Initial Shock Setting Recommendation for Koni's on an EM

[keitho64]

Good afternoon,

I purchased the Koni shocks from Clark’s for my 64.

From the instructions:
Full counterclockwise if full soft
Full clockwise is full firm
The instructions state there is 2 1/4 turns for adjustment

I am looking for more handling vs comfort. I figured I would start at the middle of the road setting but would love to hear what others running Koni's use for their settings.

For those of you who have an EM with Koni’s, where would you suggest is a good place to start with the shock settings on the front and rear?

Pictures, just because :-)

[drive_slow_look_fast]

I have Konis on my LM and I was advised to go full soft in front and half in back for a baseline. I liked mine there and left it that way.

[keitho64]

I have Konis on my LM and I was advised to go full soft in front and half in back for a baseline. I liked mine there and left it that way.

Thanks Daniel!

[66vairguy]

I have Konis on my LM and I was advised to go full soft in front and half in back for a baseline. I liked mine there and left it that way.

Good advice.
Koni's tend to provide more damping control without being too firm. I find a good test is a parking lot speed bump, the small ones that jolts the car. If the front or rear bounces too many times after crossing the bump then maybe too soft. If the crossing the bump is jarring, then maybe too firm.

As far a "better handling" goes sway bars and spring rates control roll. Shocks absorbers really dampen wheel motion so wheels don't bounce around on washboard pavement and it keeps the car from "porpoising" as you accelerate/brake, or go into corners with uneven pavement.

Too soft and the car can "wallow" unless the spring rates are high (stiff ride). Too firm and the car won't keep all the wheels on the ground on rough pavement or during abrupt maneuvers. There is NO perfect setup, although the new computerized magneride shocks are close.

BTW --- due to the "flexy" body of convertibles it is best to avoid too firm shock settings.

I've always found Koni shocks to control wheel movement better than any others I've tried - just me.

[keitho64]

I installed the rear shocks tonight. I went with 3/4 turn from full soft. I figured I go a little softer than Daniels LM coupe. I won’t get to the fronts until this weekend. I’ll set them up at 1/4 turn from full soft. Then I just sit impatiently for winter to end and/or the roads to clear up and see how they work.

The entire suspension in the car is new. I did all bushings, springs and the KYB shocks back in 2018.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[drive_slow_look_fast]

I think you'll be pleased!

[keitho64]

Well the weather in Chicago was nice enough today for me to take the 64 out for a drive. I will say this is one of the best investments I’ve made to this car. The ride quality is sublime and the handling is amazing.

I am very impressed with how much better the Konis are over the gas shocks I had on it. Keep in mind the entire suspension is all new, I used the Delrin bushings instead of the factory rubber. I felt the suspension was still not up to what I was expecting. Well the Knois completely changed that. The transformation is unreal. The car handles way better than I thought possible.

I am sold!

Thank you all.

[vairmech]

Most everyone here posted about their stock car and the ride but performance was mentioned in the first comment.

What was told to me by Lee Grimes, formerly of Koni Shocks and Corvair racer, is to start in the middle. I did that for my race car and I am happy with them. Keep in mind that IF you have the HD or lowered springs this setting is probably where you want to be.

If you want to try for that cushy Cadillac ride, go full soft, especially for the front but the rear has more weight to it so probably needs to be a little firmer.

Any test of a shock is to bounce one end of the vehicle, the front of a Corvair when you release it should come up and then settle on the down with no extra bounces. You can also tell mismatched shocks or worn shocks that way as one side will bounce more than the other.
When you do the same for the rear, because of the extra weight, the rear should bounce up on the release, do a shorter stroke on the down and settle on the up stroke. If you have 3-4 up's and down's then it is time to think of a different/better shock.

This is for mostly the early cars but most replacement shocks will not control the back end weight, that is evidenced by the multiple bounces after release. BTW, movement is a bounce just like ripples in the water when you skip a stone!

[66vairguy]

Well the weather in Chicago was nice enough today for me to take the 64 out for a drive. I will say this is one of the best investments I’ve made to this car. The ride quality is sublime and the handling is amazing.

I am very impressed with how much better the Konis are over the gas shocks I had on it. Keep in mind the entire suspension is all new, I used the Delrin bushings instead of the factory rubber. I felt the suspension was still not up to what I was expecting. Well the Knois completely changed that. The transformation is unreal. The car handles way better than I thought possible.

I am sold!

Thank you all.

Thanks for the feedback. Sometimes you DO get what you pay for!

Decades ago I had a 1957 Continetal MKII that weighed nearly 5,000 lbs!! The local Koni distributor found Koni's that fit and compared to the old BIG factory shocks they didn't look up to the job. I was amazed by the improvement the Koni shocks made in the cars ride and handling. Smooth ride and NO big boat oscillations!!!!!