The problem with koni yellow is.... they have hard compression. The adjustable part is ONLY the rebound. The koni orange are hard compression and rebound.I like the adjustability of the Koni Yellows for autocross, but they do ride rough. Not sure I would choose them for a daily driver.
This is very much the way I ran D Specs on the hi-way. They are just a bit stiff. Current (best setting) for the strip is no front sway bar at all with front struts 6 turns out and rear shocks 1.5 turns out. Rides just awful on the hi-way.My D-Spec values:
2007 sway bars: 5 out rear, 4.5 front (7.5 out max and softest)
2014 sway bars: 6 out rear, 5.5 front
Because of the stiffer sway bar I was able to drive softer adjustments
(High speed compression is too stiff for me in any setting)
On the Subject of Improving Handling: Just my humble opinion on what I would change (and have) on an S197 in order of precedence w/my reasoning (may not match yours). If you're not that sure about what you're doing (or very old like me though I still work on my car because I like to save money) I'd take my car into a good alignment shop and have them check everything suspension and steering wise. If they find problems at least you know where to start.
1) Tires - If your tires are old (assuming adequate tread... +5 yrs seems to be the recommendation) change them out if you can afford it. Plenty of great options out there.
2) Struts/Shocks - Bilstein B6 - Best I've run across to date. Firmer yet compliant. Tires must maintain contact patch to be effective.
3) Springs - If you like a lowered look but not absolutely necessary. Do at the same time as struts/shocks if you're going to.
4) Sway bars - Several good options out there. Only thing I would caution is get F/R from the same manufacturer.
5) Front/Rear LCA's (Lower Control Arms) - If yours are original past time to change them out. Bonus - Takes care of ball joint issues as well. Get the GT500 version for the fronts and an aftermarket for the UCA/LCA's in the rear. I like J&M. They articulate better than most and have held up well in my experience. Don't forget an adjustable pan hard bar.
6) Tie rods - I've had to replace both. Steering is now laser focused.
7) Braces - Lot's of opinions out there whether these cars need them or not. Personal preference - I would go with at least a strut tower brace and lower A-arm brace in the front since every S197 out there is already set up for it. In the rear many have commented that adding an X Brace in place of or behind the rear seats significantly improved tracking/handling but I cannot speak to that as I haven't installed one (but I have one that I will install in the spring so more on that later). On my own car I've installed both of these and added a Whiteline lower control arm brace and a rear strut tower brace. Neither of which was likely necessary but I was on a tear at the time after the car tried to swap ends one night when I got on her in the rain... Since I've made all of the changes mentioned handling has improved signifcantly.
8) Lots of other things you can do to these cars and of course manufacturers would sell you a left nostril inhaler if they thought you'd buy it. For the most part my overall recommendation is improve what you can, as you can afford it starting with the obvious to keep your steed on the road and behaving. Good luck.
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions, very appreciated. The suspension and alignment of the car was all checked last summer when I bought it and everything was ok (inspected by a good mechanic). That said, I will double check the bushing when it will get out this spring.
I will most probably do a mix of your suggestions: GT500 strut mounts, maybe convertible GT500 springs and... Bilstein dampers... Depending of the feel after installing these parts, will decide if I continue with the sway bars.
I'm kind of surprise that not that much people have tried the Koni Special Active, I thought they would be THE solution. I will install of of these myself. Will keep you inform later this summer when all will be installed.
Thanks to all of you for your suggestions, very appreciated. The suspension and alignment of the car was all checked last summer when I bought it and everything was ok (inspected by a good mechanic). That said, I will double check the bushing when it will get out this spring.
I will most probably do a mix of your suggestions: GT500 strut mounts, maybe convertible GT500 springs and... Bilstein dampers... Depending of the feel after installing these parts, will decide if I continue with the sway bars.
I'm kind of surprise that not that much people have tried the Koni Special Active, I thought they would be THE solution. I will install of of these myself. Will keep you inform later this summer when all will be installed.
I'm fairly certain you'll like the ride. My advice is try to avoid the potholes.Thanks DieHarder, I really like your approach. Just one question regarding the Bilstein, are they offering some comfort over potholes? It's sad that I live so far from all of you guys, I would have love that have a ride in your car to see how it feels. Obviously, Quebec is really far away HAHAHAH!!!
Exactly, I want to keep it comfortable and tighten up handling so I will keep the OEM springs (I don't want a buckboard AND I won't ask how you know regarding the change of springs ) So I will follow you advice. Thanks a lot!No need to change the springs if you're looking for a comfortable ride. What the struts/shocks will do is help tighten up handling which is what you want. Unless you're going to lower the car I'd save the money and keep the stock springs. Changing out the springs will likely stiffen the ride. GT500/FRPP/Aftermarket are typically stiffer compared to stock and may make the car ride like a buckboard (ask me how I know). You do need the GT500 strut mounts for the Bilstein B6 as they won't fit the stock strut mounts. My advice is change out the struts/shocks/mounts and evaluate the ride and handling for a while before making other changes.
Thanks for you your comment - I changed my wheel with the OEM Gt500 Shelby 18'' of 2008 with good tires on them. Much better that original wheels but obviously, I need to do some more changes.Before buying any struts and shocks i would highly advise you to buy new wheels and low profile tires. I'm telling you this because when i've bought my 2009 GT almost four year ago, i changed struts and shocks to Koni Yellows, GT500 front struts mounts, Whiteline rear control arms (all three of them), Ford Racing rear sway bar links and Energy Suspension front sway bar bushings. All this made a huge difference, no doubt. But i still feel a terrible body roll that makes me crazy. So i think now that my next step will be new set of wheels, wider than my stock 18x8.5 Bullitts, and tires with much lover profile. Maybe someone in this thread will share their success story with the wheels.