SLP Bilstein shocks
02-25-2009, 11:48 AM
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SLP Bilstein shocks Can SLP Bilstein shocks be used with stock 01 Z28 springs? I've got 35k on my car and although my suspension is not bad I'm trying to get rid of the mushyness.
I know Koni's are the way to go but even discounted the 4/3 setup is still more than i really want to spend. Summit currently has the SLP Bilsteins for $313 for all 4. But will they maintain a smooth comfortable ride while improving performance. I'm not interested in lowering my car nor will i ever be and I don't race....The car is just a summertime weekend cruiser.
Has anyone used these with their stock z28 springs?
Thanks
I know Koni's are the way to go but even discounted the 4/3 setup is still more than i really want to spend. Summit currently has the SLP Bilsteins for $313 for all 4. But will they maintain a smooth comfortable ride while improving performance. I'm not interested in lowering my car nor will i ever be and I don't race....The car is just a summertime weekend cruiser.
Has anyone used these with their stock z28 springs?
Thanks
02-25-2009, 07:19 PM
#3
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To expand on this a bit....I just came across a good deal on OEM SLP front springs. These are rated at 223-448 while stock is 292, my understanding is these these will provide a .75" drop.
My thought is to go with the SLP Bilstein shocks all around. Replace my front stock springs with the OEM SLP's for a .75" drop , while leaving the back springs stock and doing the isolator mod for a .75" drop.
Dropping the car is not a big a deal to me, but $50 for a new pair of SLP front springs to improve performance sounds good to me and if I get a little drop then so be it.
Will stock rear springs hamper performance? Rates are pretty close (stock 114 vs SLP 97-136)
What do you guys think? Am I heading down the wrong path?
My thought is to go with the SLP Bilstein shocks all around. Replace my front stock springs with the OEM SLP's for a .75" drop , while leaving the back springs stock and doing the isolator mod for a .75" drop.
Dropping the car is not a big a deal to me, but $50 for a new pair of SLP front springs to improve performance sounds good to me and if I get a little drop then so be it.
Will stock rear springs hamper performance? Rates are pretty close (stock 114 vs SLP 97-136)
What do you guys think? Am I heading down the wrong path?
Last edited by Alex212; 02-25-2009 at 07:32 PM.
02-26-2009, 07:40 AM
#6
From my vantage point, there seems to be a bit of discussion as to what constitutes a "revalved" and/or "SLP" Bilstein shock. It appears that at one time or another, SLP sold "revalved" Bilstein shocks, that were modified to work with either "their" Eibach springs, or the "aftermarket over the counter" Eibach ProKit springs. The discussion centers around which Eibach springs they were revalved to work with.
Having said that, I have a '96 Z-28. I bought the car new, in October of 1995. While I had the car in "winter storage" over the 1995-96 winter, I installed the Eiback ProKit springs. Due to budget constraints, I wasn't able to also replace the shocks at that time, assuming, of course, that there was something more suitable way back then. Secondly, probably mistakenly, I assumed a car that had only 2000 miles on it, would have shocks that were good for another several thousand miles.
I drove the car like that until the end of 1999, and at that time, I bought a set of the Bilsteins that SLP was selling. As I recall, their catalog stated that they were "revalved" for use with Eibach springs. Again, being unaware, I assumed that they meant for the Eibach springs I had, as I didn't know that Eibach was making special springs for SLP, that had only 3/4" drop, rather than the ProKit's 1.25" drop. Nonetheless, I installed them over the '99-'00 winter, and immediately noticed a trememdous improvement in ride quality and car control.
That's my $0.02 worth....
Having said that, I have a '96 Z-28. I bought the car new, in October of 1995. While I had the car in "winter storage" over the 1995-96 winter, I installed the Eiback ProKit springs. Due to budget constraints, I wasn't able to also replace the shocks at that time, assuming, of course, that there was something more suitable way back then. Secondly, probably mistakenly, I assumed a car that had only 2000 miles on it, would have shocks that were good for another several thousand miles.
I drove the car like that until the end of 1999, and at that time, I bought a set of the Bilsteins that SLP was selling. As I recall, their catalog stated that they were "revalved" for use with Eibach springs. Again, being unaware, I assumed that they meant for the Eibach springs I had, as I didn't know that Eibach was making special springs for SLP, that had only 3/4" drop, rather than the ProKit's 1.25" drop. Nonetheless, I installed them over the '99-'00 winter, and immediately noticed a trememdous improvement in ride quality and car control.
That's my $0.02 worth....
02-26-2009, 09:33 AM
#7
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kind of what i was hoping to hear. Even though my car only has 35k on it and is not driven hard or raced. The stock suspension has definitely gone down hill. I was concerned i wouldn't see much improvement over stock but after much research i think it's a good move especially when you consider price. New OEM SLP front springs and SLP Biltein shocks for $390 is hard to beat. My only concern was keeping the stock rear springs but I think with the fuel hose mod it will provide some drop to match the front and performance wise should be fine as well.
Also with regard to Strikers question my research tells me that the SLP Bilsteins are more suited to lowering springs where the HD Bilsteins are intended for stock springs. But folks have used them with lowering springs with no issues except possibly they will wear out quicker.
Also with regard to Strikers question my research tells me that the SLP Bilsteins are more suited to lowering springs where the HD Bilsteins are intended for stock springs. But folks have used them with lowering springs with no issues except possibly they will wear out quicker.
Last edited by Alex212; 02-26-2009 at 09:43 AM.
Trending Topics
02-26-2009, 01:29 PM
#8
I believe the SLP and HD rear bilsteins have the same valving, It's the SLP front bilsteins that have the better valving.The front SLP bilsteins valving is still better than the HDs even with stock springs.
The Bilsteins will last a lot longer than most shock out there, IMO!
The Bilsteins will last a lot longer than most shock out there, IMO!
02-27-2009, 03:49 PM
#9
On The Tree
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Delaware
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm also upgrading the front sway bar from stock 30mm to a OEM 32mm, prob a minimal upgrade but at $60 for new I'll give it a shot. So i guess you could say that i'm going from a base Z28 to a SS level 1 SLP susp. I don't know if all this will make a dramatic difference, but if it at least eliminates or minimizes the wandering tendancy especially during maneuvers at higher speeds then I'll be happy.
Last edited by Alex212; 02-27-2009 at 04:28 PM.
