Aftermarket Shocks

[Tacmedic]

My '96 SHO has 106,000 mi on the original shocks and I would like to replace them with something other than the SARC units. I have looked around quite a bit and cannot find anything. I thought that I read here that Koni made a shock for the '99 that will fit '96-'99 models but have not been able to locate anything. Does anyone have a part # for a Koni or any other quality aftermarket strut? Thanks in advance -Tacmedic

 

[Porkchop]

Tac, Im not sure about the effects of not having a SARC strut in there with the VAPS system..but anyway.

I have KYB GR-2's on mine, along with the Roush springs, they are 51 for the front and 71 for the rears on www.tirerack.com. Its not a Koni, but its still pretty good.

Good luck!

 

[SHOZ123]

I think the SARC stuts with the ride height sensors disabled are a good performace strut. Try to bounce your car with the igniton off. I bet you can't.

 

[zak]

I have heard that the earlier 89 to 95 struts and springs do fit in the rear (not the fronts though). You could get some 1992 housings and put Konis in them, or get some 89 to 95 Tokikos for the back.

I thought the 1999 models did not come with SARC?

zak

 

[Tacmedic]

Wheelen, I went to "Tire Rack" and a search for both '96 and '99 models yealded no results. Do you have the part numbers on those struts and springs? I keep running into dead ends. Also, what is the VAPS system? Zak, The 99 models don't have the SARC system. That is why I was hoping to find an aftermarket for that model year. I have read that they will fit a '96. Thanks again! -Tacmedic

 

[SHOZ123]

Here's the Gen 2 and gen 3 struts side by side.

 

[fuller911]

It looks from Whelen1's pictures that he has a regular Tortoise and not a SHO. They have a different strut.

This question has come up several times before. With all the intelligent people in the SHO community, why is it that no one can fabricate something to accomodate different struts? Yank out the torch, welder, grinder and give er' ****.

 

[Porkchop]

Fuller, you are correct...

Tac: VAPS is Variable Assist Power Steering, its tied into the SARC system, so when you turn it on the full hard mode, it cuts the amount of power steering, also it changes the amount by the speed you are going.

 

[Tacmedic]

I don't think aftermarket struts would affect the VAPS as long as you left the fuse up front connected. Whellen, You said that you had KYB's. Do you have any part numbers? Did you have to modify anything? Where did you get them, (Tire rack shows no listing). Can anybody help? This is killing me here. eek!

 

[Porkchop]

Hey Tac sorry about the suspense. Fuller is right I do own a regular Taurus (SLO) so there was no modification for me. when you go to www.tirerack.com search for suspension components for 96 SLO, you have to read between the lines a bit cause they show a shock, but its for struts.. I can't get part numbers off TR. If you have any more problems feel free to contact me off forum

 

[Tacmedic]

Does anybody have aftermarket struts on their SHO?

 

[SHODWN]

There are no aftermarket struts for the SHO to this date, KYB's will fit but are made for the LOVE BOAT ride the SLO gives.

Go to 99 non Sarc struts, but the SARC;s are still the best

 

[SHOZ123]

Killing the ride height sensors either by unplugging them or switching the sensor ground at the SARC module in the trunk will eliminate the active struts but keep the VAPS wqorking. SARC stuts in full hard are all the performance strut you need.

If your SARC struts are worn out, you will have a too soft ride all the time. Disconnecting the sensor will give them a longer life at this point.

<small>[ September 16, 2002, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: SHOZ123 ]</small>

 

[RoadWarrior]

Umm...I was perusing sachs/boge catalog and seems they might have a replacement to the factory shock for you genIII sarc guys.

here are the part numbers for em (per the Sachs Supergas Strut Catalog)
front left 030 048
front right 030 047
rear left 030 050
rear right 030 049

Hope this helps.
RW