While Koni reds are nice it would be awesome if I could take it to next level and get some Koni sports. My friend has them on his 89 MR2 SC and they are killer! Any one know if Koni Sports that fit the Fiero exists? Perhaps another car might have them listed as an option that shares the same shocks as the Fiero.

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i got koni's for my car from the Tire Rack, so you might call and ask them. i've only ever seen the one type though - you wanna spend more than $400 for shocks and struts (!?) {that's what i paid for mine}

There is a Sport insert for '95-'05 J-bodies that requires cutting the strut apart to install the insert. I haven't checked to see if it has the right length/travel to fit a Fiero or not.

If I remember right, there is only one style of Konis for the Fiero. Also, for cars that have more than one flavor, the only difference is how they adjust. I believe the valving is pretty much the same between them. (E.G. on J-bodies, the "Reds" have to be taken off the car to adjust, but the "Yellows" -- what I had -- could be adjusted while on the car; but they were otherwise the same).

Also IIRC, on the Fiero, the fronts have to be at least partially removed to adjust, but the rears can be adjusted while on the car.

The Fierostore only sells one flavor of Koni http://www.fierostore.com/P...ct/Browse.aspx?d=328 (well,88 and non-88 for the front).

Koni Reds (Koni Special) are for best ride/performance compromise with stock springs.

Koni Yellows (Koni Sport) are more performance oriented and are for stiffer than stock springs, but still for street use.

Koni Motorsports are an entirely different animal.

Well, this hopefully will save you a lot of time: As shown on their website ( http://www.koni-na.com/display.cfm?mt_id=1 ), Koni only makes their "Red" shocks for Fieros.

And that's the whole reason this thread was started...

quote Originally posted by Will: Koni Reds (Koni Special) are for best ride/performance compromise with stock springs. Koni Yellows (Koni Sport) are more performance oriented and are for stiffer than stock springs, but still for street use. Koni Motorsports are an entirely different animal.

Been wrong before, cool. I didn't know there was any valving difference between the "Specials" and the "Sports"

Disclaimer: I do not drive my car on the street, common sense may not apply to me. Mine is a track only race car. Not even suitable for "performance driving events" since part of my cage goes where the instructor would sit. This post is for entertainment only to validate the original question "if other parts will fit".

I currently run Bilstein shocks on the front of my 88 that were from a 68 to 82 Corvette. KYB lists their GR2 shocks as the same part number between the two cars ((Fiero and Corvette)and several others that use the same style shock). While the KYBs are the same part number there are a couple differances between the KYB and the Bilstein. One is the Corvette lower mount bolts are about 3/8" wider so the bilstein pad has to be opened up to look like the KYB. Basically slotted instead of holes. Second the Bilstein shock tube is about 1/4" taller which will bottom out 1/4" earlier than the KYB. I currently run Koni reds in the rear on stock cut springs. I have only run 4 sessions on the front shocks and I am not convinced if I like them. Handling seems to be a bit better but the nose did not dive as much as I needed it to on 120 - 50MPH braking efforts. I was sorting a few other issues out with the car (spring rubbers, tire pressure etc) but next time out I will better focus on the shock issue.

In other words, a Koni sport for a vette "might" work (assuming they make them). Obviously there is a HUGE weight differance between the front of a Fiero vs a Corvette but in my case it is worth playing with the risk.

Koni Classic (Red) for 63-83 Corvette front: 8040 1019
Koni Red for '88 Fiero: 8040 1092

I *believe* that the first four digits reflect the frame/body and the last four the valving. If that is the case, then the two use the same body, but different valving. A red for the front of a Corvette might be valved as stiff as the non-existant yellow would be for the Fiero, due to the Vette's much greater front end weight.

My apologies in advance here, but I'm confused. Is the underlying assumption to this thread that Koni might make shocks other than their "Reds" for the Fiero, but Koni either doesn't know that or want to point that out?

I have heard of rumors of supra struts being modified to fit the fiero. I cant remember who I heard that from but it might be worth looking into.

quote Originally posted by project34: My apologies in advance here, but I'm confused. Is the underlying assumption to this thread that Koni might make shocks other than their "Reds" for the Fiero, but Koni either doesn't know that or want to point that out?

No, you are not confused. Koni does not make another; approved, tested, comfortable, performing, specifically designed option for the Fiero.

However other "unapproved" shocks will fit in the holes of the 88 Fiero.

Here are the listings from monroe for mounting style, length and compression, etc. The struts on this chart fell appox within an inch of compressed/extended length of the 71418 Monroe Sensitrac struts that fit 1984-1988 Fieros. There were others also that fell within that range that had no parts kit, basically means it's an old or specialty application and the mounting parts are not standard or no longer made. There was no reverse lookup catalog available, could someone look these numbers up for their applications?

Monroe Mounting Type Length Compressed Extended Parts Kit
71814 B5 13.25 9.375 16.125 P590
71685 B5 14 10.125 16.75 P853
71708 B5 13.75 10.25 16.875 P590
71771 B5 14 10.25 16.875 P590
71820 B5 13.875 10.25 16.75 P590
71826 B5 12.125 9.25 15.75 P808
71959 B5 12.5 10.125 15.5 P588

Notice that some of the parts kits differ from the Fiero application, that may mean it might not fit. These charts, of course, are for Monroe shocks and only show the number of different struts that are dimensionally similar, if you find the other applications, there may be Koni, KYB, or Bilstein struts for those other applications, but then again, maybe not.

For the front shocks, you can try the Bilstein's that come on the front of 95 and later S10 Pickups and Blazers. Some of the S10 pickups had 4 cyl engines and still used the same shock. For 88's use the 2 wheel drive, for 84-87 use the 4 wheel drive. Please understand, these shock will fit, but will be much stiffer than KYB's, Monroe's or Gabriels.

quote Originally posted by SCCAFiero: No, you are not confused. Koni does not make another; approved, tested, comfortable, performing, specifically designed option for the Fiero. However other "unapproved" shocks will fit in the holes of the 88 Fiero.

I went thru this same search, months ago.

I actually talked to engineer at Koni, because, I found a yellow shock that would fit the 84-87 front, I think it was like an MGB or something. I spoke with the engineer and he said because of the weight differences of the cars and so fourth if you use a shock or strut that was not made for our cars, than there is a much greater chance that handling will degrade instead of improve. His recommendation was to buy reds and if they were not performing optimally for what I needed, to take them to a race shop, and have them revalved.

I will say, I have the Koni reds on my car, and I am very happy with them.

Exactly as Madness stated.

I am only messing with "other" shocks because I am also messing with race tires, lowered springs, serious alignment variances from stock, etc. I am just looking for a setup that I like for a limited purpose, not an all around street shock. Tamper carefully, you might waste your money.

The sport insert for the J-bodies is attractive because the weight of the front of the J and the rear of the P is similar...

But AFAIK, the only difference between the yellows and the reds is the valving and the paint, so you should be able to make your reds what are effectively yellows by having them revalved stiffer.

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 01-16-2008).]

Koni used to sell a "Koni RallySport Suspension Kit" for the Fiero that included springs, adjustable shocks, and sway bars that was made for maximum handling (the slogan was something like "ultimate handling for street cars." I suspect they haven't sold it since the mid 80s. I had the kit on my Fiero that has since been sold. The shocks were red in color (as were the springs and sway bars), but I seriously doubt they were the usual "red" Konis because they gave extremely good handling with brutal ride and were matched with very stiff springs which would kill a regular shock.

There was a Koni insert for the early J-bodies that is now discontinued. I think it would have fit directly in the Fiero strut housing.