Springs - BMR vs. Stranos
08-30-2010, 04:36 PM
#42
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08-31-2010, 10:31 AM
#46
Only chiming in to answer your question.
Yes, I have springs in stock. But today is the last day I'm here for the next 12 (going to SCCA Nationals tomorrow), so if you want 'em on the way today--you have to get a order in ASAP. Otherwise, I'll ship them first thing when I return.
Yes, I have springs in stock. But today is the last day I'm here for the next 12 (going to SCCA Nationals tomorrow), so if you want 'em on the way today--you have to get a order in ASAP. Otherwise, I'll ship them first thing when I return.
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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
08-31-2010, 01:46 PM
#47
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i have BMR springs, and i do like them and how they sit, though i think they are a little lower than 1.25" drop. do not let them sell you tokico's with them though... listen to these guys and get better shocks first! im looking into koni's as we speak, at least to help the rear from bouncing all around and bottoming out every time i take her out... my tokico's up front work well, and i wont replace those for a while...
(rims are staggered 17-18" , and pic was before alignment, if you can tell the camber is wicked)
(rims are staggered 17-18" , and pic was before alignment, if you can tell the camber is wicked)
08-31-2010, 08:50 PM
#49
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Without getting too technical, lets clear up some things about shocks and springs in simple terms. Springs simply resists compression or extension depending on application, but for us, they resist being compressed at some rate usually measured in lbs. The specifics doesn't really matter to us.
A shock absorber's job is to slow (dampen) how quickly the springs move, again in simple terms. Due to valving, it can slow the compression at a different rate than extension (rebound). The easy way to look at it is if you have a spring and place a 50lb weight on it gently, the spring may compress 3", but if you were to drop it from 3 feet on the same spring it would compress it maybe 5", but then bounce it back up and back down oscilating till it settled out to the 3". Why, because the weight being dropped had momentum and a shock absorber's job is to reduce the momentum of the car putting the weight down on the springs, again in simple terms.
So take a stock f-body with decarbons and factory springs. Both are relatively soft. That's where you get the floating feeling from our cars when stock. As bad as each is, they are kindof matched to each other.
Now, take those soft shocks, and add a much stiffer, shorter spring, and that's what you get with both the Strano and BMR springs and most of the other aftermarket springs. Now the shock is unable to control both the compression or rebound of the spring, which is the recipe for a shitty driving experience.
Like I said, if what you are after for a spring is an appearance mod, then take your factory spring and cut off the coils till you reach your desired appearance. The car will arguably handle and ride better since the shock will not be facing a compression rate that the aftermarket springs have.
So honestly, decide what you really want. If it's just a lower stance, save the $200+ and just cut your factory springs if you don't care about the car handling or riding like crap. Trust me, I was told 10 years ago that I could run lowering springs with stock shocks and the car drove like total ****. Every bump rattled your teeth. I was embarassed to have people ride in my car. I finally talked to Sam and realized that even though you could bolt up higher rate, lower springs, it was a bad thing to do.
A shock absorber's job is to slow (dampen) how quickly the springs move, again in simple terms. Due to valving, it can slow the compression at a different rate than extension (rebound). The easy way to look at it is if you have a spring and place a 50lb weight on it gently, the spring may compress 3", but if you were to drop it from 3 feet on the same spring it would compress it maybe 5", but then bounce it back up and back down oscilating till it settled out to the 3". Why, because the weight being dropped had momentum and a shock absorber's job is to reduce the momentum of the car putting the weight down on the springs, again in simple terms.
So take a stock f-body with decarbons and factory springs. Both are relatively soft. That's where you get the floating feeling from our cars when stock. As bad as each is, they are kindof matched to each other.
Now, take those soft shocks, and add a much stiffer, shorter spring, and that's what you get with both the Strano and BMR springs and most of the other aftermarket springs. Now the shock is unable to control both the compression or rebound of the spring, which is the recipe for a shitty driving experience.
Like I said, if what you are after for a spring is an appearance mod, then take your factory spring and cut off the coils till you reach your desired appearance. The car will arguably handle and ride better since the shock will not be facing a compression rate that the aftermarket springs have.
So honestly, decide what you really want. If it's just a lower stance, save the $200+ and just cut your factory springs if you don't care about the car handling or riding like crap. Trust me, I was told 10 years ago that I could run lowering springs with stock shocks and the car drove like total ****. Every bump rattled your teeth. I was embarassed to have people ride in my car. I finally talked to Sam and realized that even though you could bolt up higher rate, lower springs, it was a bad thing to do.
Good post, I shouldn't have sold you my Strano's. I am sure I will end up with another set anyway.
08-31-2010, 10:47 PM
#50
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FYI strano springs are in stock, ordered my set today!! He will not be able to ship any orders until the 13th though.
Jesus rabbit that is low! Thats way more than the 1.25" drop they advertise! Those are the new design right?
Jesus rabbit that is low! Thats way more than the 1.25" drop they advertise! Those are the new design right?
09-02-2010, 11:59 PM
#53
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Since we are on the subject, I have 20k on my bilstein HD's on stock 98 WS6 springs and my car rides super harsh and the handling sucks. So I'm getting a vette.
But seriously, SFCs and a STB did more to improve the ride/handling in my car than the shocks. I plan on getting the stranos though.
But seriously, SFCs and a STB did more to improve the ride/handling in my car than the shocks. I plan on getting the stranos though.
09-03-2010, 01:44 PM
#54
I'll probably join the ranks of the Koni/Strano people next spring. My suspension is getting tired. Gotta wait until I have the funds though.
Since we are on the subject, I have 20k on my bilstein HD's on stock 98 WS6 springs and my car rides super harsh and the handling sucks. So I'm getting a vette.
But seriously, SFCs and a STB did more to improve the ride/handling in my car than the shocks. I plan on getting the stranos though.
But seriously, SFCs and a STB did more to improve the ride/handling in my car than the shocks. I plan on getting the stranos though.
09-03-2010, 07:23 PM
#55
TECH Senior Member
Since we are on the subject, I have 20k on my bilstein HD's on stock 98 WS6 springs and my car rides super harsh and the handling sucks. So I'm getting a vette.
But seriously, SFCs and a STB did more to improve the ride/handling in my car than the shocks. I plan on getting the stranos though.
But seriously, SFCs and a STB did more to improve the ride/handling in my car than the shocks. I plan on getting the stranos though.
What kind of wheels/tires? Whats the tire pressure set at? Are you sure your suspension is stock?
But "over dampening" (more than enough rebound) is why BMWs drive so great...
09-05-2010, 09:08 PM
#56
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Give more insight here on your setup.
What kind of wheels/tires? Whats the tire pressure set at? Are you sure your suspension is stock?
Actually its the other way around (unless you are talking about compression, which the stock shocks are known for having too much).
But "over dampening" (more than enough rebound) is why BMWs drive so great...
What kind of wheels/tires? Whats the tire pressure set at? Are you sure your suspension is stock?
Actually its the other way around (unless you are talking about compression, which the stock shocks are known for having too much).
But "over dampening" (more than enough rebound) is why BMWs drive so great...
Stock 98 WS6 springs but non-stock bilsteins. I saw more of an improvement in my ride quality when I added the subframes and strut tower. The ride is still stiff, but less body shutter and flex on uneven surfaces/public roads.
I heard that the spring rates in the WS6 cars changed over the years, is there any truth to that?
09-06-2010, 02:07 PM
#57
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I was kidding mostly. I am running stock wheels and tires 275/17 at 35psi.
Stock 98 WS6 springs but non-stock bilsteins. I saw more of an improvement in my ride quality when I added the subframes and strut tower. The ride is still stiff, but less body shutter and flex on uneven surfaces/public roads.
I heard that the spring rates in the WS6 cars changed over the years, is there any truth to that?
Stock 98 WS6 springs but non-stock bilsteins. I saw more of an improvement in my ride quality when I added the subframes and strut tower. The ride is still stiff, but less body shutter and flex on uneven surfaces/public roads.
I heard that the spring rates in the WS6 cars changed over the years, is there any truth to that?
Yes supposedly the early WS6/SS models came with 1LE springs while the later ones got the standard V8 springs.
09-08-2010, 07:44 PM
#58
Sam sells a GREAT product and will NEVER try to upsale you. His tech support is the best in the biz too... He went into great detail about my spring / bar / Koni / PHB install down to the alignment specs needed.... He is a racer so he knows his stuff....
Having said that my LT car had several BMR parts and my current car has a BMR TA relo bracket and all parts were very nicely designed and built....
Really they both sell nice stuff but I think Sam's technical expertise give him the edge. When you call Sam on the phone you are talking with the guy who designed some of his stuff and won National championships with it and with BMR you get a sales rep.... this is not intended as a slap at BMR but just the way it is with a large company....
Having said that my LT car had several BMR parts and my current car has a BMR TA relo bracket and all parts were very nicely designed and built....
Really they both sell nice stuff but I think Sam's technical expertise give him the edge. When you call Sam on the phone you are talking with the guy who designed some of his stuff and won National championships with it and with BMR you get a sales rep.... this is not intended as a slap at BMR but just the way it is with a large company....
09-08-2010, 09:50 PM
#59
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I think Sam's technical expertise give him the edge. When you call Sam on the phone you are talking with the guy who designed some of his stuff and won National championships with it and with BMR you get a sales rep.... this is not intended as a slap at BMR but just the way it is with a large company....
09-10-2010, 12:35 PM
#60
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Yeah I got them new. My 98 WS6 definitely sits a bit lower and rides a bit stiffer than my friends stock suspension 02 WS6. Could be sag but I highly doubt it considering mileage is equal on both cars.
