Choice

[Goldenpony]

I am going to be replacing my struts & shocks sometime soon. I'm looking for opinions. I am looking at either Koni SRT.T or Bilstein HD. I do not race my '06 GT 'Vert, I just want to improve the handing somewhat. I do not want adjustable shocks. Both shocks look like a good choice to me. The price difference between them doesn't bother me. Any opinions?

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[pizzadish]

I put ford racing struts, shocks and springs on my 06 gt. Lowered it an inch and a half and this thing is glued to the road. Out handles anything I've driven before and I've had alot of hod rods.

[socalwrench]

If you're going to keep the stock spring rates, there's really no need for a stiffer damper to begin with. However, because the factory GT dampers are horrible- swapping them out will give you a noticeable improvement.

Here are a few choices:

Non-adj.:
-SVT (GT500) (black)
-Tokico HP (blue)
-Eibach Pro (also black)
-Ford Racing (also blue)
-Koni SRT (orange)

Adj.:
-Tokico D-specs (black)
-Koni Adj. (yellow)

[RodeoFlyer]

Originally Posted by socalwrench

If you're going to keep the stock spring rates, there's really no need for a stiffer damper to begin with. However, because the factory GT dampers are horrible- swapping them out will give you a noticeable improvement.

Huh? That statement contradicts itself.

Goldenpony -

The search funtion is your friend, as this subject has been covered extensively. It's also a good idea to title a new thread in a manner that tells people what you want to talk about. Some of us look at them all for the hell of it, but most only enter threads they feel they have or need input on.

My experience with the Bilsteins with factory springs and lowering springs has been great, as Bilstein makes good stuff. I don't know about the Koni SRT, but their reputation tends to speak for itself as well. Strano might chime in, but then there's that thread title issue.....

[Blair]

The Bilsteins are high pressure inverted monotube shocks while the Koni's are twin tubes. Here are some good atricles discussing the difference between the two, albeit from an import mag:

Twin tubes
http://www.modified.com/tech/0605_sc...5/dampers.html

Monotubes
http://www.modified.com/tech/0607_sc...t_6/index.html

Considering the price difference, I'd go for the Konis.

[Garyalpusa]

Dont know why your not considering adjustables? That way you can tune the shock for the spring you are using? If you do not buy a "system", ie matched parts, the chances of getting the ride you want is hit or miss. GA

[Sam Strano]

I sell both Bilstein and Koni.

I do think the Koni's are much better value. Haven't had one unhappy customer on STR.T's yet, and they are certainly not as expensive as Bilstein's are. I also opt for Koni Sports over Bilstein because when you are in the HD price range, why not have adjustment?

I know all about the mono vs twin tube thing. And honestly there are times it can matter, but not here. A well valved twin-tube is superior to a poorly valved mono-tube. All else being equal, yes a mono-tube is "better" because it's got a bigger piston. But here all else isn't equal. I personally feel the Bilstein's lack rebound damping--at least for my tastes.

And fwiw, there are an awful lot of cars like a whole lot of Porsche's, BMW's, etc, that really work quite well with lowly twin-tubes.... I am looking at changing on the race car to a set of high-dollar mono-tubes. And when I say high dollar I mean $2k+ and I'm only considering it for one reason: There are two sites I run every year that have very abrupt impacts (one is frost heaves, one is between concrete blocks). I can count on one hand the times this year the car was upset by certain impacts... but considering the one site is where we run Nationals, and that's a game of thousandths of a second at times--it matters. Now if you aren't looking for that level of damping, and it seems you are not then this largely is a moot point.

I have twin-tubes on all my cars right now (and in one case they replaced a set of Bilstien mono-tubes). I don't regret it, and fwiw when customers come by to take rides and see what's what they never leave disappointed. In fact they leave shocked that cars with that much more spring, or damping ride so much better than stock.... FWIW.

[wilkinda]

I recently lowered my 2010 Mustang GT using the FRPP M-5300-K springs. I love the way it looks but the ride is very harsh. Stock this thing rode like a dream but looked like a 4x4.

I have thought about going with adjustable shocks and struts and trying to decide what is best. Suggestions are welcome!!

[Sam Strano]

STR.T's, Koni Sports, Bilstein and D-specs are all good options. STR.T's are the least costly, Sports are the most expensive. Koni has the best warranty in my experience. Bilstein is second most expensive, not adjustable, great quality though. D-specs are in between STR.T and Bilstein on price, adjustable but in a coarse way--and Tokico's warranty service, well.... usually sucks.

FWIW, unlike a lot of other places that only carry one or two brands--I have all 4 (and others too, like Tokico Blues for instance).

[wilkinda]

Originally Posted by Sam Strano

STR.T's, Koni Sports, Bilstein and D-specs are all good options. STR.T's are the least costly, Sports are the most expensive. Koni has the best warranty in my experience. Bilstein is second most expensive, not adjustable, great quality though. D-specs are in between STR.T and Bilstein on price, adjustable but in a coarse way--and Tokico's warranty service, well.... usually sucks.

FWIW, unlike a lot of other places that only carry one or two brands--I have all 4 (and others too, like Tokico Blues for instance).

Which would you recommend? My car will be mostly driven on highways but the mustang group i travel with tend to get spirited on the back-roads on our cruises and I have been thinking about taking her to the track to see what she can do... So I want adjustability to get ride and handling for all around driving