Alright, this is a dumb question but I'm curious and don't know anyone who actually owns them to ask. Basically is there a screw on the shock you turn with a screwdriver to adjust the height? Are there settings you turn it to so you can make sure you have the same on both sides? I'm thinking about new shocks and springs sometime down the road, just doing some research, thanks guys.

 

I will mainly comment on the KYB AGX since that's what I have. There is an adjustment **** on the side of the shock, adjustable in increments of 1 to 8, with 1 being soft (still stiffer than stock Decarbons), 8 being the stiffest. Here's a pic of what the KYB looks like installed:



One of the criticisms of the KYB is that by turning the ****, you're adjusting for both rebound and compression, which is less precise. Koni rear shocks adjust from the top of the shock rod, which means you can adjust them from inside of the car. (Sorry, not sure how you adjust the front Konis.) Koni sells both single and double adjustable shocks where you adjust for rebound and compression separately. Here's a link explaining rebound and compression:

http://www.afcoracing.com/tech_pages/shocks.shtml

I spent a lot of time researching shocks in the various F-Body forums and one thing you're going to find is that the issue of shocks is similar to the LS v. LT rivalry. You're going to get a lot of opinions as to which is better, but I think the general consensus is that if you go with any of the top recommended shocks, they're going to be WAY better than the stock Decarbons.

Hope this helps.

 

I've owned some Koni adjustables that required that you compress the shaft fully to the bottom of the travel, then turn the shaft to adjust the orifice that controls fluid flow.... not too convenient with a "coil-over" setup.

Note that there are single-adjustable and double-adjustable (jounce and rebound). And there are some high-end adjustables that can be controlled electronically from the dash.

The QA1/HAL's have a **** at the base.

http://members.aol.com/InjuneerZZ/im...otos/shk01.jpg

http://members.aol.com/InjuneerZZ/im...otos/shk06.jpg

Second photo, courtesy of Shoebox

 

Adjustable shocks are not adjustable for height. Inside the shock you have oil that flows through an orifice as the shock compresses or extends. The size of the orifice and the viscosity of the oil determine how much resistance the shock has to compression or extension force. The adjustability of a shock has to do with changing the size of the orifice to increase or decrease the flow, which makes for more or less resistance to extension or compression. So for instance, you can compensate for stiffer springs by making the compression damping softer and the rebound (extension) stiffer.

 

Thanks guys. I still have lots to read up on but you've helped point me in the right direction. How much does the spring come into play here? I want to keep the stock height (crappy roads around here), can I just swap out the shocks and be happy or can I find better springs that retain my stock height but still provide better handling?

 

hal qa1's will allow you to adjust the ride height.
The koni's have a slot of the top of the shock in the front. You stick a allen wrench or something similar in there and adjust them by "sweeps".

In the rear they have a **** that you put on the top of the shock. There is a small piece of the shock sticking out above it, the **** fits over it and allows you to turn them for stiffness adjustments.

Other shocks will have similar adjustment methods. Either *****, slots, or a small tool.

 

Yes, you can put new shocks on with the stock springs and improve handling. I'd recommend upgrading the swaybars too. A Strano front bar is a good starting point.

Thanks for the correction Slomarao, I wasn't thinking of drag shocks.

 

I've done a lot of little things on my car, mainly cosmetic. If I had to do it over again, I'd do the following:

1. Skip shift eliminator
2. Shocks
3. Other stuff

I couldn't believe the difference better shocks made in both ride and handling. The only other thing that I think could make as big a difference is going from crappy tires to good ones. And yes, even if you stick with stock springs (I did - my driveway is almost too steep for stock ride height) changing shocks will make a very noticeable difference. But if you're planning on changing springs or lowering your car, do a lot of reading and research so you'll make the right choice.

 

id go
1.pcm tune/cags
2. sfc's
3. shock's
4.gears
etc
etc

 

Just so everyone is clear, none of the Koni's for the F-body are this way.... Certain ones have to be taken off to be adjusted, but most don't, and there are shocks for both ends of the car that are adjustable for damping in place.

FWIW, the poster is confused a bit between adjustable height shocks and adjustable damping shocks. When we talk of adjsutable shocks it's the damping we are referring to. If you hear someone talk of "coil-overs" or weight jackers those are the ones that adjust height.

KW Suspension makes coil-over/weight jacking setup for the 4th gen that includes independent adjustment of both compression and rebound damping on the shock.

 

Don't the Koni shocks have two spring perches to allow for a 3/4" drop?

 

They do have two positions for the perch. They do not screw up and down, you have to disassemble the shock to make that change. More simply put the perch rests on a clip. The clip can be put in one of two grooves. One is stock height, the other a bit lower and the result is about a 5/8"-3/4" drop in front height. Plus the Koni's are rebound damping adjustable.