Steeda Pro-Action vs. Koni STR.T on '07 GT

GT97222

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Hi All,

I've been doing research the last couple days looking for good struts/shocks. It's a stock '07 Mustang GT and I'll be using these dampers with a modest 1-1.5" drop, progressive spring with softer spring rate.

My primary goal is comfort. I won't track this car at all.

Anyone have any information or opinions on either one of these dampers? Does one of these stand out in terms of quality? Again I'm interested in discussing comfort and ride quality. I'm not considering any other dampers out of this price range.

Thanks
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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If your intention is to lower the suspension between 1-1.5" I wouldn't recommend neither of those. Both the Steeda Pro Action and Koni STR.T dampers are designed and valved for the stock ride height. Anything beyond a one inch drop requires a damper that is specifically valved and compatible for lowering spring applications. Needless to say, unless the product description clearly states the dampers are recommended for lowering spring applications? they are not compatible. That being said, I would recommend either Ford Performance Parts M-18000-A, Koni Sport Adjustable 8241 1240SPORT 8741 1494SPORT or Roush Performance 401297-401298. Here's the link provided below for the Ford Performance Parts dampers.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-18000-A
 

dark steed

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If your intention is to lower the suspension between 1-1.5" I wouldn't recommend neither of those. Both the Steeda Pro Action and Koni STR.T dampers are designed and valved for the stock ride height. Anything beyond a one inch drop requires a damper that is specifically valved and compatible for lowering spring applications. Needless to say, unless the product description clearly states the dampers are recommended for lowering spring applications? they are not compatible. That being said, I would recommend either Ford Performance Parts M-18000-A, Koni Sport Adjustable 8241 1240SPORT 8741 1494SPORT or Roush Performance 401297-401298. Here's the link provided below for the Ford Performance Parts dampers.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-18000-A

http://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Products/Sport-Tuning/STR-T-Kit/

Not true about the lowered issue. Koni sells these as a kit with H&R 1.5” lowering springs.
It states here that they are compatible with 40 mm lowering springs (1.57”)


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06 T-RED S/C GT

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Then it appears the Koni STR.T dampers are compatible for both stock ride height and for 40mm lowering spring applications (1.57") Meanwhile, thanks for the heads up.

However, I would still recommend the Ford Performance dampers M-18000-A over the Koni STR.T and Steeda Pro Action due to the Monotube design vs twin tube.
 

dark steed

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Then it appears the Koni STR.T dampers are compatible for both stock ride height and for 40mm lowering spring applications (1.57") Meanwhile, thanks for the heads up.

However, I would still recommend the Ford Performance dampers M-18000-A over the Koni STR.T and Steeda Pro Action due to the Monotube design vs twin tube.

I hope that didn’t come off as sounding contentious, just adding my understanding of them.
And they are right at the edge with a 1.5” drop too


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dark steed

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Koni oranges suck. They are known to fail and leak oil. Do not waste your money. Get Bilsteins if you want comfort.

Well crap, I have some I bought from Greg about 5 years ago and never got around to installing them. Now I don’t know whether to install them since they are already bought or sell them before they break! Lol


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06 T-RED S/C GT

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I hope that didn’t come off as sounding contentious, just adding my understanding of them.
And they are right at the edge with a 1.5” drop too


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Didn't come off as sounding contentious at all, at least IMO anyhow, so it's all good here. If the OP decides on the Koni STR.T dampers? then they are compatible for both stock and lowering spring applications just as the Koni website product description that you provided states. Therefore, the OP shouldn't encounter any compatibility issues whatsoever. However, from personal experience, If I had to do it all over again, I would've selected either the Ford Performance Parts M-18000-A or Roush Performance 401297-401298 over my Koni Sport yellow adjustable dampers. IMHO, monotube design dampers are better suited and more durable when it comes to sport suspension and lowering spring applications.

Koni oranges suck. They are known to fail and leak oil. Do not waste your money. Get Bilsteins if you want comfort.

If you're referring to Bilstein B6 HD dampers? they are not designed nor valved for lowering spring applications. According to Bilstein's website product description, there is no mention regarding compatibility with lowering spring applications, but clearly state they're designed for OE ride height applications. However, If your referring to Bilstein B8 dampers which are designed exclusively for lowering spring applications? Following my research with 2 Bilstein tech support reps that I spoke with on the phone, there is no B8 part# available for the 2005-14 S197 Mustang platform. In addition, this topic was also brought up on post# 26645, 26646, 26647, 26648, 26649, 26651, 26655, 26656 and post# 26658 on page#1333 in the thread link provided below.

https://www.s197forum.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-mustang-today.56419/page-1333
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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Well crap, I have some I bought from Greg about 5 years ago and never got around to installing them. Now I don’t know whether to install them since they are already bought or sell them before they break! Lol


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If they break? they are covered under Koni's full lifetime warranty policy.. Just make certain you have the original sales invoice from the person you purchased them from?
 

GT97222

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Good feedback. The Ford performance are a little spendy. I was hoping to pay under $500 for a set.
 

JEWC_Motorsports

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If they break? they are covered under Koni's full lifetime warranty policy.. Just make certain you have the original sales invoice from the person you purchased them from?
No they arent. They would not cover multiple people's sets and they went in the trash. Why? because lowered car. B12's will work.
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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No they arent. They would not cover multiple people's sets and they went in the trash. Why? because lowered car. B12's will work.
I can't speak for multiple people's sets. All I know is they are covered under warranty for the original owner/purchaser.. This I know thru personal experience as I have the lifetime warranty policy in writing from Koni for my Koni Sport yellow adjustable dampers and my car is lowered with the Eibach Pro Kit Springs which are also included with the Koni and Eibach pro spring kit packages. Regarding the Bilstein B8 dampers? As mentioned on page 1333 in the what have you done to your mustang today thread, there is no B8 part number available for the 2005-14 S197 mustang platform. That info was provided by 2 different tech support reps I spoke with from Bilstein.. They also confirmed the product description on their website which claim the dampers included in their B12 Pro kit are B8 dampers are in reality B6 dampers.. Needless to say, I was informed the B8's listed in the B12 Pro Kit description is inaccurate and will be brought to the attention of the website department to be corrected/updated with the correct product description info. Also, just to make certain we're on the same page, when you mentioned that B12's will work, are you referring to the Bilstein B12 Pro kit or are you referring to Bilstein B12 dampers that I am not aware of? If they are in fact Bilstein B12 dampers that are compatible for the 2005-14 S197 mustang platform? I'd be really interested in knowing what that part number is :shrug:
 
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06 T-RED S/C GT

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If you look at the image posted, the part number stamped on the strut body is 35-128717 which is exactly the same part number for the Bilstein B6 HD struts. Therefore I suggest that you read over the posts on page 1333 in the thread link provided. That being said, you'll find all the info confirmed there without having to re-hash everything all over again. And Btw: I attempted to ask Vorshlag what their Bilstein part numbers were.. Needless to say, they avoided providing any info regarding part numbers lol.

https://www.s197forum.com/threads/what-have-you-done-to-your-mustang-today.56419/page-1333

jpg_DSC7043-Recovered_20copy-XL_2048x@2x.jpg
 
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JEWC_Motorsports

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Did you even read the description of the Vorshlag Bilsteins? They are shortened to use with lowering springs.
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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JEWC_Motorsports

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From Vorshlag, The Vorshlag-Bilstein StreetPro kit is made up of several companies' best components, coming together into a ready-to-install suspension system, tailor made for a multipurpose S197 Mustang. The shortened Bilstein inverted monotube struts and rear shocks are paired with a matched set of lowering springs, assembled inside Vorshlag spherical adjustable camber/caster plates up front.


These are their words...
 

06 T-RED S/C GT

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Certain vendors often resort to what is known as marketing hype in their product descriptions in order to boost sales/attract more customers, but unfortunately don't provide any real proof or documentation to confirm nor back it up with. That being said, I prefer to go by what the Manufacturer (Bilstein) has confirmed regarding the Bilstein B6 HD dampers which also are part number 35-128717
 
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NickD87

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Another option is strange adjustable, I use them with BMR sp009 springs (1.5”) and the ride is nicer on the street then you would expect, it actually impressed my mechanic who swore I would hate them as he said a drag shock would be under damped.
It’s a great multi use set up, street car first, but I do road course events and drag and they have worked great.


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06 T-RED S/C GT

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Good feedback. The Ford performance are a little spendy. I was hoping to pay under $500 for a set.

Just as the saying goes " You get what you pay for" Anyhow, if you check vendors such as Late Model Restoration, American Muscle, Steeda Autosports, CJ Pony Parts and Summit Racing? you more than likely can get them at either lower cost or marked down as being on sale. That being said, I'd rather pay a bit more knowing that you have the correct part designed for your particular application rather than save a few bucks on a part that isn't really compatible :shrug:

Another option is strange adjustable, I use them with BMR sp009 springs (1.5”) and the ride is nicer on the street then you would expect, it actually impressed my mechanic who swore I would hate them as he said a drag shock would be under damped.
It’s a great multi use set up, street car first, but I do road course events and drag and they have worked great.


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I've also considered strange adjustable's but I'm not really very familiar with their products. Also from my understanding, the BMR sp009's are considered as having a softer spring rate, so i'm thinking perhaps it's the BMR sp009 springs that are providing the softer ride quality rather than from the strange adjustable dampers your running :shrug:
 

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