Being able to handle the spring rate and controlling the springs well are two entirely different things. The MSM bilsteins are far better than the konis. The largest benefit of going this route is that you will have a great setup that will hold its value until you want to upgrade to the perfect setup.

Everything is far better than konis.

This is quickly sounding like what I'll do.

I don't doubt their worth, I am just surprised that they are so good and also an OEM shock. Are the 450/300 spring rates preferred for these shocks?

It shouldn't be that suprising that a multibillion dollar automaker can make a very good performance shock if they try. The reason most factory shocks aren't that good is because performance is not the main goal.

From what I understand the stock valving is only good for up to 450/300 before it starts to be degrade performance of the shock. You would need to revalve them if you wanted to go higher and maintain proper performance.

I'm going to agree with the MSM suggestion, but with Summit Racing brand springs for the cost savings (~$35 apiece). 450/300 or 550/350 in seven inch length.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/d...th-in/7-000-in

I guess I say that since most of my experience with OEM shocks is exactly that, they are not performance oriented. It's all perspective when it comes to that I guess. 450/300 is what I was looking for so I'll have to pick up some shocks and get to it. Is there a preferred eBay vendor that has the correct sleeves?

I would not have thought to look at summit for springs, that is a really cost effective option to consider.

5100's built by AST Holland before we (AST USA and yours truly) designed the Xida. Less stroke, some slightly different internals and valving I think. Still great dampers shocks, just not quite as Xida's.

You better hurry up then and get those MSM Bilsteins! I was about to buy them myself, but drove a miata with Xidas 700/400 yesterday and decided to wait until spring and get the Xidas. I can afford them...I'm just cheap:eek5:
I was sure they would handle great just wasn't so sure about street ride in potholed Chicago area roads. With bigger sways and poly bushings the ride was still acceptable. I would say the ride was more noisy than uncomfortable!

Why all the Koni hate? ave been running shortened yellows with race valving for eight years with 800ish swifts and don't find anything wrong with them. I am in the process of changing over to Penskes DA to get the last 10-15% out of my car but they cost four times as much...

I found 2 seconds a lap switching from RACEs w/ 700/450s to Xida-CS w/ 800/550s. The car was downright scary to drive on the Konis, and a breeze to drive on the Xidas.

The KONIs are probably better than 90% of the setups out there, but Xidas are just so much better.