KONI coil over sleeve kits

[DRiiFT_King]

hey,
i heard about these sleeve kits that koni make for ae86's there like $110 for each corner, and they go over you normal gas shocks and you use springs from a coil over set, and you've got you self some decent coil-overs, has any one done this here? what did it end up costing you? are they any good?
cheers

[EVIL 86]

damd i was thinken about posten the exact same thing tonight also in one of the recent driftbattle mags there was an add for same style thing can some one explain this concept what needs to be done ? and all other info as it seems pretty good deal

thanks
dave

[DRiiFT_King]

i get the inpression that you just find some nice sport gas shocks, the sleeve kit and springs, then it should just fit in, hopefully, mix and match

[RobertoX]

Not too sure about the Koni ones exactly but the sleeve kits go on the outside of your struts, you cut off the spring perch, chop the strut down to suit the length of your chosen insert, weld it back together and the sleve goes over the outside of the strut. The sleeve will sit on the weld that you have made.... or be welded to the strut, depends on which way you choose to do it. The sleeves usually fit a 65mm ID spring for sprinter struts.

Then you will need a spring hat to fit the new springs and you are all set to go... It may be a good time to select a strut that sports a larger stub axle, this will give you an oppurtunity to upgrade your brakes.

This is for macpherson struts, there is also the sort of arrangement that you describe available for conventional spring and shock arrangement (as in the rear end of the sprinter), where the seperately mounted spring is relocated to the shock body to create a coilover arrangement. this basically has a spring perch on the top half of the shock and a threaded perch on the bottom half. I've only ever seen this done on a sprinter once before and unfortunately I didnt get too close a look at the details. I think the raceflo car has also had this done, but not too sure.

hope this helps

[DRiiFT_King]

yeah, thanks it starting to get clearer, any other info would help

[RobertoX]

this might help

[RobertoX]

hahaha, i was waiting for this topic!

it is not just the adjustment in coilovers that makes them good. It is the fact the spring perch and part of the strut must be cut off to run the car lower while maintaining captivity of the spring. Pretty much most ae86 coilovers are set once and forget in terms of height. stupid stub axle! if you look at some late model silvia coilovers a lot of them are "body" adjustable meaning the body is adjusted not the springs preload platform...you see?

If you weld these on to your stock height strut then your car will be a) high, or the spring will be grossly uncaptive!

so basically you need to pay someone (who knows what they are doing) to cut down your strut to the correct length, and then select a shorter and firmer insert. and then get a spring to suit.

Alternatively i could make some coilovers for you for $770 a pair, with all the running around and guess work taken out of it...

having said that...we use these coilover sleeves in our coilovers.


Good Luck

[ae86 slide]

$770, is that including the inserts and springs. all done ready to go?

[DRiiFT_King]

do use the standard shocks? what spring rates can you do? do you have any photos of ones you've made up?

[Wally]

Sorry for the Offtopic post, but DRiiFT_King where did you get the picutre of the engine from in your sig?