Help me spend my money

[andy198712]

Are koni reds still not top of the pile?

Very interesting thread though!

[Piledriver]

Koni reds were good...
Unfortunately no longer made.

There is a thread on Gaz and Spax shocks as an alternative.
The Bilsteins are also still available.

Even the Monroe-matics still work well, and are available in separate F/R models
Some of the shocks are same F&R for some models, which means the front is probably too stiff.

[Marc]

4x15" rims were used on Beetles through Feb `72 and were all ET40.
From Feb `72 through July `73 there was a 4½x15" ET34 (less backspace to clear the 1302 Super front coil springs) ...there was a 4½" ET34 "Sports Wheel" also, as well as the "Marathon" (AKA "World Champion") 4½" ET34 in `72.
From then on all 4½x15" Type I rims were ET41, including the Sports Wheels.

Mid`68 Karmann-Ghias, all 4-lug Type III, and all Type IV and some 914/4s used a 4½" ET46 rim - it fits fine on the rear of any Beetle/Super, but may rub on the front coils of a 1302 Super (and may rub on the lower control arm of a Beetle if the Pitman arm stops aren't cranked in a little, or spacers utilized). These ones are easy to identify from the backside, they're the only 4½" that has a finger-wide space between the welds and the hump of the bell.

The 5½" Sports Wheel offered from Feb`72 through July `73 yields the widest track width and has the most aggressive appearance (but also increases the front scrub radius some) while the ET40 gives better fender clearance, although it may require cranking in the Pitman arm stops to guarantee inner sidewall clearance to the front lower control arm. ET34 has no issues and is arguably the best compromise, but any can be made to work. Many Audi 5000s with steel rims used 14x1.5mm lugbolts which are longer than the stock Beetle item and can be used if you choose to run ~¼" pass-through spacers without studding your drums/rotors.

[andy198712]

koni's... http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?p=29801787&a=i


http://konimarket.com/collections/volks ... front-2813

[Piledriver]

Cool someone still has them in stock, I believe the early KP fronts will work on a T3 as well.

I just personally don't consider them worth 2X what Bilsteins, GAZ or SPAX cost, or 4X what Monroes do, save for bragging rights.

The GAZ and SPAX shocks are user rebuildable, KONI wanted $200 to rebuld one last I checked.
The "lifetime warranty" doesn't cover normal wear, or rust.

There are rebuildable and revalvable racing Bistiens available for less than the Konis, Bilstien will valve them to your specs, but have a pretty good idea on what a T1 needs after making them for 50 years.

Last I checked Bilstein gets $75 to rebuild one of their shocks.

[andy198712]

How much does one cost? Any links?

[Bad Bob]

I see Pacific Customs (and others) sell a 15X5.5 OEM wheel. Any thoughts on that and how wide of a tire would fit?

[Piledriver]

I see Pacific Customs (and others) sell a 15X5.5 OEM wheel. Any thoughts on that and how wide of a tire would fit?

205/60s work OK on the mexican 5.5" steelies, (as noted, I and IIRC Helo are running them on 914 alloys)
...but 6.5" or 7" would be the "ideal" wheel width for a 205. 175-195 likely better on a 5.5,.
Must check your offset though, and it's also about an inch shorter than a 165/80
(~5 mph high @70MPH speedo difference)
The 205-65s will work on the back but the sidewalls get pretty flexi.

I would look for something in a Centerline or Weld wheel, unsprung weight matters, and steel wheels weigh a ton, even the stock ones are ~25 lbs.
I recently picked up some Wide5 racing rims (for AX) 7x15 weighs 8.3 lbs, 10X15 weighs 9.5.

There is a current thread going on SPAX and GAZ shocks, susp and handling subforum.
I think the UK based companies should merge, I would so roll with a "SPAZ Suspension" sticker.

Hmmm....

[andy198712]

Lol would raise an eye brow or 3! I'll look into those! Are they adjustable? Mind you, if they cone at the correct setting they wouldn't need to be...

[Piledriver]

Lol would raise an eye brow or 3! I'll look into those! Are they adjustable? Mind you, if they cone at the correct setting they wouldn't need to be...

The SPAZ, er, SPAX and GAZ (both made in the UK) are rebound adjustable, and may have a dual adjustable model that will work if funds allow.
They also offer a range of inexpensive full coil overs, they seem to be popular with the 7even/locost crowd.

Both have modern external adjusters, no removing the shock, compress, turn shaft fully CCW, turn 3 steps to the left, 4 steps to the right, swing your partner, do-se-do etc. etc.

I would check the thread for details.

The Bilsteins are "self adjusting" based on conditions supposedly, but have been used for eons, are highly recommended and relatively inexpensive.
The "normal" Bilsteins are orderable even via Autozone etc. in the US.

The Bilstein racing shocks are user rebuildable (seals), as IIRC are the GAZ and SPAX.

[Steve Arndt]

I have a set of near zero mile rear IRS Bilsteins for sale. I switched to koni reds set to firm. The bilsteins were so firm I couldn't compress the rear end of my baja.

[Bad Bob]

So, looking at tire specs, a 195/65 diam. is 25". The same as my 165's on my car now. Any clearance issues with a "gas burner" (wife approved) style 5.5" wheel ? I think this might work for me.

[Piledriver]

It will easily work on the back if the wheel has the deep T1 or Porsche offset.
May need to slice a bit off the bump stop steel bit on top., you want ~ 1/2" clearance to the inner sidewall.
The sidewalls will be a little flexi, but not too bad.
It will handle better with /60s (also drops the car a tiny bit)

The 195/65 may be tallish on the front, but if you are not lowering should be fine.

[Bad Bob]

IMG_0689.JPG

I stripped the pan today and found 21 MM bars inside. Should I go to a 22 or 23.5 bar? My spring plates are swing axle that I plan to cut to fit the IRS arms, so I would prefer to stay with a short bar.

[helowrench]

What length are those?