Miata Mailing List: October 1993, Message #74
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   From: Herb Samuels 
Subject: Konis, Tokikos, and GABs
   Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1993 09:10:34 -0400

Thanks for all the previous posts on my question concerning the
possible advantages of Koni, Tokiko, and GAB adjustible shocks.  The
Koni shocks only adjust rebound while the Tokiko and GABs
simultaneously adjust both compression and rebound. It seemed that
anyone who had any of these adjustible shocks were happy with them. 
Being a novice in suspension design I assumed that the simultaneous 
adjustment of compression and rebound vs.just rebound was a better 
feature.  I recently talked to a technical advisor at Koni who 
used to race cars and seems to know alot about supensions.  However,
since he works for Koni, he may have given me a biased answer.

He claimes that it is better to only adjust the rebound than to
simultaneously adjust both compression and rebound.  He felt that
the compression is best controlled by the springs while the role of
the shocks is to control rebound to maintain correct tire contact with 
the road.  By only adjusting rebound, the car will not have as harsh a 
ride as with shocks where both compression and rebound and change
since those shocks the compression will be affected by both the 
springs and shocks. The implication is that Koni shocks will give both 
handling control and a good ride when stiffened while the Tokiko and 
GAB shocks will give a relatively harsher ride to achieve the same
rebound to achieve the same handling control. 

His argument makes sense but is it correct in the real world.  I 
guess the only ones whe would know are those who have driven and
compared the ride and handling in Miatas with Koni, Tokiko, and GABs. 
Is there anyone out there who has or does anyone have any ideas on
this? 

Thanks

Herb Samuels