I ran across these searching the web. eshocks.com/bil_Ind.asp?VC=2Q59&SubChar=Q&Spec=Baja

Are these the correct shocks? They have the right numbers but not sure about the HO suffix.

How do I tell if I have the Boge style?

Are the Bilsteins better or worse than the Konis?

Seems to be a big difference in prices.

Bilsteins do not appear to be adjustable, is that correct?

Thanks for any answers.

944Buzz

I have heard that the Bilsteins have issues above a certain spring rate.... not confirmed though. I run the Koni's and have been pleased. Boge is a type of shock manufacturer/housing design - I believe this one is the kind that you screw into place and hold it in with a captive nut as opposed to bolting them in from the bottom of the strut tower.

I believe the early cars had the Boge type of shocks but dont quote me. They are not adjustable without modification to the strut tower itself. Try here for 944 Spec suspension: (about 3/4 of the way down the page)

www.paragon-products.com/SearchResults.asp

The year of your car determines what pakage you run (i.e. Koni package 1,2,3, or 4) They have put a package together with everything you need and they will do the conversion for you if you ship them your strut towers (uncompressed). That way you can just bolt the new ones right in and they are adjustable. If you want to call them, ask for Jason he is the man and is very helpful.

They are the correct and legal Bilstein for the 944 spec. However testing has shown them to be marginal at the spring rate we run.

For 2009 the rules also make note that we may drop the Bilstien HD option in 2010. The reason is they are not as good, nobody runs them, and it makes more complex for new comers.

Now the Bilstein AK firehawks are very good shocks, but at a high price. These were the ones removed from the rules a few years ago due to their $500 each price tag.

Thanks for the replies. I have a Spec 944 car with Konis but I do not know how old they are.

Was looking at replacing all shocks and saw these.

I guess it is possible that the Bilstein with lower spring rates and the R888 tire (stiffer sidewall) may perform as well.

I am for the one shock rule. It has worked well for Spec Miata. Except when the cheaters have the shock re-valved.

The beauty with 944 spec is that I think revalving the koni wouldnt yield all that much performance gain with our rear torsion bars limited. Kinda like our AFM helping keep engines equal.

The Spec Miata only has one spring rate, one shock and one sway bar. All of these are bought directly from Mazda.

The only reason they mess with the shock is because there are small gains to be made and there is no way of teching with out a shock dyno.

Hopefully Spec 944 stays small and does not go down that road. There are cars in SM that have build costs over 30K:ohmy: That is what it takes to run at the front in SM.

I like the Spec 944 formula better. Keep it small and friendly.