Killer Koni Coilovers...

[olerascal]

Been hanging onto my track suspension & wheels
in hopes I could return to running trackdays.
Finally came to difficult realization that my
40+ years of running trackdays are over.

This killer suspension transformed an ordinary X
into formidable track machine.
As UlixG, AndyJ, DeanR, & MarkF can testify after
driving it on Medford track.

Rebuilt Konis by Truechoice, $500 cost in 2005.
They also shortened the shafts...$680 cost!
Have the receipt, but can't photograph.

Purchased from Steve Hayward on Xweb, formerly on his DM X1/9.
Hypercoil brand 600 lb front & 450 lb rear on assembled struts.
Extra pair of 300 lb springs for less radical spring rates.
Static camber was good on front, but too much on rear.
I measured camber, calculated how much to move upper holes,
then drilled new upper holes on top of rear strut towers.

$800 cash & carry from Portland Oregon area.

Purchaser will also have first right to purchase my track wheels.
There are six of 13x8 BWA 4-spoke SportStars
& four of 13x7 Compomotive mesh (BBS) style.
All nicely polished & painted, taper seat lugs, OE centercaps.
225/45-13 Hoosier DOT R6 tires on the Compos.

Prefer not to deal with shipping at this time.
Perhaps later if no left coasties wanna be X heros! Ha!
Possible delivery to August 21 Mirafiori Gathering near Ashland Oregon.

 

[Ulix]

Yes, great setup! I drove it (and the appropriate tires) on Mike's otherwise almost stock X on track and it really does transform the car.

If your main focus is track driving, get it!

 

[ecohen2]

@carl needs those!

 

[roadster27]

Agreed, great setup. Very tempting MM. Gotta get the car running first. Working on that part this week

 

[Kevin B (Asheville NC)]

MIke: Sorry to hear about this decision. That being said, when it comes down to brass tacks, I need two of the BWA Sports Stars to complete the set I have. And I'm on the wrong coast. If anyone buys them and is willing to split them off, I am interested. Mike, If someone buys 4, and you are left with two, and are willing to ship, I'll be intertsted in the other two.

Gracias,
Kevin

 

[carl]

@carl needs those!

Carl does not need those, my rusty Konis and cut down stock springs are working just fine, Ed. In any event we are a tad far away from the west coast.
However, maybe Karl needs them.

 

[motoTrooper]

Hey Mike out of curiosity, would these be good for a street/track car with softer coils? Do the shocks have any adjustment? Do you have any pics of your car with them fitted? Ride height, shock travel, etc...
Thanks!
-Christopher

 

[Ulix]

Hi Mike,
the pics in your last post are not showing up.
Can you try that again?
I would love to see them!

 

[olerascal]

Hi Mike,
the pics in your last post are not showing up.
Can you try that again?
I would love to see them!

Thx Ulix...trying again...


600/450 springs are way overkill on street tires.
450/300 are still more spring than needed with street tires.
These struts are best used with race tires,

While you could purchase & install streetable spring rates,
I suggest checking out vendor offerings of turnkey streetable struts.


Optionally, if you only run a couple/few track events.
These struts make it relatively easy to transform ordinary X into hero X.

5 bolts per corner, sticky rubber, & you too can be a hero!
Afterwards, swap back to streetable springs & tires.

What you really need are the 8" BWAs...would look especially badass on a Scorpion!

Some pics you may find interesting.

1st 3 pics with 600f/450r springs:


Hooked up on corner exit.
x



Slight drift & counter steer on corner exit.
x



Slight inside front tire lift on tight corner.
x
************************************************************************************************************************



For comparison, some pics on racetires & streetable suspension.
Too much grip for 300f/200r spring rates:

Little too much body roll.




Way too much body roll, excessive tire lift.

Extreme circumstance of hard right after hard left.
x



Pic of 8" BWA SportStars



Only pic I have running 7" Compomotive wheels.
x



I'd planned on running a few more trackdays with killer suspension
on my last remaining Fiat...BlackX.
Last flogged on skinny tires & mild suspension.
Working hard to hold off pommy bringing up the rear.

x

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic...please consider it a 'bump' for your post.

In the past there have been lots of discussions on spring rates for coilovers on the X. But I don't recall the consensus about the front to rear spring bias; having the stiffer springs on the front or on the rear. I do remember it making a difference if the car has a sway bar(s). Also the wheel/tire choice, etc. Independant of the actual rates chosen (soft vs hard overall), what's the latest thinking regarding front/rear bias?

 

[Ulix]

I think there is a consensus for the race track: stiff in front.

This rides poorly on the street though, so a softer front spring with a swaybar added in the front can be used.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Thanks Ulix. That does sound familiar, with a difference between track and street applications (maybe why I could not recall the answer). Guess I should have specified, I was wondering for street use.

So how about street use but no sway bar? I assume the same as with bars? I believe the stock and most aftermarket ("sport") springs have the stiffer rates on the rears?

 

[elderair]

There is probably a special pricing on the wheels and coil overs IF they are going back on a certain BLUE X1/9! Hello Mike. We should talk again since the extra set of holes is still in the strut towers!

 

[Ulix]

Thanks Ulix. That does sound familiar, with a difference between track and street applications (maybe why I could not recall the answer). Guess I should have specified, I was wondering for street use.

So how about street use but no sway bar? I assume the same as with bars? I believe the stock and most aftermarket ("sport") springs have the stiffer rates on the rears?

Yes, stock and aftermarket springs have the stiffer springs in the rear.
Even my coilovers do. My rears are 50% stiffer than the fronts. Rides great on the street. I use it with an Addco front bar.
Works well on track too. If I did more track driving and less street, I would try out stiffer fronts.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Thanks Ulix.

Elderair, regarding the "certain blue X1/9", assuming you are referring the one in your earlier picture. What rear 'ducktail' spoiler is that? It looks like the same as one of the Midwestwest Bayless photos. They seem to be a very different profile than the others I've seen.




Somewhere on the MWB site there is a better picture of the second one. But they both have a very 'vertical' profile.

 

[rjplenter]

I think there is a consensus for the race track: stiff in front.

This rides poorly on the street though, so a softer front spring with a swaybar added in the front can be used.

I totally agree with the softer front spring and front swaybar.

 

[olerascal]

I think there is a consensus for the race track: stiff in front.
This rides poorly on the street though, so a softer front spring with a swaybar added in the front can be used.

Hey guys...thx for the bumps!
Confirming that stiffer front is not good for smooth street ride.

Even the lowbuck mod of cut OE rears on the front got tiresome on daily driver X.
Just like hot cam & rowdy exhaust got tiresome everyday.
So I went back to mostly stock X for normal yeoman duty.

However, for streetable hotrod, my favorite suspension
was red springs, cut/pigtailed slightly in front, KYBs, & front bar.
Slightly stiffer overall, but preserving the OE fore/aft balance kept ride reasonable.
while front bar reduced front roll & more responsive to steering inputs.

Hence, that setup is currently on my BlackX...earmarked to return to roots as streetable hotrodX.
Now...I dunno...a certain other light blue X has assumed 1st position...for now.
I suspect it could be a tad rowdy for geezer just aiming for topless, mellow backroad cruising.

Bottom line is my track struts are only suitable for track.
Big spring rates are unnecessary without grippy track tires.
The lighter rate spring combo is still overkill with street tires.
Even if lightest were used on front.

Ducktail spoiler was sourced from boneyard X 20 yrs ago, no ID on it.

 

[Kevin B (Asheville NC)]

That you MikeM. Wheels and extras arrived earlier this week while I was in the field, and just opened the box. A little teary eyed as I now realize that I have been searching for the wheels needed to complete my set for 16 years! You are awesome.

 

[olerascal]

That you MikeM. Wheels and extras arrived earlier this week while I was in the field, and just opened the box. A little teary eyed as I now realize that I have been searching for the wheels needed to complete my set for 16 years! You are awesome.

My pleasure to complete your set.
Thx for your inquiry,

which reminded me of your long term search.
So I decided to split off the pair for you.

As for the rest of my race gear,
Killer Coilovers & four 8" BWAs are pending sale.
7" Compomotives sold to nice young fella.
Both within driving distance,
so pack/ship drudge was avoided!
PTL for that.

With all the wide wheels now gone,
BlackX has come full circle from 20 yrs ago,
now wearing Daytonas & streetable suspension.
Those were previously on Lezesig's MeloYelo X.
Motor from MeloYelo is destined to repower
the tired 1500 in Black X.

 

[olerascal]

Pending sale of Killer Coilovers & 8" BWA SportStars is no more, so these items are now available.
Suspension price is now lowered to $700.
Buyer has first right to bundle with wheels for $1300 total.
Sorry, wheels not available until suspension is sold.
Suspension is so stiff that they'll need all the tire possible.
Read previous posts for specs on this gear.

Can't ship in near future due to upcoming spine surgery...5th time for spine surgery.
At such a bargain price, perhaps a non-local buyer can pay someone local to me to pack & ship.
If this gear doesn't sell, I'll keep 'em in hopes I'll be healthy enough to run trackdays in the future.