Upgrade-2 VMSpc Question

March 04, 2012, 04:26:40 pm

First upgrade was 8 new Konis. In the 3 mile trip back to our development I could feel no change/improvement. All eight of the OEM Bilsteins were leak-free and felt good (at 97,000 miles).

Upgrade-2 is VMSpc. I plugged it into the ECM and noticed the interface box had a green always on LED and a red blinking LED. Question: Assuming that this is normal and that the ECM is always energized, is it OK to keep the interface plugged in while parked long term? I'd also conclude that the ECM is one of several phantom 12 volt loads that are drawing on the battery. (I do have a trickle charger in the chassis batteries).

Bob
2000 U270 40ft CAI

Re: Upgrade-2 VMSpc Question

Reply #1 – March 04, 2012, 06:46:04 pm

ECM is always on, and is a phantom load on my coach.

As for Koni's "difference", remember, shocks are misnamed. You will not in most cases notice a difference in ride quality! "Shocks" are essentially spring rate or rebound controllers, and yes they do absorb some of the "shock" of pavement changes, large and small, but that isn't really their primary purpose.

The best "ride" would be no shock at all! Of course you would be terrified by the fact your coach would be out of control with the bounce in the steering/suspension. When you want to handling in a sports car, your socks are valved very aggressively to quickly dampen the spring rebound, and the result is "tight" steering response at the expense of ride quality.

Koni FSD's seem to have the ability to aggressively dampen the small irregularities and in the process improve steering response (usually noticed by a smaller "dead spot" as you drive straight down the road. Somehow the "FSD damper", (Koni doesn't even call them shock absorbers, and I think their name is more accurate) has the ability to react differently based on internal valve design. What I love is the improved steering accuracy and response, without ride degradation. Which is why to save some money, four up front does make an improvement that is worth doing I would think (I put all 8 on at once on both the 1999 U-270 and the 2000 U-320.

A good write up and quick read can be accessed here, which is a little "salesy" but explains a little more in depth.

Koni FSD Damper Set

Re: Upgrade-2 VMSpc Question

Reply #2 – March 04, 2012, 06:48:17 pm

This time edited with my glasses on...

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