Koni back-order; wait for all 4 before install?

[FullAhead]

Hey everybody, new around these parts. 2 events in, I have the autocross bug bad. I ordered some Koni Sports for my '14 track-pack. As I'm sure many of you know the rears are on back order until early August. I have it on good authority that installing just the fronts (as they're all that have arrived at this point) and running a few events should be nothing but helpful, but I'd like to hear some other experienced mustang autocrossers chime in as well.

Thanks!

 

[white86hatch]

It won't hurt. Just won't be optimal. Are you only replacing the shocks and struts or are you doing other upgrades as well??

 

[FullAhead]

Just the shocks and struts for now. A combination of home projects and waiting to see how next year's rules shake out are keeping me from springing for anything else at the moment. Putting a lot of thought into balancing the car for my DD and 6-8 autocross per year needs.

 

[white86hatch]

Just the shocks and struts for now. A combination of home projects and waiting to see how next year's rules shake out are keeping me from springing for anything else at the moment. Putting a lot of thought into balancing the car for my DD and 6-8 autocross per year needs.

Ha! Welcome to the club. The rules wait is killing me.

 

[inspite]

It will be great with just the fronts, and even better with the rears too. My guess is that you will push a little without the rears.

 

[SilverMustangGT]

I had the same problem last year. I installed just the front struts and had a problem with oversteer. It was still drivable, but I just had to be easy with the gas pedal.

 

[csamsh]

I had the same problem last year. I installed just the front struts and had a problem with oversteer. It was still drivable, but I just had to be easy with the gas pedal.

Where was it oversteering? Corner entry? Exit? Steady state? Oversteer would be the last thing I'd expect with so much front rebound unless you were running some weird bar/tire pressure combo... Not challenging you, just curious.

 

[Sam Strano]

I'd put them in. If nothing else keep them soft to keep the rebound rates more like stock (and Koni's range means that full soft is not much more than stock, but some).

I suspect what the guy who stated he had oversteer was finding when he did fronts before rears was that the front was reacting more quickly (which is what happens with more rebound) to steering input, and the rear wasn't able to keep up.. then you get a rubber band kind of effect where the rear will want to snap on you. Example of how the car only works as well as the weaker end will allow. Again, just keep the rebound down.

 

[SilverMustangGT]

I'd put them in. If nothing else keep them soft to keep the rebound rates more like stock (and Koni's range means that full soft is not much more than stock, but some).

I suspect what the guy who stated he had oversteer was finding when he did fronts before rears was that the front was reacting more quickly (which is what happens with more rebound) to steering input, and the rear wasn't able to keep up.. then you get a rubber band kind of effect where the rear will want to snap on you. Example of how the car only works as well as the weaker end will allow. Again, just keep the rebound down.

Yes, that's pretty much describes what was happening to my car. It was much more noticeable at higher speeds.
I did have the front shocks at full soft and the rear tire pressure at around 28psi. I couldn't go any lower due to tire rollover. I just couldn't get on the gas very early during corner exit.