944 Turbo Shocks

[scam75]

Hi Guys

Looking for some advice. All 4 shockers on my 1990 250bhp turbo are rather past their best. They look like the original ones, black with a 951 part number I think.

Am I best replacing them (if yes, what with) or can they be refurbed, or does anyone happen to be sitting with some good ones they would like to sell?

Thanks in advance

Stuart

 

[Diver944]

If they are original then you have a lovely surprise in store when you replace them. What you thought was a fine handling car is actually nothing compared to how it will be like with new units. Standard items are currently running at around £200 each up front and £100 each at the back (shop around the multitude of websites to find the best prices), then you are looking at a few hours to swap them over followed by a realignment as everything will be out of true.

An alternative is to buy an adjustable insert from Koni (for around £100 each ) that will fit your existing front strut with a bit of cutting and mechanical know how, then fit the standard rears as already mentioned. The insert is mildly stiffer than your current setup when it is set to its softest setting, but it still works well with the standard rear

 

[DavidL]

Stuart,
I was in exactly the same situation with the same car. I couldn't decide what to do (KW3s or less pricey?) but picked up some fairly new original parts from ebay. Something around £100 for all 4 corners. These are much better than my original (they had 220K mind!) but I suspect the seller was perhaps a little economical with their mileage.
It did however amuse me and teach me a bit about 944 construction as I swopped it all myself (with some help from here - thanks all). It was quite straightforward really, even for me.
I shall run as I am for now but new ones are still quite high on my list - next year hopefully and I will do KW3s once I find a kind soul to show demo a car with some and I'm suitably impressed.
To answer your question I suppose it depends how much you want to spend - as always. Gaz, Koni and others have all been discussed but the KWs seem to get the best press and my impression is that here isn't a whole lot of difference in price unless you go the Koni insert route.

 

[ukporker]

An alternative is to buy an adjustable insert from Koni (for around £100 each ) that will fit your existing front strut with a bit of cutting and mechanical know how, then fit the standard rears as already mentioned. The insert is mildly stiffer than your current setup when it is set to its softest setting, but it still works well with the standard rear

Hi,

Is it possible to fit the Koni inserts to M030 front struts ? and if it is does anbody know what the part numbers are.
If this is not possible is the best option to get the existing struts refurbished ?

Richard

 

[DavidL]

I think the Koni ones are refurbable aren't they?
Otherwise buy some knackered old front struts and use them since you will be replacing the knackered bit!

 

[scam75]

What does the fabled KWv3 come in at fitted?

Also, car has the M030 option (says in book and sticker on car) but the shocks are black, can anyone shed any light on this?

Stuart

 

[DavidL]

RPM and Promax quote 1150 + VAT and they usually will fit them for this but then you get into the re-indexing discussion which I'll admit to not understanding! Something to do with the ride height/stance?
From Promax site:
NOTE: For optimum performance, we recommend re-indexing your rear torsion bars. Fitment without re-idexing negates the adjustment capability of the rear suspension.
Add to that a full geo -150 ish - but then you'll need that for any option.

The MO30 Konis are yellow (very yellow) so it may be they have been swopped out at some point. As the Tipec guys are saying check for the adjustment knobs - none of these then no MO30. Either way it will be knackered by now!

 

[scam75]

The car has been lowered at some point, I wonder if the struts were changed over then? Definitely black now, and knackered!

 

[Suffolk944]

ORIGINAL: scam75

The car has been lowered at some point, I wonder if the struts were changed over then? Definitely black now, and knackered!

As its been lowered you might not need reindexing for KW's, but one of the installers would need to take a look to judge if this were the case or not.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: ukporker


Is it possible to fit the Koni inserts to M030 front struts ?

No, the koni inserts only fit the standard boge struts

Koni M030 can be rebuilt for about £100 each

It sounds like Stuarts car had the M030 replaced many years ago with Boge (probably because the owner didnt realise they were rebuildable and he didnt want to pay the HUUUUGE price for new M030 struts)

 

[scam75]

It would appear that the shocks which I thought were black are actually red! They are sachs with a 951 part number, I assume they are standard turbo issue and they have replaced the yellow ones at some point.

 

[ChasR]

When I had a chat to a KW'd car owner, he said it came to £2k after the re-indexing etc.

Shocks are on my list for next year. I wouldn't say mine are old (around 4-5 years old) but every little helps.

 

[MarkK]

Would agree these cars are very suspension sensitive,and the right settup will totally transform your car(no exageration) and the way it puts power down and drivability on uneven/country lanes for example,i drove a turbo recently with quite tired Koni M030 suspension and i was shocked how incredibly bad it felt(like a new york taxi[&:]) in comparison to newer Koni M030 or better still KWs,the KWs though are everything they are cracked up to be,if you really like driving it will be well worth the investment.

 

[scam75]

Are M030 struts any different in shape to standard turbo struts? ie. Can I put in standard turbo shocks or will they not fit due to the bigger discs, callipers etc. ?

There is a guy on e-bay selling refurbed Koni's requiring inserts to complete. He states "Not M030" on his ad.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PORSCHE-944-S2-944S2-968-FRONT-STRUTS-FOR-KONI-INSERTS_W0QQitemZ280425379490QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item414aa7b6a2

Would these go on my car?

Stuart

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

ORIGINAL: ukporker


Is it possible to fit the Koni inserts to M030 front struts ?

No, the koni inserts only fit the standard boge struts

Koni M030 can be rebuilt for about £100 each

It sounds like Stuarts car had the M030 replaced many years ago with Boge (probably because the owner didnt realise they were rebuildable and he didnt want to pay the HUUUUGE price for new M030 struts)

Id hoped for £100 a corner Paul. I called the firm you suggested recently and he quoted 'about £1,200 for the car': I nearly fell off my chair! He seemed to feel that even if they were only being freshened up theyd still be into me for £150 a corner. I pointed out that new rears only cost £200 each but he seemed confident that they werent available any longer... :sad face:

 

[ChasR]

You may as well get KW v3s for that much if they're going to be refurbished!

 

[944 man]

Im looking for somewhere cheaper!

 

[lali]

you do also have the options of the GAZ stuff that EMC supply, and thats a SHED load cheape then the KWV3.

 

[ChasR]

I've been considering the GAZ items as a long term upgrade next to the KWs but I understand that GAZ aren't as road friendly.

 

[lali]

ORIGINAL: pauly

ORIGINAL: lali

you do also have the options of the GAZ stuff that EMC supply, and thats a SHED load cheape then the KWV3.

I think there was about £300 difference when I was looking. As for re-indexing the paperwork from KW didn't suggest this was required.

There is more than £300 difference between the single adjustable GAZ stuff and the KW's you migh have been looking at the remote resevoir GAZ race kit??

The KW paperwork is telling the most MASSIVE porky pies....