bilstein vs sachs vs koni

["Peter Kemos" <peterk@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

<snip>
Is this a regular observation with Bilsteins? That they cause stability

problems at speed and make the spider less fun to drive?


The question of which shock is "best" is entirely dependant on the rest of
your suspension.  Based on my experiences with my GTV, which has evolved
from a roached out beater to a spirited back road tourer and now (gradually)
to a track car, Bilstein shocks are way too stiff for stock springs.

For a while i had Rugh front springs and stock rears.  I tried a set of
Bilsteins and found that the fronts were quite good paired with Rugh's
springs (which is why Dave Rugh recommends them), but that the rear Bilstein
w/ stock spring combo was useless. They jacked up the rear of the car and
made it overly stiff and oversteer badly (so yes, there was a stability
problem at speed: around corners).   Frankly, i feel that the shocks are too
stiff even with Rugh's rear springs, but i happen to like my cars set up
soft in the rear as they tend to stick better that way.

That being said, Koni reds are seriously old-skool technology, and have
their limitations as well, although they are just fine for most 'street'
applications.  Yellows are too stiff for stock springs but can be made to
work with aftermarket springs.  The best compromise for a street/touring car
is, IMO, a low pressure gas shock like the Sachs or Carrera.  You get the
benefit of fast response thanks to the gas charging, without all the extra
compression stiffness from a high pressure gas shock like the Bilstein, but
the key again is that the shock's valving is appropriately paired with your
springs.

The real question is what is it about your Alfa that makes it a 'fun' ride?
More often than not, the trend is to take a street car, lower it via some
'sport' springs, stiff shocks, big swaybars, and 205 series tires and have a
car that handles like crap and loosens the fillings from your teeth, BUT, it
looks really cool (and fast).
Then there's that dorky looking 'stock' car, with stock ride height, skinny
tires and a soft suspension, but which drifts around corners like it's going
out of style, and has somebody behind the wheel with a big stupid smile on
their face.....

Purely my opinion and worth what you paid for it.

Peter Kemos
89 Verde
73 GTV
66 Super
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