial in how much dampening you desire as there is a knob at the top of the shock.

Cheers!
Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider

Frog2Spider
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Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby Frog2Spider » Fri Apr 15, 2016 1:45 pm

Thanks for all the in-put !

Koni Yellow, it is. I sure hope they are worth the coin! Those suckers are expensive!!!

Dave.
Always looking for curves under blue skies!
Frog2Spider

'81 - 2000 Spider

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argonaut
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Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Long Beach, CA

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby argonaut » Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:01 am

At $15 each on rockauto the KYB GR-2 dampers aren't bad. I put them on with the Autoricambi lowering springs and it rides very cushy. So far it has decent enough rebound control to not raise too many hairs in spirited mountain twisty driving when transitioning out of one turn and into another. I would prefer Kunis but at 10x the price I can buy them later after a big Brake upgrade.
Jason M.

1964 Chevy K20 Suburban
1966 Chevy K20 Pickup
1981 Fiat Spider 2000
1996 Ford Bronco Supercharged
2008 Honda CBR1000RR
2005 Honda RC51
1981 Honda CB750C

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chrisg
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Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby chrisg » Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:01 pm

How difficult would it be to source Spax for the US? I've always loved Konis on 124s and generally I've been quite content with Yellow "sport" Konis set on full soft for 'normal' use, but i've always heard good stuff about Spax...
Chris Granju
Knoxville, TN
'71 FIAT 124BS (pretty), '72 FIAT 124BC,'76 FIAT 128 Wagon(ratbeast), '85 Bertone X 1/9, '70 124BC (project), 79 X1/9 (hot rod in rehab), '73 124BS (2L, mean), '74 124 Special TC, '73 124CS, '73 124 Familiare

DieselSpider
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Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby DieselSpider » Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:42 pm

chrisg wrote:How difficult would it be to source Spax for the US? I've always loved Konis on 124s and generally I've been quite content with Yellow "sport" Konis set on full soft for 'normal' use, but i've always heard good stuff about Spax...


I contacted the Spax distributor in Florida a while ago and while they're primary focus is British Cars they would be happy to provide Spax Shocks to 124 Spider owners.

BAT (British American Transfer) is the Spax distributor in Sarasota, Florida. Below is the response I received in August of 2015 about Spax shocks for my 1978 124 Spider:

Spax Shocks for Fiat 124

Fronts G596 $149.15 each
Rears G609 $156.60 each

Delivery 2-3 weeks special order as pre-pay no refunds or exchange.

Regards,

Eric Weller
BAT Inc. / MOCAL USA
941.355.0005
sales@batinc.net

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Redline
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Your car is a: formerly a 1971 Fiat 124 BC Coupe
Location: Switzerland

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby Redline » Wed Apr 27, 2016 6:18 am

BAT is still around? Cool! I spent way, waaaaay too much money with them trying to make my Fiesta a lot quicker back in the 80s.
http://www.124bc.com
La Dolce Vita: Joy and frustration at the speed of smoke

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chrisg
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Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:30 am
Your car is a: 1971 FIAT

Re: Best suited Shocks?

Postby chrisg » Wed Apr 27, 2016 10:22 am

interesting...certainly spendier than Konis. I guess I need to visit my friend Google, but offhand Spax are oil not gas, yes?
Chris Granju
Knoxville, TN
'71 FIAT 124BS (pretty), '72 FIAT 124BC,'76 FIAT 128 Wagon(ratbeast), '85 Bertone X 1/9, '70 124BC (project), 79 X1/9 (hot rod in rehab), '73 124BS (2L, mean), '74 124 Special TC, '73 124CS, '73 124 Familiare


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