Hello guys, I've been reading through the forums and haven't found this question answered yet. I am looking for a stock or smoother than stock ride, and my shocks are probably worn out (115k).

I heard in another thread that the 07/08 shocks are better than the 05 shocks I have. I saw on AcuraOEMparts.com that you can get the front and rear shock absorber units for right over $100. That's all I would need, right? (There is an additional "Shock Absorber Assy" that I would imagine I wouldn't need).

I wouldn't mind an inch drop, so could I splurge a little and just get the Koni Yellows on my stock suspension and get an inch drop without any other components? If I set the Koni's to softest setting, would it be comparable to the stock ride?

Thanks for your input.

--Tim

 

Koni Yellows alone will NOT drop an inch, about 1/2" depending on where you set the circlip. They will ride as good or better than stock depending on how you set them. Find coupon code for autoanything.com and you can get a set for ~ 540.00 shipped. heeltoe.com has instructions for koni yellow installation cause konis instructions are cheap. Just reuse everthing else. search for other things to replace while in there like endlinks and upgrade rear sway bar.

 

I don't know if it's quite that simple.

The '07/'08 base, for example, don't necessarily have "better" shocks. But they do have the softest ride of any 3G TL. However, how much of that is from the shock and how much from the springs, I don't know.

This may offer additional info: http://www.hondanews.com/channels/ac...assis?query=TL

Regards the Koni's. I think the shock and spring work together as a system, so you need to optimize both to your desired ride quality. For example, you may find (and I have heard) that adjustable shocks on the softest settings are very uncomfortable and have very poor handling characteristics.

 

Thanks for the link Bearcat. Has anyone heard of ordering the shocks from the '07/'08s for the earlier models? Based on the link, I concluded that the better ride may not be entirely from the shocks but they may play a part.

Anyone have any experience with the Koni's alone? IE without springs? What's the ride like?

I never would mind better handling... I just put more miles on the car driving in the city all day than taking twisties. In fact, I can't remember the last time I took a turn at a speed in which I felt like the car was being challenged.

--Tim

 

i don't know anyone that has wanted to put the 07-08 shocks on since they were known to be the "softest" of the OEM shocks.

if you went that route, they would most likely fit fine in your 05.

if you're not looking for improved handling performance and want to restore your prior suspension feel, just go with OEM.

comes down to what are you looking for in the suspension?? better handling? drop for looks? maintain stock comfort? (<-- i think this is your primary).

 

Ok thanks. One last question, if I went with konis and springs, anecdotally what is the difference in day-to-day ride?

 

I think if you went with Koni shocks and '07/'08 base springs, you'd be able to dial in a very comfortable OE type ride.

The '07/'08 shocks and/or springs will fit your '06 for sure; whether or not you'll have the exact ride quality is less certain. It should be very similar, but maybe not exactly the same. It'll depend on weight, other suspension components, etc, so there may be some small differences.

 

What tires do you have on the TL presently and tire pressure ?

 

I've got a set of falken 452s right now. I did see that there is a clear favorite here on the forum though. Tires have about 15k left on them though. Psi I think is around 32

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-tires-wheels-suspension-97/upgrading-konis-has-anyone-ever-revalved-them-stiffer-799406/

If you have not seen this in your research, it may help you. Reply #7 is very informative from a well respected member. search his posts for more in depth knowledge on suspension. Best wishes.

 

Not familiar with the 452's, so not certain as to the stiffness of the carcass, but my point was going to be go to a softer tire and forget about the suspension change. Just because the car has 115k doesn't indicate that they need to be changed.

 

Ok thanks. That very well could be it.

 

I've written a ton of info on Konis with and without stock springs. You can do a search of my username if you like.

One thing to keep in mind though, as Bearcat elluded to, softer does not always mean a better ride. If the shock can't adequately control body motion and suspension motion it will give you a "rougher" ride than a firmer shock.

A firm shock (within reason) will make you feel the little bumps more but the big ones won't effect the car as much. The TL has very limited suspension travel even at stock height so if you go too soft and hit the bumpstops everytime you hit a bump in the road, the ride is not going to be nice. Everything is a compromise.

Springs are as important if not more important in determining ride characteristics. From softest to firmest is '07-'08 base, '04-'06 base, Type S, and A-spec being the firmest.

If my only concern was the most comfortable ride, it would be either the spring/shock assembly from the '07-'08 base or the springs from that base with the Koni Yellows on full soft.

At 115k, rest assured your shocks are done.

 

carhater, what coilover do you recommend? the tien's or HT? cost is super important and damping can not be afforded. my 100k shocks feel sooooo good