Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

i have the bilstein hds and stock non ws6 springs as of now im looking for better weight transfer but still good handeling also my car already sits lower than a firehawk does and i dont think i can really dropit much more due to my 17x 11 wheels in rear so please take that into cnsideration when suggesting

thnx,
john

ZaneO

Bilstein HDs are meant for stock spring rates. Lowering springs will wear them out prematurely.

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

cool but are their any springs that perserve stock height but are better?

ZaneO

The issue isn't necessarily spring height. It has to do with spring rates. The Bilstein HD's are valved for factory spring rates. Any aftermarket springs will have different rates that adversely effect the shock.

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

ok thnx

ZaneO

Here are some spring specs: http://www.angelfire.com/my/fastcar/suspension.html

Just keep in mind that upgraded shocks would be the best route to go with any of those.

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

so the gm 1le springs would not work well with my hd's also going with a higher spring rate means less weight transfer right?

GeneWeber

I hope this isn’t the case since my 1LE springs arrived yesterday, and my Bilstein shocks should show up today. In the Bilstein catalog they list “Camaro All Models”. There is no separate listing for “standard suspension” or “1LE suspension”. Therefore I would (did) assume that Bilstein believes their HD shock can handle both spring rates.

Hopeful,

Gene

ZaneO

"Camaro All Models" means they fit V6s and V8s, I believe.

Bilsteins will work with those springs for a while. Like I said, they are not optimum and will wear out more quickly than proper shocks.

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

well ehats more quickly 60k miles insteak of 80k miles or 20k miles instead of 100k miles?

WS6freak

iTrader: (3)

John

I just got 4 Koni Single Adjustables and I use Pro-Kit and I also have the 11" with 315s. I will be installing them soon and will be able to give you feedback. I did lots of research and this is probably one of the best setups for a daily driver.

Larry

iTrader: (4)

Looks like my QA1 springs are a little stiffer than factory springs. QA1's for F bodies are 315 #/in. This chart says stock is 292#/in.

Most have said the QA1's are softer but based on my driving experience they are about the same or stiffer as the numbers indicate.

Mevin

He already mentioned he has Bilstein HD's... are those not considered "upgraded shocks"...?

Another question: can anyone explain the herein stated mechanism of why stiffer (numerically higher) spring rates will adversely affect shock wear? It seems intuitive to me that having a stiffer spring would take burden off the shock since it's reducing the amount of travel (per road imperfection encountered) that the shock would have to absorb. I was thinking the problem with aftermarket springs (specifically: lowering springs) in increasing shock wear was due to the decreased amount of travel. Is this not correct?

And as such, am I then falsely assuming that a higher spring rate is actually BETTER on a set of lowering springs? Since making them stiffer would, in a sense, compensate for the loss of travel by not putting as much burden on the shocks?

Thx

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

ok good, if it allworks out i might take a simlar path.. o yea thanks for t that how-to on the tail lights im gonna plan on doing those light upgrades sometime soom

ZaneO

Shocks are spring dampers. If the shocks are not designed to damp the higher spring rates, it will wear them out faster. That's why there are aftermarket shocks designed to handle shorter springs and higher rates.

Sam Strano or someone else might be able to give you more specific details about the shock piston, etc. in regards to wearing.

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

dont bilstein make springs for these shocks ?

ZaneO

Nope.

BadBlueBuggy

I have the 1LE Springs (Front & Rear) the Bilstein HD have been a very good match.

Jpr5690

iTrader: (13)

good deal