Dampers, but not for what you're thinking

Both the PT Cruiser and, in truth, the minivan, are due for dampers. I hate putting them on vehicles I DD because I generally don't care about the ride. I am beginning to, for various, wife related, reasons. So if I searched this forum for performance oriented dampers, I could find threads on what brands are best, how to swap coilovers to each, how to adapt motorcycle dampers, how to best set up lever ratios so they could be mounted inboard, probably the best offroad setup and where to mount remote reservoirs too.

What I'd like to know is this: How do I purchase the most -comfy- damper. Suppose I wanted my minivan to ride like a 70k Jag, or a 100k Land Rover. Is there a damper for that? I don't want that quality enough to replace any other components, so we're limited to just dampers.

Any thoughts, folks?

Sometimes the most comfortable aren't always the softest. I'd look to see if the Koni FSD units are available for either ride. Their tech is kinda interesting, not to mention the fairly digressive damping that Koni seems to use is great on the street.

Disclaimer: I haven't tried them myself, but I've heard good things so far. Also, this is coming from guy who thinks Koni yellows are more comfy than stock.

Buy a middle of the line shock. The cheap ones aren't any better than what you have, and the top of the line ones seem to be too stiff for me. The last set I bought was a set of KYB replacement shocks for the Roadmaster. Fair price and work just fine.

I have been pleased by my koni reds on the jetta which is my commuter car and were not purchased for performance but ride quality.

Getting the magic carpet ride is really about the shock having the right valving for the springs etc on your particular car and I doubt anyone has put that much effort into determining the values for the PT Cruiser or the minivan =/

I would go look at KYB. I put those on one of my MB and it was a great compromise of ride comfort with enough "feeling" to keep me engaged. I really liked them on that car.

Some of the best shocks I ever had were of the divergent valving type. They damp less for large inputs and damp more for slower/smaller inputs.

The theory is that softer/slower inputs (like cornering) provide more damping, but larger inputs (like potholes) provide less damping.

curtis73 wrote: Some of the best shocks I ever had were of the divergent valving type. They damp less for large inputs and damp more for slower/smaller inputs. The theory is that softer/slower inputs (like cornering) provide more damping, but larger inputs (like potholes) provide less damping.

You mean digressive?

I'm also a fan.

I had FSDs on a 2006 Jetta. They were very nice to drive and still worked for an occasional autocross.

Jaynen wrote: I have been pleased by my koni reds on the jetta which is my commuter car and were not purchased for performance but ride quality. Getting the magic carpet ride is really about the shock having the right valving for the springs etc on your particular car and I doubt anyone has put that much effort into determining the values for the PT Cruiser or the minivan =/

I wouldn't put Koni's on anything I wanted to DD. Every Koni I've ever driven has too high rebound damping which makes the car feel harsh on anything except very smooth pavement. Living in Michigan has struck Koni right off my shopping list.

I just want to say thanks for calling them Dampers and not "dampeners."

pet peeve, and all that.

In reply to Adrian_Thompson: I feel like I've had an opposite experience, even on the moon-crater'd downtown Atlanta streets. Shrug.

Hmm yeah I haven't had that experience with the koni reds, on my koni yellows custom valved with 600lb springs sure

I have the KYB "Classics" on my Javelin, and have had other KYB lines in other cars (GR2's in an RX-& and Gas-A-Justs in the P71). I have been very happy with the "ride" in all of the applications. None of these were KYB's "performance" shock, just the listed OEM replacement. I echo those above me to try there first.

On my girlfriend's Mazda3 we went from stock springs/shocks with 80k miles to Koni FSDs and Eibach pro kit. The ride was notably improved, as was the handling. Totally a win/win combo. After using them, I am now a huge fan of the FSDs

Well, I'm going to be the party pooper, and suggest a set of Monroe Sensatracs for them both, as long as there are no track days in line.

^ I've had great luck with the Sensatracs. So have many E36 M3 owners (apparently they are well valved for the application).

Many "these shocks are way better than stock shocks" statements are more accurately translated as "these brand new and functional shocks are way better than stock worn out shocks".

On my comments re Koni's, yes it's personal experience and I'm fussy, I find the stock ride on ST's, EVO's, 350Z's and Mazdaspeed 3 totally unaceptable for the same reason. To me those cars all ride worse than a stock late 70's 911 due to the harshness. I have also heard great things about Koni FSD's, but never driven or even been in a car with them on.

For a toy, autocross, track, rallycross etc, all bets are of as ride is secondary to performance, but for a car where ride is the primary concern I'd stay clear of Koni

ClemSparks wrote: I just want to say thanks for calling them Dampers and not "dampeners." pet peeve, and all that.

Hey, you're welcome. I have a physics degree with a concentration in acoustics. I learned the differencing between getting things wet and damping them.

Thanks to all so far for the input!

no to sensacraps yes to KYB excel Gs all around for the PT and excel Gs up front and gas a justs in the back for the van.

I'll agree with the Monroe Sensa-trac for squishy softness. Very plush ride. Built in extra squishyness right in the middle of the range of motion.

I really like the ride that I get from Bilsteins on the couple Mustangs I've had them on. Not cheap though.