What is most appropriate replacement struts for the 84-87 cars?

I'm upgrading my springs up front and doing coilovers in the rear, so I might as well do the struts up front at the same time.
Keep in mind, the car will be driven fairly hard, I'd like to go to the track once in a while as well.


Additionally, where can I get new control arms, brackets, bolts?
I have poly bushings, but I'd hate to put them in these rusted things.

quote Originally posted by DKcustoms: What is most appropriate replacement struts for the 84-87 cars? I'm upgrading my springs up front and doing coilovers in the rear, so I might as well do the struts up front at the same time.

Struts are in the back. Shocks are in the front. (Edited to add that I'm referring to Fieros. On front wheel drive vehicles it can be the other way around.)

Every couple of weeks, someone asks this same question. And then everyone else responds with the same thing about their choice of Koni or KYB or Monroe Sensa-Tracs etc.

It boils down to mostly how much money you wish to spend.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 09-11-2014).]

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Struts are in the back. Shocks are in the front. Every couple of weeks, someone asks this same question. And then everyone else responds with the same thing about their choice of Koni or KYB or Monroe Sensa-Tracs etc. It boils down to mostly how much money you wish to spend.

Thanks for clearing that up, we use "shocks" more for trucks and offroad toys unofficially in conversation I guess.

But is there a specific model or anything I should purchase or am I purchasing based on length/compression and weight?

[This message has been edited by DKcustoms (edited 09-10-2014).]

quote Originally posted by DKcustoms: But is there a specific model or anything I should purchase or am I purchasing based on length/compression and weight?

I don't know how many choices you think might be available, but basically each manufacturer will have one model of shock and strut for a Fiero. (The '88 uses a different shock than '84-'87.)

Well , I can tell you what I don't recommend and that is KYB. I have had them on many cars and have found that they tend to get weak in short order. (within 8-10K miles)
Kit

If your going to be driving them hard, Koni's really are the best. Haven't heard anything bad about them, and they cost about the same as KYB's.

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Every fiero has a story, It's our job to keep that story alive.

Konis, for real. Might give a shout to Redshift Motorsports - usually cheaper than TireRack by quite a bit.

I like Monroe... FWIW.

Check out Monroe and Gabriel brands for a stock OEM ride and KYB if you want to firm up the ride and improve handling a bit.. As for the Konis, great reputation, but I have never used them and don't have any feedback on the brand. .

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quote Originally posted by zzzhuh: If your going to be driving them hard, Koni's really are the best. Haven't heard anything bad about them, and they cost about the same as KYB's.

In my experience, the Koni replacements are SUBSTANTIALLY more money than KYB.