Real Fiero Tech

Wanted to pass this along. I've had a couple conversations with Chris at West Coast Fiero over the past two weeks.

He thinks he can do Viking double adjustables up front. He wouldn't commit to doing the rear struts because of potential fitment issues. We're going to talk again next week to see if he thinks they'll work. I would prefer to do a set of 4 vs mixed brands front to rear so when I need to get them revalved, it's not going to a million different places.

I'm under no illusions here and Vikings aren't going to replace Motons or JRZs or Ohlins or Penskes in an actual race application. There are positive and negative reviews for the brand. But they look pretty nice and offer some promise for adjustability.
The above pictures aren't the exact fitment, but they're vikings. I had not heard of the company previously. Apparently they split from QA-1.

I'll post more if we go ahead.

More options is always good. What kind of spring setup would you be planning to run with these?

200 - 300 lb/in up front and 350-400 in the rear with anti-roll bars front and rear.

I would like to keep the springs as soft as I can without bouncing off of bump stops. Nothing too crazy to start. We'll see how that goes

84-87 or 88 suspension?

This is on a pre-88.

As a status update, I spoke to Chris again. He said he ordered them and is waiting on Viking to assemble and ship... it's looking like maybe a winter project... we will see.

Another disappointing update:

Chris called me up about two weeks ago. He offered to ship me the fronts. Said he had received 3 sets of fronts and sold 2 of them.

I asked about the rears. He tried to sell me konis. Now, I like konis. Had them on my subaru. But I don't want two different vendors' products on the vehicle... in my mind, one day I might want to revalve them and I don't want to have to send them off multiple places.

I asked about the timeline for a set of the vikings front and rear and he couldn't commit without talking to viking. He said he'd call me back. It's been two weeks.

So, I could have had half a set... I'm not upset. The car's under a pile of snow, but I would like to get something in by March... We will see.

At least he called you...

Maybe you and Steven and I need to talk Bilsteins.

Yeah. I'm not upset with the guy. I've enjoyed all the products I've received over the years from them. This isn't his primary business. I didn't realize it would take close to a year, but while he took my credit card, he didn't put anything on it.

I wouldn't be opposed to Bilsteins...

The Dark Side of Will wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 3:48 pm At least he called you...

Maybe you and Steven and I need to talk Bilsteins.

Just got off the phone with Chris and he is ready to do the rears now. so hopefully before the end of April I'll have some pictures of shocks on my vehicle.

I spoke to Chris yesterday as the last time I spoke to him it didn't seem to be a problem to have the shocks by end of April... he still doesn't have the rears from Viking to begin to modify... I am thinking of pulling the plug on these... I would like to have suspension on the car updated so I can use it over the summer more. We will see.

I'll be getting the front vikings for my build from WCF as well. Opted not to go for the rears as it sounded like it would be a while, sticking with the Konis there.

I received a package today from west coast… With 2 shocks and 2 struts. And springs.

Attached

I am pretty sure these are going on the white one right?

I ordered for the blue one…. Easy enough to swap out down the road if need be. Especially the fronts.

I am tied up for a bit with other projects so maybe I’ll change my mind if I don’t get them in soon.

where are the install pics?

thats an interesting setup, do you have more pictures of the other end of the strut where the tophat is?

eHoward wrote: ↑Tue Jul 12, 2022 9:09 pmAttached

That's a neat way to convert a shock to a strut. I do wonder if Viking actually installed a sufficiently strong shaft and upgraded rod guide bearings to take the lateral loads. How thick is the rod?

Series8217 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 07, 2022 1:57 pm

eHoward wrote: ↑Tue Jul 12, 2022 9:09 pmAttached

That's a neat way to convert a shock to a strut. I do wonder if Viking actually installed a sufficiently strong shaft and upgraded rod guide bearings to take the lateral loads. How thick is the rod?

This was my principle concern with the concept, the shaft looks tiny compared to most strut shafts I've seen.