Best autocross shocks for 3rd gen?
 

Need to replace my shocks. I was running with GAB Super HP's. Can't get them anymore. (For anyone who doesn't already know, GAB was bought out by another company, but the deal didn't proceed smoothly. GAB inventory is currently in limbo.) What does everyone recommend? Koni single-adj; Koni double-adj; Tokico 5-way; KYB agx's; Bilstein's? Keep in mind, I will be running in Solo II S-stock class; so, stock wheels & springs, 245/45R16's.

Please give me some feedback.

First off, try Mazdatrix; they may have some GAB Super R's in stock. Next best would be the Koni double adjustables; I believe Tripoint can take care of that as well as a bunch of others. I would then say Koni singles and then the Tokicos. I am running Koni singles in Super Stock and find they work well with the stock springs; they respond very well to fine adjustments. I know quite a few running the Tokico as well and they all seem happy. My feeling is that the Koni is built better but that's based on pure opinion. It's also fully rebuildable and you can get custom valving done.

I don't believe the others you mentioned are adjustable?

Best autocross shocks?

Custom valved anything. Penske, Koni 2812, JRZ, Aragosta, DMS, etc... expect to spend more than a set of really good rims.

In general, all of the typical dampers are good. Or get a cheap used set of Koni Yellows and send them to Proparts or TrueChoice and get them rebuilt/revalved. Prolly best bang for the buck there.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I checked over at Mazdatrix and they are saying the same thing. No longer available on the GAB's ... I'm thinking the Koni reds if they're available for the right price.

On the other hand, where can I find used Koni yellows?

Keep an eye on Parts Trader

I got my Koni yellows (single adjustable) from shox.com for $550 shipped; a great deal.

Right now TEIN is ranked the highest in Japan followed buy JIC. Of course it all comes down to how much money you want to spend. There is the HKS Hiper Damper Pro and Ohlins. So it's kinda a tough choice.

Also if you want economical KYB is good.. They actually subcontract for Tanabe and Mazdaspeed. Aragosa make the KnightSports system.

If you really want the BEST track system then it reallly won't be a system you want to drive on the street. I have the HKS Hiper Damper Max II and they are stiff as hell for the street.

KYB doesn't list an ADJUSTABLE (AGX) shock for the FD :(

Give me a coupla weeks and I'll report back how a set of Penske 8100's w/ 650/350 springs feel.

hey hedge hog,

I roadrace a 3rd gen at Mission raceway and I run 650/ 450 and this seems a good balance.this was the #'s recommended by mazda motorsports and the car is very nuetral. I also have the light mm front bar, stock rear bar.

wouter

Hi Wouter,

I had 550/450 and the rates seem ok. It was the dampers that was out of it. Anyhoo, the 650/350 was recommended by Guy Ankeny (www.ankenyracing.com). He was the brains behind the TriPoint SCCA A/SP champion FD.

If I find a set of used Koni "yellow" single adjustables, and am running the stock springs, and the stock touring swaybars, what value would I have the Koni's re-valved to ?

Same question, but with a Tri-point front swaybar.

I'll be running in SuperStock, so only front swaybar and shocks can be changed.

Thanks,
:-) neil

I got my Apexi T-Max triple tube 6 way adjustable shocks in just the other day :) have yet to see how they perform on the solo events

The Konis are already valved for the stock springs.

That's a question for Pro-Parts or Tripoint since they perform the service. Before you need to be revalved though you need to know what it is you want the shock to do that it isn't doing now. You don't just send them in and say "revalve these".

Given what I've read of how good the G.A.B. super R's are, is it worth it to find "New Old Stock" (NOS), even though super R's aren't made and are hard to service here in the USA ?

Or should I just stick with some Koni single-adjustable yellow's for about $300 less ?

I may have a line on some NOS G.A.B. super R's for about $800.

TIA,
:-) neil

Do you think you're a competitive enough driver that it will actually make a difference?

You can get a set of Konis for just over $500 and IIRC you can have a Koni custom valved and rebuilt for just over $100 each. So you would come out ahead by just buying a Koni and if you want to change the valving in the future you can change it to whatever the heck you want and still be near the price of the GAB.

The GAB is a very good shock but I wouldn't bother spending $800 on them in this case.

Where can i found Penske for FD ?