Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks

-----Original Message-----
From: John <spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tue, Jul 26, 2011 11:40 am
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks - Koni

1957-1964: The KG4507 ones are the front ones, the KG5511 model are the rears.. And true, KYB does not have OUR 1957-64 Mopars as an application for these shocks. However, it has been well-documented on the Forwardlook list that these work very well, and that the front ones fit only with a minor narrowing modification to the lower eye mounting.

1955-1956: I certainly cannot confirm this, but it appears that a circa 1980 Corvette shock application may be useful for the 1955/56 Plymouths, IF (and this only an IF, I do not claim to have firsthand knowledge) the suspension is similar to the Chrysler set up - in the thread below, a 1956 Chrysler owner mentions that he installed Corvette shocks - read this thread, as it seems that there are differences in even various models from the same manufacturer - I am unclear from what I've read whether it is the front or rear Corvette shock, so you must undertake further investigation on your own:
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=35913&posts=4&highlight=kyb&highlightmode=1#M269245

I am sure that in either case, you will not get the shock manufacturer's blessing.

John Spiers

From: Robert Tittle <rtittle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tue, July 26, 2011 2:54:57 PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks - Koni

I checked the KYB Site & could not find the 2 Part Numbers, KG 4507 & KG 5511. I dropped a line to the Tech Support guys & got this response:

The part numbers you mention are in our current inventory. If you visit any local CARQUEST, Advance, Or O'reilly auto parts store they could special order them for you. However please be advised, we do not catalog this particular application. To accurately identify the correct parts for your vehicle we would need dimensions of the units currently in use.

Thanks,

KYB

My answer was, “Got to be better than the Ford Truck Shock I have on her now.” My question is, which is the front Shock? 4507 or 5511?

Thanks

R.T>

From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List [mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gary Pavlovich
Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 12:48 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks - Koni

John,

Though I posted about the KYB shocks as a good alternative for our cars I would be interested in a set of the KONI shocks as well, but I think the specs for the 56 Ply would be different and not help with the order; but I could be wrong. You are right about the safety characteristics/value of the right shock for the spirited driving and panic maneuver; I am in your camp with that driving style/need.

Gary Pavlovich

402” Poly Stroker motor...

From: John

Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 7:01 AM

To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Subject: Re: [FWDLK] [Chrysler300] Shocks - Koni

Hi Mike -

I included you and your 300Hs in the "4-1/2" count of possible buyers for these Koni shocks.

I think there is not enough interest worldwide - so far it's me, you, another person from the 300 Club Int'l, and possibly Rick from the Forwardlook list (who didn't say how many). So, I have not asked the Koni rep anything further than the initial availability question below - right now, there is no pricing and no consideration to place these back into production..

The low interest in these shocks may just be the nature of the owner of these cars - most drivers of these cars take them out on slow Sunday drives, and have had them for many years, when there were nice runners available for four weeks' pay. In 2011, for many folks, paying more than a modest dinner for two out on the town for a set of four shocks is considered excessive - and is reflected by the near-zero interest this is generating here.

Myself, I get out in the cut & thrust of I-95 in South Florida and have to out-maneuver the media-estimated 30% of drivers who have NO car insurance at all. The added control afforded by the $130-$140 KYBs have saved my butt on many occasions - but there's room for improvement. I consider the KYBs good insurance, and for a one-time purchase, an excellent investment. And the car is more pleasant and fun to drive - I can only imagine what the Konis would be like. I would surely never go back to the stock-type shock absorber, ever.

I am copying this discussion over onto the Forwardlook list, and I welcome anyone to bring it to the 1959 Plymouth list, the Christine clubs, or any other related Mopar auto forum.

John

John,
I wonder what price range they are considering.

I paid $800 per car set for my Jaguars (6 shocks) .
They made such a terrific difference that I would be willing to buy 2 sets if necessary. If they're thinking $100 each, I wonder how it would change if we thought in terms of $200 each.
I would gladly pay $800 for a set of Koni shocks designed by Koni for my car.
I also wonder just where all the same shocks (as ours) were used originally, and hopw many of those folks we could interest.
Mike Moore

On Jul 25, 2011, at 9:13 PM, John wrote:

> CanMan & All!
>
> I sent the email below to see if there is any interest in Koni shocks for our
> 1957-1964 Mopars.
>
> So far, not including ole CanMan, I have heard interest in the Koni shocks
> totaling four and a half car sets. Only 45.5 sets to go!!
>
> The Koni US factory representative said fifty CAR SETS would be the minimum
> amount required to have the factory in Holland make a production run.
>
> Konis are an adjustable, super-premium shock at a super-premium price, used on
> many expensive high-speed European sports cars because of their superior control
> characteristics - a car set of four shocks for many cars often runs $600 or
> more. I know it is nearly impossible to convince someone who is used to paying
> $15/each for shocks that one could be worth 10x the price. Heck, even the KYBs,
> which I like very much and have on a couple of my early 60s Mopars and other
> cars, are beyond the pale for many at $30-$40 each - and they are well-worth the
> price in improved handling. I find it a little irritating that the KYBs are
> made in the Far East, though, but they have proven to be a long-lasting,
> well-made product. At least the Konis are made in Holland.
>
> To tell the story in more detail, I've only had Koni shocks on one car, a 1962
> Morgan Plus/4. When I got the car in 1980, with well over 100,000 miles on it, I
> ordered Konis right away. Much to my surprise, when I cleaned off the surface
> rust on the old shocks, they too were Konis, with a 1964 date of manufacture on
> them! The new ones I installed hardly made a difference, and the old ones still
> had one more "click" of adjustment left on them to stiffen up the rebound
> action, even being 16 years old at the time. I was impressed, and drove that
> car 65,000 miles in my ownership, with never a concern about shocks.
>
> One thing that just came to mind - There are US manufacturers that are making
> high-performance shocks for the likes of Camaros, Mustangs, etc., - I wonder if
> any of them would take a look at a set of KYBs as an example, and come up with a
> shock for us? Maybe there's a close fit that can be adapted - I'm messing
> around with a '72 Pinto wagon (who knows why?!), and installed KYBs all around -
> I had read, and since confirmed, that 1980s Camaro rear shocks fit and work very
> well on the rear of the Pinto.
>
> Cheers.
>
> John Spiers
>
> ________________________________

>
> How many do you have signed up, to get a set?
>
> How soon is this gonna happen?
>
> Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> To continue forward with this discussion about shock absorbers at the 300 Club
> listserver:
>
> Koni once made front and rear shocks to fit our cars.
>
> I recall having read a thread on the Imperial Club's website. I found it, and
> here it is, complete with misspellings:
>
> Tip from Philippe:
> Just a little story about shock absorbers, I think that it could help you and
> the Imperial owners. Last year I bought a 57 wrecked Crown (no glasses, rust
> everywhere, transmission « out »). This car was neglected since 1966 so all the
> parts on it were never replaced with aftermarket parts ! Except one thing : the
> shock absorbers! Maybe the original « Oriflow » weren't as strong as Chrysler
> said! I was very surprised when I removed the shocks : they aren't « made in
> Brazil or Mexico » as actual sold by K....R or B......M. There are KONI shocks,
> a very reliable & famous make (more expensive also). But I don't know if Koni
> make them always. Summit has Koni shocks on his catalog. I give you the
> reference (as they are the same from 57 to 65) : Front : 80 C 1229 Rear : 82
> 1066 Date of manufacturing : 11/64 If they are always manufactured, buy them and
> don't buy $80.00 for four : I bought 4 gaz charged absorbers (from kanter) :
> after one year, one was leaking and one was jamed ! Mexico made ...
> >>Follow-up from Dietmar:
> >>>You are right- KONI is the worlds best qualitiy shock absorbers for street and
> >>>race cars. They will serve You a 100 000 miles without any complain. I use them
> >>>on my IMP 60 so this havy car dont swim nor incline in the curve, I use KONI an
> >>>all sports car I have.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>---
> >>>
>
> So I sent an email to Koni North America, inquiring about the above mentioned
> part numbers. Here is the reply:
>
> From: "Mclaughlin, Paul - ITT Motion Technologies"
>
> Haven't had those part#'s for years... I think u have to buy 50 cars sets each
> to get run made in Holland.
>
> Paul McLaughlin
> Koni Shock Absorbers
> ITT Corporation
> Racing Technical Sales Rep.
> 1961A International Way
> Hebron, Ky. 41048
> 800-922-2616 option 6
>
> ---
>
> I checked on prices of Koni shocks. They are much more than the KYBs - for
> example, on Koni's website, a pair of front shocks for a 1970 Dodge Challenger
> lists for $320/pair (online price, $240) and the rear pair list for $380 (online
> price, $285). And they do go for upwards of $500/pair in some cases.
>
> To make the minimum order, I think it would be difficult to convince a total of
> 50 people worldwide, between both 300 clubs, the Imperial Club, both Christine
> clubs, and all the members of the Forwardlook list, to drop $600 on a set of
> Koni shocks, when there are discussions of the KYBs being far too expensive at
> over $100/set . . . and I wouldn't drive another one of these cars without at
> least KYBs on it. The difference, to you who don't know, is like AM radio
> versus satellite radio.
>
> I personally would buy at least 2 sets of the Konis, after experiencing the
> profound difference of KYBs, and knowing the Konis are another quantum leap
> forward - I've only run them 65,000 miles on one car I've owned (a '62 Morgan
> +4) and was very impressed. One important and interesting feature of the Konis,
> is that they are adjustable for firmness/softness in their rebound action.
> http://www.koni-na.com/comp.cfm
>
> Cheers,
>
> John Spiers
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> There are some H.D. choices out there. Not many cheap one though.
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-Heavy-Duty-Shock-Absorber/dp/B001HIAMWU/ref=au_pf_pfg_s?ie=UTF8&Model=300%7C2489&n=15684181&s=automotive&Make=Chrysler%7C39&Year=1970%7C1970&newCar=1&carId=001
>
> Bill Huff
>
> At 7/21/201111:58 AM, Michael Moore wrote:
> >I installed those on my 300H and was grateful to get them.
> >I wish they were stiffer though.
> >Its almost as though there are no shocks on the car, but insofar as
> >I know, that's all thats available.I wish Koni made a set to fit.
> >Mike Moore
> >300H
> >
> >
> >On Jul 21, 2011, at 8:41 AM, Tony Bevacqua wrote:
> >
> > > KYB shocks. KG4507 and KG 5511 are the correct ones. I just made a
> > > purchase for my 57 (shocks are correct for 1957 to 1964, I believe).
> > > $116.32 for the 4 shocks, plus handling, etc.
> > > Tony
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> > > Behalf Of Marshall Larson
> > > Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 8:26 AM
> > > To: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > Subject: [Chrysler300] Shocks.
> > >
> > > Any suggestions for an appropriate brand and model of shocks for a G. I
> > > don't need anything exotic, just proper ride and to deal with the radials
> > > that are on the car. All suggestions appreciated.
> > >
> > > MN Marshall
> > >

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