Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

Koni Special D shocks question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-29-2010, 07:10 PM
  #1  
Tpx
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Tpx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cypress, CA
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1982+1988 Z28 Camaros
Engine: 1982=350 carb 1988=383 Carb
Transmission: 1982=4 speed T-10 1988=6 speed T56
Axle/Gears: 1982=stock
Koni Special D shocks question

I have a pair of rear Koni Special D shocks part no 80L-2501 for my camaro. As far as I can tell, they aren't made/sold anymore and I cannot find info on them. They are adjustable, but I can't figure out how (Adjustable is written into the steel body) My question is, when compared to a KYB Gas-A-Just rear pair for my camaro, the Koni Special D compress pretty easy, but don't rebound. At all. They seem to have NO rebound, unless you pull them back up (uncompress them) by hand. The KYB's compress comparably hard (difficult to compress by hand) and immediately auto uncompress. Is this normal? Are the Koni's supposed to stay compressed until our car's springs push them back up? I know they are drag racing shocks, so this might be intended. Just didn't know if they were not working properly or not.
Old 04-29-2010, 07:27 PM
  #2  
Supreme Member
TGO - 10 Year Member
iTrader: (15)
 
//<86TA>\\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 12,666
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 48 Posts
Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
Transmission: TKO600, T5
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: Koni Special D shocks question

if they dont rebound, they are shot
Old 04-29-2010, 07:29 PM
  #3  
Tpx
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Tpx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cypress, CA
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1982+1988 Z28 Camaros
Engine: 1982=350 carb 1988=383 Carb
Transmission: 1982=4 speed T-10 1988=6 speed T56
Axle/Gears: 1982=stock
Re: Koni Special D shocks question

really? thanks, cause I was about the install them on my car, but neither rebound so if what you say is true they both are paper weights.
Old 04-29-2010, 08:02 PM
  #4  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (4)
 
Scorpner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: MN
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Car: 85 SC, 86 Berlinetta
Engine: V6, V8
Transmission: 700r4, 700r4
Re: Koni Special D shocks question

They may be rebuildable. Try contacting Koni and see.
Old 04-29-2010, 09:23 PM
  #5  
Tpx
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Tpx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Cypress, CA
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1982+1988 Z28 Camaros
Engine: 1982=350 carb 1988=383 Carb
Transmission: 1982=4 speed T-10 1988=6 speed T56
Axle/Gears: 1982=stock
Re: Koni Special D shocks question

I was not the original buyer of the shocks, so I'm not sure they will honor a warranty I don't even have the papers for, but you're right it can't hurt to call them. Thanks for the fast answers, this forum is very helpful!
Old 04-30-2010, 09:12 AM
  #6  
Member

iTrader: (3)
 
Roostmeyer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 88 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.1L Gen III
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.70
Re: Koni Special D shocks question

Koni puts very little gas pressure in a lot of their dampers, and from what I can tell they don't put any gas in them when rebuilding them on site at races. Doesn't seem like a good idea to me, but hell they work...

The dampers I just got back from pro parts took probably 20 seconds for the rod to push itself back out from full compression, even with the rebound backed off fully (they're sport shocks revalved to slightly stiffer than the race valving for my miata) so the low speed damping certainly wasn't helping. Check with your closest authorized rebuilder, but most likely your going to spend more than a new pair to get them rebuilt. You might as well revalve them if you need it, or just buy a new pair.
Old 02-26-2013, 11:14 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member
TGO - 10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
406TPI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 1,399
Received 7 Likes on 4 Posts
Car: 1985 IROC-Z
Engine: Magnacharged LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 4:11's
Re: Koni Special D shocks question

Sorry, but I'm digging up an oldie here, but I just found out from Koni that these Special D's shocks and struts never carried a gas charge and will not self extend. I got my hands on a brand new, never mounted set front and rear. I got ahold of Koni to see what the deal was with them. they said that as long as they show no signs of leaking they are good to go. They are also rebound adjustable by compressing them and engaging the foot valve and turning the shock body.

Just wanted to share in case somebody else comes across these dampers.
part #'s are
80L2501 on the shock and 87W2223 on the strut.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
NORTz89
Suspension and Chassis
32
05-20-2020 03:51 PM
deracer
Camaros for Sale
3
04-11-2016 12:04 AM
LT1Formula
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
10
11-16-2015 01:13 PM
sweet_87_iroc
Camaros for Sale
5
09-25-2015 10:01 PM
redmaroz
LTX and LSX
7
08-16-2015 11:40 PM



Quick Reply: Koni Special D shocks question



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33 PM.