[boosthead]

I just installed the Koni Sport kit on my 2006 3 GT today with help from Rdaggett. The kit consists of Koni sport (yellow) adjustable shocks and rebadged Vogtland springs that are rated at a 40mm drop. After finishing the install and pulling the car out of the garage and back in, I took "after" height measurements to compare with my before measurements. The front was lowered exactly 1.5" front and .5" rear. I was expecting a more even drop. I wasn't able to take it for a drive due to time constraints but I will take some better pics after church tomorrow and take measurements again.

For now, here is my lone pic. In reality, the drop is more even but my driveway isnt as flat as my garage.

 

[compsi]

Taking a height measurement right after a drop is a waste of time IMO because it is not representative of what the drop will end up being. Measure it a month down the road after it settles a bit and you'll get a better measurement.

 

[boosthead]

[quote author=compsi link=topic=74746.msg1338707#msg1338707 date=1176682033]
Taking a height measurement right after a drop is a waste of time IMO because it is not representative of what the drop will end up being. Measure it a month down the road after it settles a bit and you'll get a better measurement.
[/quote]

There seems to be much debate amongst enthusiasts as to whether springs really settle. I decided to take a measurement immediately after and then again after putting 1,000+ miles on my car.

 

[biped]

i don't think there should be much debate.

you'd think it would only be natural for a piece of metal to get used to a large amount of weight on it.

 

[boosthead]

UPDATE: I was able to take the 3 out for a short drive after the monsoon rain subsided. WOW. The car corners flat. Brake dive has been nearly eliminated. I want to adjust the front shocks, firm them up a quarter turn, but I am very happy with the results. I purchased mazdaspeed sway bars but I'm not so sure I need/want to install them now. I guess I will put some miles on the car and then decide whether to install the sway bars.

 

[boosthead]

[quote author=biped link=topic=74746.msg1338793#msg1338793 date=1176684784]
I don't think there should be much debate.
you'd think it would only be natural for a piece of metal to get used to a large amount of weight on it.
[/quote]

I agree, but I see people on this and other forums who disagree.

 

[biped]

is the ride harsh? i'm looking to upgrade my struts and have not decided on yellows or fsd yet.

 

[boosthead]

No, the ride is not harsh at all. I have the shocks at 50% stiff front and rear. Rdaggett has Yellows and Canuck springs running 50-75% stiff up front and full stiff in the rear. The rears on full stiff were VERY stiff and we backed them down to 50%.

I guess it would take a close analysis of the damping curves of the FSD's and Yellows to determine which would be better with the springs you're using. I have used Yellows on several cars in the past and like that they offer a wode range of adjustment, are very durable, re-valvable if you decide to change to super high spring rates, and I can adjust the damping to my tastes.
I'm sure the FSD's are great shocks and I always wanted to try Bilsteins before the FSD's came out, but I like being able to fine tune the damping to what feels good to me.

 

[biped]

i like the set-it-and-forget-it nature of fsds... how often do yellows need to be rebuilt, if at all?

 

[boosthead]

[quote author=biped link=topic=74746.msg1338903#msg1338903 date=1176686878]
i like the set-it-and-forget-it nature of fsds... how often do yellows need to be rebuilt, if at all?
[/quote]

They don't need to be rebuilt on a regular interval but can be rebuilt if you damage one in an accident or want to run super stiff springs. I've put tons of miles on Yellows with no issues. I drive 30k+ miles per year and have been driving on yellows in other cars for the last ~10 years.

I don't regularly adjust the shocks, but I like that I have the ability to adjust them to what feels best to me and then leave them.

 

[biped]

cool, maybe i'll go with the yellows instead. after reading hourman's initial review of the fsds, i was stoked. but after reading his update about how they got harsher, it seems like they just went back to feeling like my oem struts do now since i'm lowered.

 

[travicon]

i just did yellows on saturday with the help of h-town friends, and wow! rear is set at 50% to get a good frame of reference, and front is soft right now for everyday use. i 100% agree with him saying the car corners flat; it feels extremely precise. amazing upgrade, wish i would have done much sooner! any questions, feel free to shoot them!

 

[mehc]

grats ;>

 

[boosthead]

I dont think I like the stance. I think I prefer a stance where the rear sits flatter, even gap between tire and wheel well for both fron and rear. Though the pics of the gaps look close, in reality, the front is 1 finger and the rear is 2. For reference, I am running relatively new Potenza s-03's, 205/50/17. The handling is fantastic. I thought the fronts might need to be stiffened but after doing so, it seems the rears are actually set too stiff. I'm currently 50% stiff front and rear. I'm going to adjust them to 25% stiff front and rear this weekend as I have a long commute and I am willing to sacrifice a little in ultimate handling to gain some comfort. On anything less than very bumpy pavement, the current settings are fine. On the highway, it feels very smooth

Day time pics.

Front:

Rear:

 

[biped]

looks good. i dig the raked look, but then, i have h-techs. i just like it because when people are in the back seat or if i'm moving or have a load in there, the ass doesn't sag on the car. it remains level.

 

[boosthead]

[quote author=biped link=topic=74746.msg1347786#msg1347786 date=1176934919]
looks good. i dig the raked look, but then, i have h-techs. i just like it because when people are in the back seat or if i'm moving or have a load in there, the ass doesn't sag on the car. it remains level.
[/quote]

If the rear were .5" lower, I think I would be OK with it.

 

[birdzofprey]

I was interested in getting a setup similar to this, but I have people in my backseat all the time and my tires do rub on that little fender lip from time to time. Is there any suggestions as to what would make the best setup for the position im in.

 

[boosthead]

[quote author=birdzofprey link=topic=74746.msg1353277#msg1353277 date=1177098079]
I was interested in getting a setup similar to this, but I have people in my backseat all the time and my tires do rub on that little fender lip from time to time. Is there any suggestions as to what would make the best setup for the position im in.
[/quote]

I think any setup that does not lower the rear as much as the front would benefit you. The Koni or Tein H-techs may suit your needs. I have my Konis up for sale as I was looking for a slightly lower ride height. Additionally, are you rubbing with OE wheels or aftermarket? The issue may be your wheel offset.

 

[mehc]

Hey boost did you experience any clucking noise in the front? Even with my endlinks it came back; kinda annoys me. The car is going to the dealer in two weeks for the 1 year inspection so I'll have em look at it..

 

[boosthead]

Mehc: I haven't experienced any odd noises. Did you check to make sure the pinch bolt on the knuckle and the 3 bolts at the strut tower were torqued to spec? The car rides and handles great. My only hang-up is the ride height. The rear is 3/4" higher than the fronts. What is the difference in ride height on yours? Did you take before and after measurements? I called Koni North America today and they confirmed that the springs should lower the car 40mm front and rear.