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Convertible replacement shocks Question.

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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 12:03 PM
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Default Convertible replacement shocks Question.

Need to replace old shocks. I know Koni's would be great
but it's for my daily driver ss vert. Are the Strano valved Bilstiens
too harsh ? Are they a better solution than the SLP Bilstiens ?
The car has 137000 miles and isn't lowered. Also looking at
weld in SFCs. Right now the car feels OLD. Thanks
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 02:23 PM
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I haven't done specific valved Bilstein's for more than few years now. The costs involved, the lack of warranty from the revalving added to the lack of adjustment ceased to make it worthwhile any longer.

SLP Bilstein's are on sale (but only for a few more days) for $384.99 + $5 handling fee, but free shipping. They would certainly be a huge improvement vs. stock 137k mile shocks. They aren't Koni's, but might seem like it compared to what you have.

It's like anything else, how good do you want to go?

FWIW, Koni's are also on sale (also only for a few more days).
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 02:36 PM
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That is a great price.
Would you say that's the best for my
situation?
That is about the limit budget wise.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 03:06 PM
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I think that's your best option by far on a budget of $400 for a set.
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Old Dec 29, 2009 | 03:16 PM
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Thanks I'll buy soon.
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Old Nov 6, 2010 | 05:31 PM
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So I just bought. Soon I guess means almost a year later....
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Old Nov 9, 2010 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by jims73z
So I just bought. Soon I guess means almost a year later....
let me know how do you like it. i am on the same boat on deciding between blistein or konis.
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Old Nov 9, 2010 | 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by jims73z
So I just bought. Soon I guess means almost a year later....


lmao...
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Old Nov 9, 2010 | 06:46 PM
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They were shipped today. Reviews to follow.
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Old Nov 15, 2010 | 08:52 PM
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Installed today, old shocks completely worn out 153000 miles now.. New slp Bilstiens make it feel like a different car, more like how a new car feels. Not harsh at all.
Thanks again
I wish I hadn't waited so long. I need to go over Ortega Hwy to get a real feel.

Last edited by jims73z; Nov 15, 2010 at 08:58 PM.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 10:20 AM
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Wow, you did not waste any time in getting them on! Glad you find the difference as massive as most do.

I'll add you to the list of believers in what a good set of shocks can do, and why if one is looking to improve the handling and ride of a car with miles, the shocks are the place to start.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 10:32 AM
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Thanks again Sam.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 02:32 PM
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Ortega's not to bad place to give em a try it just gets a bit busy. Let me know when you wanna hit Palomar Mtn.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 03:40 PM
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I've always wanted to check that road out.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 09:16 PM
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We'll talk about it at the Irvine meet.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 10:30 AM
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Jim, did you install any lowering springs? I am planning to get the bilstein as well, and was wondering how they hold up with lowering springs.

Also, please count me in on the Ortega hwy run or Palomar mtn run.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 12:29 PM
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No lowering springs for me. Car came with eibachs that had collapsed so I've been at stock height ever since. My father in law has a 98 vert ss that sits like 2 inches higher than mine.
Anyways consensus is you need the best shock you can afford for lowered cars.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by redracer1
Ortega's not to bad place to give em a try it just gets a bit busy. Let me know when you wanna hit Palomar Mtn.
i love the palomar mtn road. when that gets busy, give mesa grande a shot
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...4,0.22007&z=12

despite the lack of elevation changes, that drive will really work tires and brakes, just watch out for gravel on one spot where there's a 35mph(?) turn over hill next to someone's gravel driveway. each time i've been on that road, there's been, at the most, like 1 car and a few bikes going all out. i found it trolling bike and m3 message boards for nice roads.
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Old Nov 21, 2010 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by jims73z
No lowering springs for me. Car came with eibachs that had collapsed so I've been at stock height ever since. My father in law has a 98 vert ss that sits like 2 inches higher than mine.
Anyways consensus is you need the best shock you can afford for lowered cars.
I hear you on that one, wife will not budge on the konis though, she would only settle for bilstein and I really want the lowered car look.

Originally Posted by BobDoLe
i love the palomar mtn road. when that gets busy, give mesa grande a shot
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...4,0.22007&z=12

despite the lack of elevation changes, that drive will really work tires and brakes, just watch out for gravel on one spot where there's a 35mph(?) turn over hill next to someone's gravel driveway. each time i've been on that road, there's been, at the most, like 1 car and a few bikes going all out. i found it trolling bike and m3 message boards for nice roads.
That looks good! We should all get together at the Irvine meet and have our little vert section.
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Old Nov 22, 2010 | 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by tmdz28
I hear you on that one, wife will not budge on the konis though, she would only settle for bilstein and I really want the lowered car look.



That looks good! We should all get together at the Irvine meet and have our little vert section.
that meet looks like its going to be awesome, but i'll be out of town for work.

i ran bilsteins with eibach prokit and it was low and handled better than stock, but you do get some bumpstop harshness on some bumps around road imperfections. i tried eibach prokit springs on bilstein shocks and then on koni sa shocks and the bilsteins feel similar to koni sa on softest settings (rebound). the konis on softest were definitely superior though. if you're on a budget, i'd recommend confirming with strano on the best compromise or you might be out more $ than you need to be in the long run.
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