KONI Sports shocks for the AE86...

[jondee86]

I've already picked up some 8641-1146S top adjustable AE92 inserts,
and now I am looking for some short stroke Koni shocks for the rear.
Currently I have the Camaro AGX and they bolted right in with no
modifications, but I read that the Koni 8041-1186S from a 99 Mustang
might be a better choice than Camaro ?

My present spring rates are 3.0 front and 2.8 kg/mm rear.

So the question I'm asking is, has anyone actually used the 8041-1186S
Mustang shocks on their car ?

Impressions welcome, and/or recommendations on any other Koni Sports
short strokes that have been proven to fit and work on an AE86.

Cheers... jondee86

PS: I have already read 843 threads about shocks for the AE86, so I am
aware that: HTS / TRD / KYB / Bilstein / Tokico or any kind of home made
or factory coilover is awesome and far superior to Koni regardless of road
conditions, weather or whatever I am thinking of doing with the car :wink:

[jondee86]

To date the information I have gathered on the Mustang shocks is less
than convincing, given the cost of special ordering them from the USA.

So I have been looking at various other options, and it just so happens
that I found a set of the original OEM KYB AE86 rear shocks in the shed.
They have only done around 2000km and are in like new condition. When
I measured them, the compressed length is near enough the same as the
Camaro/Mustang shocks. Better yet, my rear springs are slightly longer
(unloaded) that the OEM springs

So by way of an experiment, I think I will pop them in and see how they
compare with the AGX (now on their softest setting).

Cheers... jondee86

[oldeskewltoy]

From doing a little comparing in an old Monroe shock book... you might look to see if SA12(1st gen RX7) shocks will do/fit. If Koni even has a listing for them.....?????

[Rasteirinho]

Hi Jondee,

I'm also picking up info to know what to do to my AE86 suspension.
I'm currently running Koni Sport for AE86 both front and rear, with TRD springs (8Kg at the front and 6 Kg at the rear).

God, that's stiff, and a PITA to drive on the wet.

I'm thinking going to 4~5 Kg at the front and 3~4 Kg at the rear and buying some adjustable anti-roll bars.

About the shocks this was the info i got a few weeks back

Front
8610 1437 RACE
143€ each

Camaro (rear)
Koni 8242-1006SP1 dual adjustment
270€ each
Only 2 in stock, and they will not be produced anymore.

95+ Mustang (rear)
Koni 8041-1186S
158€ each
No stock, but they will be made again in November.

I'm tempted to try the Mustang ones...

[ditn]

I have bilstein and front and koni in the back but the internals are changed.
Many drivers swear by this combo over here in rally cars,but the internal are changed.
I will ask him next time which koni's he used as starting point for my car,he might give me that

[jondee86]

oldeskewltoy Wrote:From doing a little comparing in an old Monroe shock book... you might look to see if
SA12(1st gen RX7) shocks will do/fit. If Koni even has a listing for them.....?????

Yes... the indications are that the dimensions of the Series 1 RX7 shocks
are a pretty good match to the OEM AE86 shock. But I haven't been able
to find any Koni Sports listings for the Series 1.

Cheers... jondee86

[jondee86]

Rasteirinho Wrote:I'm thinking going to 4~5 Kg at the front and 3~4 Kg at the rear
and buying some adjustable anti-roll bars.

Yes... despite what many enthusiats will say, I feel that the 8kg/6kg drift
combination is quite unsuitable for less than perfect roads. As you have
found, the car will lose grip on wet or uneven surfaces. From memory I
think Oldskewltoy ran the kind of spring rates you are considering ?

The double adjustable Camaro shocks would be nice, but they are
ridiculously expensive in this part of the world. The Mustang shocks are
more reasonable, and I understand they would be good for 3~4 kg.

The local Koni specialist has suggested the Koni 8041-1067SP, as this is
readily available here, and can fit the AE86 with a small modification to
the lower mounting bush. I shall probably look at them after I have tried
the OEM KYB's on the car.

Cheers... jondee86

[jondee86]

ditn Wrote:I have bilstein and front and koni in the back but the internals are changed.
Many drivers swear by this combo over here in rally cars,but the internal are changed.
I will ask him next time which koni's he used as starting point for my car,he might give me that

Yes... when you are serious about performance, you will buy the best
shocks and have them custom valved for your application The only
problem is that the best costs more $$$. Just now I have some Koni front
inserts that I was able to get for a very good price, so I am trying to match
them to some rear shocks.

If I can't find something that will work well for a fair price, I will probably
wait a little longer, sell the Konis and get a full set of custom Bilsteins

Cheers... jondee86

[ditn]

true but they also have to start from koni's or bilstein so should be findable for the ae86

How about these numbers
Toyota Corolla Corolla GT-TC 16 Coupé (AE86) Sport 83-87
Front Left 86 1991SPORT
Right 86 1991SPORT
Rear Left 80 2437SPORT
Right

also someone on ae86 irl is selling b8 bilstein front and rear for 450 €

[jondee86]

ditn Wrote:How about these numbers
Toyota Corolla Corolla GT-TC 16 Coupé (AE86) Sport 83-87
Front Left 86 1991SPORT
Right 86 1991SPORT
Rear Left 80 2437SPORT
Right

I already had these in another car... possibly with the rods shortened at
the factory. They came in a set with Koni lowering springs. Worked fine

Cheers... jondee86