Spax Dampers

[944 man]

Does anyone have any experience of Spax dampers in a 944 or 968 application? Im more interested in the dearer spec, but Id welcome comments/anecdotes/opinions about any of their damper products for these cars.

I had planned to use GAZ, but theyre getting expensive and theyre far dearer than when I first considered them. Added to this they dont seem to wear well cosmetically and theyre difficult to deal with (ie their catalogue is absolutely sh*te), so Spax are starting to look attractive.


Simon

 

[DavidL]

Ewan put some reinserted Spax on is I think. Seems happy enough I believe.
Can't fault my KWs mind.

 

[944Scott]

What are you looking at RSX 104's ?

 

[Ewan]

JMG ended up using new Koni adjustable inserts on my car (not Spax) and I have to say this appears to have been a very good and sensibly priced choice.

 

[DavidL]

I stand corrected. Almost but not quite (right).

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: 944Scott

What are you looking at RSX 104's ?

RSX104s and RSX118s

As with every other suspension manufacturer, their website and catalogue is rubbish and suppliers simply copy and paste the information from the manufacturers sites, so finding out anything is like having teeth pulled.

I suppose that the chances of finding anyone who has driven both will be very slim...

 

[944Scott]

I have RSX 104's

These have only just been fitted to the car and I only have put around 700 miles on them so far. Being the more budget option the are only part coilvers (front) but all have adjustable damping, however if you wish you can have the rears converted into coilovers buy returning them to the factory. They quoted me £150 plus carriage plus vat to do the work but they have also advised that you need need to lower on the torsion bars then raise on the rear coilover if required, as my car will not be going on the track I decided against this and fitted the kit as stock.

The ride is good but then anything is going to be compared to the knackered units I removed, I bought these on a more budget basis with a view to lowering the front a little.

Only two gripes really, the first being the original strut has a flared edged around the area of the lower bolts that give the eccentric top bolt washer something to rub against when setting up camber (this is not present on the Spax unit, however the bolt hole is still elongated for adjustment) My second gripe is that the mounting brackets for the brake air scoops are welded on in slightly the wrong place which means to mak them fit they needed new holes drilled on thier outer edge.

You get one knurled knob with the kit for adjusting the damping on the front units, I plan to see if I can buy an additional one of these so I can modify them to be a permanent feature under the bonnet.

Oh if its a deal clincher you get a free baseball cap, lanyard and a couple of stikcers as well []

 

[bmnelsc]

ORIGINAL: Ewan

JMG ended up using new Koni adjustable inserts on my car (not Spax) and I have to say this appears to have been a very good and sensibly priced choice.

A fellow PCA member here has a '90 S2 into which he put the Koni inserts rather than replace with stock. He tells me the ride is pretty hard for street use - even on full soft. I can't say what British roads are like but over here in the colonies (Canada) we deal with potholes and the like every spring after Old Man Winter has had his way with us.

 

[os951]

Son chose Gaz because it was inexpensive. He also checked Spax which were even cheaper. Gaz quality looked better. Most likely Gaz is more or less the same as good old Leda. I am sure you will run into cosmetic difficulties with Gaz if you use your car during winter. We modified Gaz parts a bit because they didn't fit to son's project cars color scheme []

 

[Diver944]

Contact Rich Salmons on this forum (Rcsalmons). He has Spax coilovers on his 968CS (just sold [] ) and was really happy with them

 

[944 man]

Thanks Paul.

 

[edh]

I just looked on the Bilstein catalogue - I wasn't aware of a B6 kit for the later 944 - I've driven and passengered in e36's with these on and they are very composed.

It suggests they are inserts for Boge struts - I didn't think that was possible with the later struts?

Quite cheap here

 

[os951]

Later struts can be modified to fit with Bilsteins. I have done that several times. I prefer Bilsteins over Koni, Piston rod design is much more "heavy duty" than Koni have. Also more oil inside them, which means lower oil temperatures and better damping. I am going to make another set soon for a friend. Can insert some pictures then.

 

[944 man]

Id appreciate that Olli. I presume that they can be fitted into Turbo struts too?


Simon

 

[zcacogp]

Olli, I'd appreciate pictures of that as well, if you can. I wanted to put Bilsteins on my S2 several years ago, but understood that they only fitted the early model cars. I ended up with the Koni's - which are good, but I'm after alternatives when they bite the dust.


Oli.