Anybody have experience with these? I'm very much in need of suspension replacement, and for some reason I am fixated on Konis. I inquired with Koni North America and a very helpful rep named Mason mentioned that they get 1 or 2 requests a year for the SHO strut insert (8641-1287 sport) which is far below what would be needed for a new batch. He recommended these 8610s, and based on specs he sent, they are stiff as ****, even at full soft. I'd likely have to start running softer, high profile tires to take some of the occasional impulse load off the frame. Heavy braking and cornering at the track are one thing, but potholes, gutters and speed bumps are another. As the sport model listed above was good for the Gen 2 and 3, I'd expect that if this racing strut fit in a Gen 2, it would also work in a Gen 3.
8610-1437 racing Konis
- Thread starter 98SF19
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How many are needed to get a batch made?
Didn't ask. You want me to PM you his info? As futile as it might be, I'd be willing to throw in a (refundable) deposit. Worse case scenario the guy says no (again). The good thing is that the SHO front strut Konis are good for Gens 1-3, so there's a larger pool of potential takers.
shobote
SHO Member
Koni is great stuff; had Koni Red's on Datsun 240z and Supra. I now have Koni FSD's on my Jeep Grand Cherokee and they are exceptionally smooth and handle great. ...took off Bilsteins, which were way too rough and bouncy. For a DD I would never get those race Koni's, the SHO will turn into a rattle trap in no time. I only ran the Reds at full stiff at the track, never on the street since the ride is like a buckboard. Those race versions will be great on track but forget it for street use.
shoray
SHO Member
I'm in on this too. Nothing would make me happier than some Konis up front. I still have the front suspension too 
. Let us know if anyone finds anything else out.
. Let us know if anyone finds anything else out.
NCSHOracer
Fear The Rasp!
Interested also, please message the Koni person.
I'll ask the guy tomorrow exactly how many requests would need to be made for them to consider a new run of the 8641-1287 sport struts. I expect it'll be at least 100, which we won't get. If it's less than 50, I'll put a message in the Gen 1/2 and 3 forums, as well as the group buy forum. From what I've seen of group buys, even getting 15 or 20 commits isn't easy. But then, these struts are a much bigger upgrade than most group buys I've seen.
shoray
SHO Member
I'd be willing to petition for them lol. That would be amazing. We have no good options for performance struts anymore. The car is too fun to drive for it to feel like a marshmallow.
Hmmm . . . heard back today . . .
He's saying that the number would be based on discussion between a dealer interested in purchasing the production run and the Koni sales staff. His estimate was that it would require the purchase of 50-100 FULL CAR SETS, which doesn't make sense to me as the fronts and rears for the Gen 1/2 are different models. Maybe that's their SOP, but I don't think we'd be able to get even 50 SHO owners, from all three gens, interested in just the fronts, much less committing to full sets.
Perhaps our representatives from Shosource, FPS, and NESHO would be willing to join forces and spearhead a group buy.
Does Torrie mess around with Gens 1-3?
Where there's a will . . .
He's saying that the number would be based on discussion between a dealer interested in purchasing the production run and the Koni sales staff. His estimate was that it would require the purchase of 50-100 FULL CAR SETS, which doesn't make sense to me as the fronts and rears for the Gen 1/2 are different models. Maybe that's their SOP, but I don't think we'd be able to get even 50 SHO owners, from all three gens, interested in just the fronts, much less committing to full sets.
Perhaps our representatives from Shosource, FPS, and NESHO would be willing to join forces and spearhead a group buy.
Does Torrie mess around with Gens 1-3?Where there's a will . . .
shoray
SHO Member
I'm sure it would be expensive but we gotta do it!
One set is all we would need. There is the short body and long body but they will fit across all generations. If we just do the short bodies for the rear it will work accross all 3 generations.
shoray
SHO Member
Good those long bodies are a ridiculous pain anyway.
NCSHOracer
Fear The Rasp!
Since I no longer have stock strut housings anymore, would I be able to use regular Taurus housings with Konis??
The housings are the same for SHO and SLO.
NCSHOracer
Fear The Rasp!
Thanks.
I was hoping we could bring back some options to a more sporty suspension over sensa-tracs.
shoray
SHO Member
Well if we can't, If the process to install them is the same as the old ones I am willing to give the 8610s a try. It'll be a month or two but I'm curious either way. Tokicos in the rear with B&G springs and adjustable end links made my car handle so much more confidently. I'd love to get something solid upfront to really put it through its paces. Maybe we can find out compression and dampening rates for the old ones and these ones?
I can probably get Ground Control to make another small run of budget coil overs....
We'd probably have to do 15-20 sets and they'd have to pre sale b4 they'd make them......
I'd be calling in a personal favor but I don't mind,I'd like a set of budget coil overs for my budget 90s Taurus POS
We'd probably have to do 15-20 sets and they'd have to pre sale b4 they'd make them......
I'd be calling in a personal favor but I don't mind,I'd like a set of budget coil overs for my budget 90s Taurus POS
You mean what we offer here: http://www.shosource.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=61_3_59&products_id=693
We are finalizing the details on our full coilover kits here within a couple weeks: http://www.shosource.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=61_3_59&products_id=428
We are finalizing the details on our full coilover kits here within a couple weeks: http://www.shosource.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=61_3_59&products_id=428
I don't see Ground Controls???? At least you haven't listed them as such....I see your offering but after talking with my guy at GC,they could put us kits together that run about half as much($300ish for parts/springs to convert all 4 shocks) so I'm not sure you are talking about the same vendor(Ground Control in PA)
On rant,LoudSho, please fix all the dead links on your site,the search function,and a better break down of what u are actually buying would be GREAT.
Everytime I go on your site wanting to purchase something,I end up having to reference it(since u usually don't list the maker),and then end up buying it else where.....but I'd much rather buy from you!!off rant.
Also,I would think budget parts would sell more than $$$ one.
I will never spend $1500+ for shocks on a car that KBB value pegs at $2800.....and that's for a super low Mint car(which there are probably less than 100 SHO's left in that condition)
On rant,LoudSho, please fix all the dead links on your site,the search function,and a better break down of what u are actually buying would be GREAT.
Everytime I go on your site wanting to purchase something,I end up having to reference it(since u usually don't list the maker),and then end up buying it else where.....but I'd much rather buy from you!!off rant.
Also,I would think budget parts would sell more than $$$ one.
I will never spend $1500+ for shocks on a car that KBB value pegs at $2800.....and that's for a super low Mint car(which there are probably less than 100 SHO's left in that condition)
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