stiffer rear shocks

Want some new struts? What brand springs to buy? How much camber to run? What brake pads? What's the best setup for your situation....
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woody90gtz
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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by woody90gtz »

3X00-Modified wrote:I'm still contemplating doing this, but I have MUCH cheaper options to reducing my squat off the line since the Koni's are rebound only for adjustment, not compression.
Like a piece of solid round tubing for no compression... haha


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by 3X00-Modified »

No, spring helpers... only $10 and WAY less effort to install at the strip.


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by Kyle Anderson »

It's pretty easy to adapt shocks from a different model. Find something that's close in length, then work with the mounting. The shaft will either be 10mm or 12mm. As Jon said, Beretta mounts are 10mm. It's easy enough to drill the sleeve a little larger (I've done it), if the new shocks are 12mm... very few companies make 12mm shafts, but Bilstein is one of them. Just take it slow drilling so the sleeve doesn't rotate and separate from the rubber. For the bottom, you may need a different size sleeve there as well. Cut out the old one, which will be surrounded in rubber. Many suspension bushings can be cut to fit after you find one with the right size metal sleeve. Control arm bushings are a good place to look... the parts guy will hate you, but chances are you'll find something. Cut it down so that the rubber is a little larger than the hole, then use a vice, clamp, or press to push it in. Another option is to get a metal sleeve then use window weld to fill the gap. I did something similar to this for a set of shocks.


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by Alxsmt »

konis are worth every penny. I just had to drill out the top shock mount like everyone is saying, bottom bolts up. set on full soft they are at least 2x stiffer than kybs. full stiff and you would be lucky if you can get the car to move jumping on the bumper.

I believe modified is correct about what saab shocks to use. I can never rember. I can dig up my reciept if you want to be sure

it adjusts compression and rebound equally


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88 Beretta CL - your average grandma car.. Ls1 swap in progress
77 Celica - needs an engine swap
96 Geo - 1.0L, Cam, 3 angle, magnaflow, Koni, coilovers.
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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by ErichZ26 »

Kris GTwhat? wrote:you fools. use saab rears. the bilsteins are a HUGE upgrade over the gas-a-justs. except they run about a hundred a piece. and you can also use koni adjustables but from what i've heard the bilsteins are stiffer
Koni's can be adjusted very stiff.


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by Alxsmt »

yeah stiff isnt always the best performance. Mine arnt even adjusted half way up..


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88 Beretta CL - your average grandma car.. Ls1 swap in progress
77 Celica - needs an engine swap
96 Geo - 1.0L, Cam, 3 angle, magnaflow, Koni, coilovers.
86 Subi - Supercharged @7psi
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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by 3X00-Modified »

Alxsmt wrote:it adjusts compression and rebound equally
I was told differently...

Maybe its time to get a set this winter... I do have a bad set of KYB's that I could cut up for the front struts and do all 4 corners at once.

Alxsmt Please find that receipt if you can. Get part numbers and I'll PIN them in here.

I found PN# 8040-1057 SPORT for Saab 9000 95-98 for the rear adjustables. Please verify this for me.

One other question I have is what is the extended length? I know I put the wrong shocks on my 95 once, they were for a 94 and they were too long compared to the 95, so when you put the car on a lift or jacked it up by the body the axle would drop far enough for the springs to fall out. I just want to make sure that these would be the proper length for 95+ as well as the 94 and older rear axle, and not end up being too long.


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by 3X00-Modified »

Ok, this is why PN's need to be verified...

Koni says this about their shocks.
Yellow Shock Absorber
External Adjustable Rebound Damping
this is on the 8041-1191 shock that J-body guys have used...

Saab 9000 shocks are 8040-1057 and those do not have the same quote.


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by Alxsmt »

Ill try and dig up my reciept tomorrow. the length isnt too long for mine, not a clue about the newer setup. not even sure what it looks like lol. Struts are fine too, It seems like you can use inserts for an eclipse that are longer. just dont use KYB strut mounts, I was told mine (new) were bad when I was getting an alignment after the swap.. they are noisy..

I swear I read or was told it adjusted compression and rebound equally. Ill try and see what I can find to confirm that. just emailed koni. I know turning the knob changes the stiffness when you jump on the car (maybe I have compression and rebound mixed up?)


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88 Beretta CL - your average grandma car.. Ls1 swap in progress
77 Celica - needs an engine swap
96 Geo - 1.0L, Cam, 3 angle, magnaflow, Koni, coilovers.
86 Subi - Supercharged @7psi
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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by Kyle Anderson »

Single adjustable Konis adjust rebound only. It's in a tech article on the website.


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by michi »

Thanks guys. Guess i will look for koni's then. The car seems to be pretty nervous on the rear(bodyroll), especially at higher speeds (60mph+), i noticed this on mountain roads too and i dont like that. Still have to install the rear swaybar though but the rear isnt that stiff as i thought it will be.


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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by woody90gtz »

A big rear swaybar makes a huge difference with these cars.


91 "SS" - WOT 3400/5spd - 13.29@101.6 - World's fastest N/A FWD Beretta
96 "T56" LS/6spd/8.8 RWD swap - 13.45@104.7 lol
GEARHEAD dezign youtube
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Re: stiffer rear shocks

Post by 3X00-Modified »

woody90gtz wrote:A big rear swaybar makes a huge difference with these cars.
x2!


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