Abarth Koni Kit

[Abarth]

Hello,

does anyone know if I can fit the Abarth Koni Kit in my non-esseesse Abarth 500?

Cheers ^

[Cyberdog]

Yes you can, It doesn't lower the car, but the ride gets much better. The Konis are designed to work with both the original and esseesse springs.

C

[Abarth]

Okay! Then I will ask my Abarth dealer for it ^^.

[Cyberdog]

Apparently german dealers sell the Koni kit with 20 mm lowering springs. (Strangely the esseesse kit has 15mm lowering springs according to the same pricelist..)

From the pricelist:

ABARTH KIT»ASSETTO KONI« € 900,– incl. 4 Koni FSD-Stoßdämpfer
4 rote Brembo Tieferlegungsfedern 20 mm

Getting my esseesse kit with the Konis I think when the time comes.

C

[MILANEZOS]

Koni FSD ("Frequency Selective Damping") dampers are specifically designed to combine the ultimate in comfort and road-holding.

FSD technology uses a revolutionary new technique to combine the benefits of firm and comfortable suspension in a single perfect shock absorber: firm for sporty driving on even road surfaces, comfortable for a smooth ride on uneven road surfaces.

This new feature is an integrated part of the hydraulic valving system inside the damper. Consequently, there are no additional cables, sensors, or any other electronic devices needed to operate this system.

How does it work?

The split between comfort and handling can be defined in two frequency areas:

•For comfort, with the suspension moving in a high frequency area (± 10 Hz), asking for low damping forces.
•For handling, with the suspension moving in a low frequency area (± 1 Hz), asking for high damping forces.

By changing the damping force level in relation to the frequency of the movement, it is possible to resolve the conflict in terms of comfort and handling ever present in conventional dampers.

In standard shock absorbers, the main damping characteristic is defined by the oil flow going through the piston assembly. Combining it with the FSD technology, Koni added a special valve, which controls an oil flow parallel to the one going through the piston rod. This parallel oil flow is closed by the FSD technology, giving a rise in damping force almost linear to the time that the piston is moving in one direction. Put simply: the FSD system is a hydraulic amplifier that delays the build up of pressure.

The Koni FSD dampers are now included in the esseesse kits for the Abarth 500C and Abarth Punto Evo

[MILANEZOS]

From abarthisti:
"My abarth 500SS is now fitted with the new Koni FSD kit, such as will be included in the Abarth 500C Esseesse kit or in the standard spec Abarth 695 Tributo.....for background info the Koni web site describes the FSD as:

"A revolutionary new technique whereby the benefits of both types of ride characteristics are combined in one perfect shock absorber. Banishing the disadvantages of the past. FSD shock absorbers; a smart suspension system adjusting automatically to road conditions as well as driving style. And all of this in a fraction of a second. FSD guarantees greater stability, greater control and thus greater driving pleasure".

So how does our SS drive post fitment, in two words its totally transformed. What brought us to spend £550 on Koni FSD shocks was the bouncy and bobbing ride of the car in SS form which frankly feels very underdamped making the car feel unrefined, uncomfortable and challenging to drive at speed on anything other than smooth roads.

Following fitment of the new Koni FSD shocks the ride is now significantly more refined and the car feels much better connected to the road, it rides smoother, body movement is better controlled and with the bobbing and harshness removed it makes our A500SS feel like a more expensive car (ride wise it reminds me of a BMW M3 or Golf R32, which is no mean feat given how light the Abarth is). I would go so far as to say it now rides and handles exactly as it ought to of from the factory had budgets allowed Fiat to supply these shocks with every Abarth or SS kit!

Wheels in Motion fitted the kit in just over an hour and charged £189 including a geometry check with the engineer commenting that Fiats are generally especially bad for chassis geo / alignment, he was then dumfounded when our abarth came up with perfect chassis settings following installation of the new FSD struts but with zero other adjustments. He said he rarely saw a car this well set up - so clearly Abarth do a good job and the FSD kits dont mess up the Geo."

[abarthmaven]

Is there any reason why the Koni kit can't be installed at the Toluca works as an abarth comes down the assembly line when I order it? Likewise for the Magneti Marelli SS-500X dual range catback exhaust. it sounds better than the stock system and should be standard on abarth.

[Cyberdog]

I believe it is down to Homologation issues and also that it gives the dealer network options to sell and work for their mechanics.

The Monza, Konis and also esseesse kit can not be ordered already fitted from factory. Also the Sabelt seats used to be this way, but at least in Germany where I'm getting my car from you can now order the Sabelts from factory with matching rear seats. Only problem is you can't order the Interscope HiFi option with them. If you order them as dealer retrofit they don't get the rear seats but come with a repacement sub for your Interscope HiFi if that is fitted to your car. I tried to get them to do the Interscope with my factory fitted ones but they where having none of it...

I have no idea if they will be doing it this way in the US though.

C

[abarthmaven]

The Magneti Mirelli SS-500X isn't the same as the Record although it looks Identical. The finish and tone are different. In the US, Mopar parts has just partnered with Magneti Marelli. I have heard sound clips of both and I prefer the SS-500X which costs somewhat less money. Here an uprated suspension can be factory ordered on Chrysler Group vehicles. I don't believe homulgation issues apply here except for racing. Is the Sabelt seat option worth the option price or is it expensive like the Record exhaust? Here, the SS lowering springs have been criticized as being too stiff for our roads, and the Brembo brakes are expensive to maintain.

[Cyberdog]

I know that. The SS-500X is stainless. The Monza is mild sreel. In europe the SS is a lot more expensive.

The Sabelts are an expensive option, but they look fantastic :)

I relate to the European Abarth version and their way of selling the car. It might be different in the US so we'll have to wait until it goes on sale in the US and see. They managed to ruin the look of the 500 (IMHO) at least the Sport version, so I dread what they will do to the Abarth. :cool:

[Holtani]

I have refitted the original springs with the Eibach Pro Kit spring kit
today including a new adjustment of Toe In.(Actuall Toe Out -1,5mm)
This Improved the handling by far ( Still with original shock's)
It Gives the Approx same height as the Esseesse springs.
I have also heard that they performs better than the SS Springs, but
this is only read statements..

I Had them on my 1,4 100HP 500 and almost sold them whwn I sold the car when i by chance noticed that they also could be used with the ABARTH.
Then I removed it the some days before the 1,4 was sold.

The springs is fittet along with an Upper, and lower strut bar from OMP
This has given further enhanced stability and improved handling.

[abarth500racer]

I have refitted the original springs with the Eibach Pro Kit spring kit
today including a new adjustment of Toe In.(Actuall Toe Out -1,5mm)
This Improved the handling by far ( Still with original shock's)
It Gives the Approx same height as the Esseesse springs.
I have also heard that they performs better than the SS Springs, but
this is only read statements..

I Had them on my 1,4 100HP 500 and almost sold them whwn I sold the car when i by chance noticed that they also could be used with the ABARTH.
Then I removed it the some days before the 1,4 was sold.

The springs is fittet along with an Upper, and lower strut bar from OMP
This has given further enhanced stability and improved handling.

Sounds great. How is the ride vs. handling with the Eibach springs compared with the Esseesse springs?

[Cyberdog]

I have refitted the original springs with the Eibach Pro Kit spring kit
today including a new adjustment of Toe In.(Actuall Toe Out -1,5mm)
This Improved the handling by far ( Still with original shock's)
It Gives the Approx same height as the Esseesse springs.
I have also heard that they performs better than the SS Springs, but
this is only read statements..

I Had them on my 1,4 100HP 500 and almost sold them whwn I sold the car when i by chance noticed that they also could be used with the ABARTH.
Then I removed it the some days before the 1,4 was sold.

The springs is fittet along with an Upper, and lower strut bar from OMP
This has given further enhanced stability and improved handling.

Did it take much DIY to fit the upper brace? You told me parts of the under bonnet cover had to be removed.

Getting ready for the meet in Fraedrikstad on the 15th?

C

[Holtani]

Have not tested Esseesse so I'm not able to compare with eibach springs.

[Holtani]

Hello Cyberdog

Tuning in for Fredrikstad... I' call you