Koni vs. KYB

[JayBird]

I just installed progressive springs on my 80 spider. I have a rear sway bar and KYB Gas a just shocks that were installed about 25 years ago. I 'm happy with my new ride height, the new springs dropped the car about an inch on all four corners. The handling of the car seems fine but after installing the new progressive springs the ride is bouncy. I'm planning on replacing the old KYBs next. It looks like my two best options are the Koni Yellows or the KYB excel-Gs.

Will the New Koni's or KYB's change the ride height further? Has anyone tried both or these shocks? I know the Koni's can be adjusted, has any one gone through the effort to remove and adjust and reinstall the Koni's to try and improve the ride? Is it really worth the effort?
Any comments or feed back on this topic would be appreciated.

[MattVAS]

People have certainly done both.

Konis (about $375-450 for the set) - Most people set the to the soft setting for normal road use and never move them again. Which imho makes the kind of pointless as they are adjustable, but you're not using the function you're paying so much for.

KYB (about $120 for the set) - This is the old stand by and performs just as the should. Being gas charged they can add a little bounce.

VAS Hydrasports ($175 for the set) - We made our own Hydraulic shock just like the originals. Which price wise come in between the Konis and KYBS.

[JayBird]

It looks like the Koni iand Vick shocks are hydraulic and the KYBs are gas charged. Will the a hydraulic shock tend to lower my ride height a bit more? Will the a gas charged shock tend to increase the ride height? Will the gas shock tend to be a bit more bouncy?????

[Grover4535]

My opinion, if you can afford the Koni's, go with them. I like mine, but my wife really likes the improved ride so much over the old suspension ( stock springs with some odd ball shocks ). I did install new lowering springs with the Koni's.

KYB gas shocks tend to raise the ride and increase the tire- fender gap area. This defeats the installation of new, lowering springs.

Regards

[Odoyle]

To throw my two cents in, I have a set of VAS Hydrasports in my 77 which give a comfortable soft but on the firm side feel on the road, if that makes sense, and the price was right. They are paired with a set of autoricambi non progressive lowered springs, with approx 1 1/2 coils cut on the rear. Car has a nice stance, does not scrape on driveways or speed bumps, can fit 3 fingers between wheel and top of the fender on all 4 corners.

The set of KYBs in my 83 paired with original springs feels more stiff but still have a smooth feel on the road. The back sits slightly higher than the front and I can fit five fingers between the wheel and fender.