Universal insert choice: Koni, Bilstein or ?

Trying to get my suspension sorted for my 280zx with S13 suspension project. Going to be making custom housings for the strut and now its come time to pick an insert to use for measurements.

I know Koni has the 8610/8611 series and bilstein has their motorsport strut (havent found much info on this one). Which one would be better for a track/autocross car? And are there any better choices out there?

That depends on how good you are at suspension damper tuning and theory.

Penske, Motion Control, Foxx, etc. all make struts or inserts and many can be customized with different valving, fluid weights and multiple adjustment options (including external reservoirs, low speed/high speed compression & rebound).

So if you don't want to spend $2K a corner and get a degree in damper studies, I'd say Koni is a good all around option (even if they can be a little choppy at times).

In reply to Stefan :

Wasn't aware that fox and Motion made stand alone inserts. Ill have to look into those.

But seeing as I would love to have the car driveable sooner rather than later koni may be the go to choice.

I’ve run Koni for years and had good luck with them and their support if you need it is top notch.

I've always run Bilsteins (Sports in my 2002, HDs in my E39 and E82) and generally been happy with them. I had to submit a claim on the E39 fronts when they started to rattle and rusted up at the top of the shaft after only a few years, but Bilstein did replace them without out complaint. My understanding is that Bilsteins tend to allow more small movements and damp large movements more, while Konis do the opposite, with potentially significant implications for how the car rides and handles. That said, I have no experience with Konis, but I like the fact that many of them are adjustable.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone regret their decision to buy Konis.  Customer service is excellent too. 

In reply to Sonic :

They also have easily available dimensions which is really helpful.

call Lee at Koni. He has forgotten more about shocks and struts than most people know. Tell him what you are doing and he will ask you a couple questions and then recommend a strut for you.

Mention GRM as well.

Sonic said:

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone regret their decision to buy Konis.  Customer service is excellent too. 

I only don't regret because they only cost $60 for the pair and Bilsteins were not available.

Way too much initial resistance for ride quality on the street even when adjusted full-soft.

You're using S13 suspension on the Z?  Koni 8610/11 are pretty nice and have been used quite a bit for the 240SX chassis.  I've driven sets on track and street and been pretty impressed.  I have looked into the Bilstein Motorsport strut inserts but they're $$$ and there's not much out there about them.  And my car already has 8611s that work well.  Check out nissanroadracing.com for lots more good technical suspension info, with lots about Koni and Bilstein.

In reply to turtl631 :

Thats where Ive been reading alot of info. Looks like they are my best bet.

Those Koni 8610s are great inserts.  Afco makes some good inexpensive adjustables as well, but you have to dig a little deeper to get the right info for them.