KR struts/shocks.

[golkhl]

Looking into replacing the struts/shocks on my 08 Bullitt. Buyfordracing.com is selling the Shelby KR struts/shocks for $209 for all four, seems like a good deal. The Bullitt is my daily driver and most likely will never see a road course, are these(along with some steeda ultralight springs and steeda strut mounts), a good choice? Or should I spend the extra money and go with Koni's? Just looking for some feedback to help me make the right decision for my suspension mods.

 

[Sam Strano]

I'll give the same reply as I did on IMBOC...

Well, you are comparing apples and oranges....

Koni's are aftermarket, completely different in terms of how they are valved and built. One huge difference is that Koni's have a lifetime warranty, Ford struts/shocks do not have any such thing. Ford unit's do no last as long, and do not offer the rebound control (which is what gives the car the tied-down, stable feel) the Koni's do. At the same time Koni's work better on the impact harshness side and make sharp, short bumps less jarring too.

I assume you migth be comparing Koni STR.T to these. I think it's a no-brainer since Koni STR.T's aren't exactly a million bucks @ $399/set. Sure, it's a $190 less for those KR's.... but think it out. Koni's are good for a long, long time and better dampers all the way around--all for the price of about 5 tanks of gas.

I'll add to it, since I had 5 more minutes to think about it that Ford dampers are what you are looking to replace--with more Ford dampers. And those are still built to a price, everything OEM is some kind of compromise. The tune, how much power it makes, how it handles, how it rides, you name it.

The road course thing is irrelevant. The car has mass and spring rate and bumps, and all that to deal with on the street.... often that's worse than a racetrack or autocross course. There it's about control first, and often we want more which is why I run Koni Sports. If you want something less "big" that's what STR.T's are for!

 

[kevinatfms]

def dont buy the KR's. i have been running them for quite some time and they just make the ride very harsh. i have done a few hpde events and it seems that they cant plant the car correctly. i have talked to a few people on this forum and during the track days and they all say the same thing, go for the upgrade and dont look back.

ill be ordering a set of STR's here soon enough once my L build is complete

 

[golkhl]

Thanks for the input in regards to the KR struts/shocks, just what I needed to hear. Looks like the Koni STR's are the way to go. How would these work with stock Bullitt springs? Or am I better off going with the steeda ultralights. Either way I want upgrade to the Steeda strut mounts. Thanks again.

 

[Sam Strano]

Thanks for the input in regards to the KR struts/shocks, just what I needed to hear. Looks like the Koni STR's are the way to go. How would these work with stock Bullitt springs? Or am I better off going with the steeda ultralights. Either way I want upgrade to the Steeda strut mounts. Thanks again.

The STR.T's will work with both stock and mild lowering springs (like Sports, which I prefer, or Ultralites). I would not recommend streets with heavy lowering springs like, say... H&R Race, that's beyond what they are meant to control.

FYI the reason that German cars drive so well it they run damping that's heavier relative to the spring. STR.T's with stock springs is a very similar situation. Because of the firm rebound damping, they can handle a bit extra spring rate without issue. In fact they are meant to be a economy performance damper, and they really did a good job with them.