Which Bilsteins??
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Teching In
Joined: Dec 2008
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Which Bilsteins?? Finally shedding the crappy Decarbons....I've driven an f body with the Bilsteins and want them....The question is, which set? I have BMR springs [the old ones]....Any recommendations? Thanks.
TECH Resident
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Dallas, TX
Not to mention the SLP springs aren't that much of a lowering spring.
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I believe it's just the rear shocks that are the same, not the fronts.
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Teching In
Joined: Feb 2005
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I have the factory SLP Bilstiens/SLP Eibach springs. THe ride is nice and it handles well. a few years back I upgraded to the Koni SA's, and the 3rd gen rears. No comparison. They ride slightly harsh, but the dampening quality of the koni's is far superior to the BIlstiens.
The cars limits increased dramatically, it is much more stable at high speed, and the overall control is much better with the Koni's - they are easily worth twice as much IMHO. If you want a silky smooth, buttery ride - get the Bilstiens. Otherwise don't be a fool, buy the Koni's - they're that much better.
The cars limits increased dramatically, it is much more stable at high speed, and the overall control is much better with the Koni's - they are easily worth twice as much IMHO. If you want a silky smooth, buttery ride - get the Bilstiens. Otherwise don't be a fool, buy the Koni's - they're that much better.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I couldn't agree more ... if you want to crash hard into every sharp bump - get Konis. Yep, they handle better at the extremities ... but you'll pay the price in everyday comfort.
No, but considering that the springs they're designed to go with have about a 450 lb./in. spring rate up front I would assume that they would have the shock valving designed to handle that spring rate.
Yeah, I know, I committed the high crime of assuming.
Yeah, I know, I committed the high crime of assuming.
Not saying that Koni's might not be too firm for some like RevGTO, but overall 95% of the feedback isn't in agreement--in fact most find Koni's to ride better than stock, or other cheaper shocks where other things like stupid springs and so on aren't interfering.
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www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
I'm seconding his experience that Bilsteins offer a smoother ride; Konis are harsher. This is a point that's been made by many guys on this forum. For most on this board, the increased dampening capability of the Konis makes it worth it. But there is a trade-off, and people should be aware of it. Reading this forum indicates a significant percentage of Koni purchasers are surprised to discover this after they've installed them.
Lets use some logic and reasoning to come to some sort of conclusion to this...
Let me ask this.. is the compression on Koni SA's any stiffer than Bilstien HD's front/rear? If it's about the same, then I'll argue that Bilstiens can only be as comfortable or more comfortable shock than the Bilstiens.
In the end.. ride comfort is all personal taste. Though if something has the range of adjustment that covers a wide range of adjustment of rebound when the compression is fine, then I'd like to make the arguement that the range puts the shock's potential in one's good ride comfort zone. aka making it a more comfortable shock. My guess is half of the people here who said Konis ride was uncomfortable didn't take the time to tune them.
Some shocks move like crap in the tube. Like STI stock shocks in my 05 I used to have. They felt like the car was always trying to break the piston free of being stuck. This can also be a big factor in ride comfort. I'm assuming Bilstiens are the complete opposite of this due to their great build quality.
Let me ask this.. is the compression on Koni SA's any stiffer than Bilstien HD's front/rear? If it's about the same, then I'll argue that Bilstiens can only be as comfortable or more comfortable shock than the Bilstiens.
In the end.. ride comfort is all personal taste. Though if something has the range of adjustment that covers a wide range of adjustment of rebound when the compression is fine, then I'd like to make the arguement that the range puts the shock's potential in one's good ride comfort zone. aka making it a more comfortable shock. My guess is half of the people here who said Konis ride was uncomfortable didn't take the time to tune them.
Some shocks move like crap in the tube. Like STI stock shocks in my 05 I used to have. They felt like the car was always trying to break the piston free of being stuck. This can also be a big factor in ride comfort. I'm assuming Bilstiens are the complete opposite of this due to their great build quality.
TECH Resident
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 827
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From: Dallas, TX
Lets use some logic and reasoning to come to some sort of conclusion to this...
Let me ask this.. is the compression on Koni SA's any stiffer than Bilstien HD's front/rear? If it's about the same, then I'll argue that Bilstiens can only be as comfortable or more comfortable shock than the Bilstiens.
In the end.. ride comfort is all personal taste. Though if something has the range of adjustment that covers a wide range of adjustment of rebound when the compression is fine, then I'd like to make the arguement that the range puts the shock's potential in one's good ride comfort zone. aka making it a more comfortable shock. My guess is half of the people here who said Konis ride was uncomfortable didn't take the time to tune them.
Some shocks move like crap in the tube. Like STI stock shocks in my 05 I used to have. They felt like the car was always trying to break the piston free of being stuck. This can also be a big factor in ride comfort. I'm assuming Bilstiens are the complete opposite of this due to their great build quality.
Let me ask this.. is the compression on Koni SA's any stiffer than Bilstien HD's front/rear? If it's about the same, then I'll argue that Bilstiens can only be as comfortable or more comfortable shock than the Bilstiens.
In the end.. ride comfort is all personal taste. Though if something has the range of adjustment that covers a wide range of adjustment of rebound when the compression is fine, then I'd like to make the arguement that the range puts the shock's potential in one's good ride comfort zone. aka making it a more comfortable shock. My guess is half of the people here who said Konis ride was uncomfortable didn't take the time to tune them.
Some shocks move like crap in the tube. Like STI stock shocks in my 05 I used to have. They felt like the car was always trying to break the piston free of being stuck. This can also be a big factor in ride comfort. I'm assuming Bilstiens are the complete opposite of this due to their great build quality.
As far as Koni vs Bilstein compression I would be interested to hear as well. My guess is the Konis have more compression firmness, though.
