Does anyone have any current experience with or observations of Spax Shocks? I specifically would like to know how well they perform both on the street and autocross/road course. How easy are they to adjust and how do they compare with Koni and QA1? Thanks guys!
Not current, but nothing has changed IRT that brand.
Valving is not quite right and only single adjustable.
It's not remotely close to a Koni.
Spax is ok on lighter vehicles but not really the best match
on a Mustang, particularly on the track. Would be acceptable
on the street if you had a basically stock suspension. Anything
modified and you'd quickly find the limitations. (Nothing quite
like spending a bunch on suspension, putting a lesser grade
shock on and being disappointed- AND not knowing why you're
disappointed)
ex-Global West GM
1991-1995
__________________
As the drill sergeant said, "I taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you everything I know."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams
Thanks for the reply! The only reason I am hesitating going with
Konis is that it seems to be a pain to adjust them since they
have to be removed from the car to do so. Is this an issue that
others have had to deal with and is it really something to be
concerned with? Are Konis that much better and if so in what ways?
My car is a 69 coupe that is becoming more and more an autocross/track car.
Thanks!
The single adjustable Koni are definitely a pain to adjust, but I've seen
people do it on the car. (once again, not the easiest thing in the world though)
To be perfectly honest, unless you're doing it for a living, you won't adjust them
that much.
I've got double adjustable Konis on my 66 GT. They're a joy. I bought them one
at a time as they're outrageously expensive. I got them purely for the "you
haven't got a pair of these" factor but on a maxed-out chassis I also wanted
full adjustability. I've only changed the settings a couple of times though.
They are much, much more shock than 99% of the OT guys would ever need.
The valving on the single adjustable Konis is correct. All by itself, that one
statement is the main criteria of why they are better. They will out-last the
car. They are rebuildable and they're made by a company whose claim to fame
is actually that they build springs and dampners for railroad trains. Pretty
cool stuff.
Until the Penske shock setup came around, the Konis were the best.
Outside of the Bilsteins, the rest of the manufacturers aren't even close.
The KYB, Monroes, Edelbrocks, etc are all at the other end of the spectrum.
Shocks are very subjective, but I can assure you that comparing the best to
the lowest offerings is similar to comparing a Bugatti Veyron to a Honda Civic.
If you're any kind of car guy, once you've driven the one, you wouldn't want
to waste a minute of your life in the other.
ex-Global West GM
1991-1995
__________________
As the drill sergeant said, "I taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you everything I know."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams
Ive got a set of Bilstein shocks from street or track. They are very well matched to my 620 pound front springs and more aggressive rear springs (sorry I cannot remember the rate). I have only good things to say about the shocks. They ride very well for such a stiffly sprung car. Don't get the wrong impression though, as they are stiff, but they don't shake your teeth out. I had the car out on the track and with the Bilsteins it was very controllable and predictable. They are not adjustable.
I have single-adjustable Konis on my street/solo 70 vert, and after setting them per the Boss 302 Chassis Modification Guide reprint (available from most Mustang parts houses), I have not seen the need to reset them in 10 years. IIRC, I set them to the Stage 2 (Rally/Solo) recommendation, plus 1/2 turn toward stiff on the rear. What works for me at 40-50 mph around the cones might be a bit on the loose side at 90 on the track, so maybe a little stiffer in the front for you.....
__________________
70 Mustang Vert--Konis, Addco, springs, Shelby drop, SSBC front discs, 2.75:1 T-lok, Magstars, Michelin X-Ones, 302, Autolite 4100, cam, Hipo manifolds, C-4. Not a car like I had when I was a kid--rather, a car like I WANTED to have when I was a kid.
Also into American Flyer electric trains--Its never too late to have a happy childhood.
Last edited by solomaniac; 02-08-2012 at 10:05 PM.
Thanks guys for all the input! This is invaluable information and i really appreciate it. Just spoke with John at Opentracker regarding my questions about shocks and suspensions. Seems like a great guy and very forthcoming with information. Now all I have to decide is adjustable Koni or non-adjustable Bilstein!!
Location: The woods of the Finger Lakes, western NY
Posts: 187
Having a separate handle on bump & rebound in the rear shocks is a significant step up. All the mass & low-frequency resonance of the rear axle needs some taming. Rebound is your friend.
Singles in the front seem to be the best choice. Penske's from Stimola rock.
__________________
"It's always better to be shot out of a cannon than to be squeezed out of a tube" - Hunter S. Thompson
John hit the nail on the head AFA the rear.....
The factory and most aftermarket shocks don't have that rear ratio
anywhere near correct. The difference between wrong and right in this
example is the difference between slow and fast. It's that Black & White.
ex-Global West GM
1991-1995
__________________
As the drill sergeant said, "I taught you everything you know. I didn't teach you everything I know."
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
- Douglas Adams
Hey Guys. Thanks for all the input! Luckily I waited to make my decision as I just purchased a full set of Konis for my 69. The price was the best you'll find anywhere but there is a catch. They asked me not to name the price since the sale begins on March 1st but I guarantee it will the lowest by a lot! The company name is ASI in El Cajon, CA which is just east of San Diego. Their website is shox.com. Give them a call and ask for Arthur or Mark. A special thanks to GT289 for your invaluable input!
you dont have to take single adjust konis off the mustang to adjust. unbolt the top bracket on the front, and unbolt and remove the bracket off the shock tower. push down turn to adjust and put everthing back. unbolt the bottom of the rear shock push all the way up. hold the top and bottom sections with your hands adjust and bolt back in place. once there set thats it.
What do the Mustang specific Penske shocks look like?
Lots of mods required to mount them?
BTW when I went from the horrible KYB to Bilsteins (Street Car), the rear shocks made the most difference.
...I have the adjustable Spax shocks in combination with progessive front springs and 5 leaf rear eye springs on the back. I do mainly historic hill climb racing and sometime historic road racing with my 1966 Mustang. The setup works good but I will go for Koni shocks in the future...
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
Spax Shocks
Spax vs Koni
