Bilstein shocks
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, NC
Bilstein shocks who has input on the Bilstein HD shocks ( all 4 ) ? I mean how good are they compared to a stock WS6 shocks? They seem to be very affordably price...I really want Koni's but I'm not sure if they are worth the extra money... ALso will SLP 1" lowering springs add any difference to ride quality or curving performance?
thanks...
also looking for some comments on ppl who've had Bilstein's...
thanks...
also looking for some comments on ppl who've had Bilstein's...
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Can't comment on the springs since I have never used them.
I have used Bils' on all sorts of cars and trucks for years. I think I had maybe two that gave out and needed a warranty claim done. They are OEM on a whole bunch of high end vehicles out there.
They are much better than worn out stockers that's a given. Buy a set and don't look back.
I have used Bils' on all sorts of cars and trucks for years. I think I had maybe two that gave out and needed a warranty claim done. They are OEM on a whole bunch of high end vehicles out there.
They are much better than worn out stockers that's a given. Buy a set and don't look back.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, NC
Can't comment on the springs since I have never used them.
I have used Bils' on all sorts of cars and trucks for years. I think I had maybe two that gave out and needed a warranty claim done. They are OEM on a whole bunch of high end vehicles out there.
They are much better than worn out stockers that's a given. Buy a set and don't look back.
I have used Bils' on all sorts of cars and trucks for years. I think I had maybe two that gave out and needed a warranty claim done. They are OEM on a whole bunch of high end vehicles out there.
They are much better than worn out stockers that's a given. Buy a set and don't look back.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Bilsteins are one of the best shocks for the money (about $100 per shock) My car came with the SLP package which is blue Eibachs and yellow specially valved Bilsteins. I have always thought of it as a firm sporty ride. It will go around smooth corners faster then I want to. On broken pavement it may act up, I dunno bc I dont drive that fast in corners. Strano said he thought the set-up was a good combo but not as track oriented as he would like, and I could definitely believe that.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, NC
ok I'm gonna buy relocation brackets, single adj. panhard bar, and single adj. LCA's and UMI sway bars (front and rear)......Probably Bilstein shocks with SLP 1" drop springs.
Trending Topics
If you're looking for road manners and still be able to drive it in the corners, there's really no need to upgrade from the stock springs, unless you want to lower the car a bit. While the SLP's aren't really bad springs, there are better alternatives out there (springs with better rates for the drop amount are available, and SLP's tend to lower the rear more than the front AFAIK). If you don't need to lower, the best riding springs will be stock, plus with good shocks you can still push it around the corners a lot better than you'd think (ask me how I know 
)
A few other things:
-You don't really need adjustable LCA's because you're lowering, but that's your call. If you're upgrading them as it is, you might as well get the adjustable pieces.
-Relocation brackets may or may not be necessary. If you don't experience traction problems without them, you don't really need to have them....if you move the rear side of the LCA down too far you can end up with understeer issues also....best angle of the LCA's for a street car is with the LCA's parallel to the ground.
-I would recommend a double adjustable piece for the PHB. By double adjustable, I mean an on-car adjustable piece, not that there's an adjuster on each end (I got this confused a while back, lol). It just makes adjusting easier, but is not necessary by any means....once they're on the car they don't do anything differently!
)A few other things:
-You don't really need adjustable LCA's because you're lowering, but that's your call. If you're upgrading them as it is, you might as well get the adjustable pieces.
-Relocation brackets may or may not be necessary. If you don't experience traction problems without them, you don't really need to have them....if you move the rear side of the LCA down too far you can end up with understeer issues also....best angle of the LCA's for a street car is with the LCA's parallel to the ground.
-I would recommend a double adjustable piece for the PHB. By double adjustable, I mean an on-car adjustable piece, not that there's an adjuster on each end (I got this confused a while back, lol). It just makes adjusting easier, but is not necessary by any means....once they're on the car they don't do anything differently!
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, NC
gotcha on the springs. I wanted to upgrade, figured they'd help performance wise with curving.
I dont really want to lower and i wanted LCA's and relocate brackets for once again, suspension upgrade, thats really all. and I need to do something because my T/A spins new rubber like their on fire.
so basically i'm buying for suspension upgrades. after your post, i'm confused on what to upgrade now.
I dont really want to lower and i wanted LCA's and relocate brackets for once again, suspension upgrade, thats really all. and I need to do something because my T/A spins new rubber like their on fire.
so basically i'm buying for suspension upgrades. after your post, i'm confused on what to upgrade now.
If u have traction issues, the LCA's and brackets could help a lot, I was just saying the brackets may not be necessary.
As for springs, if u don't want to lower I'd just stick with the stock springs, they're actually pretty good. The shocks and sways (UMI's are very good, as well as Stranos) make the largest handling difference.
Sorry for confusing you! I'm just trying to help and save you some money.
I'd also definitely call Sam Strano....he's a great guy to buy from and he's great with recommendations!
As for springs, if u don't want to lower I'd just stick with the stock springs, they're actually pretty good. The shocks and sways (UMI's are very good, as well as Stranos) make the largest handling difference.
Sorry for confusing you! I'm just trying to help and save you some money.
I'd also definitely call Sam Strano....he's a great guy to buy from and he's great with recommendations!
My friend and I bought our '02 SS's at the same time, he upgraded to the SLP Bilstein setup whereas I took stock GM Decarbon stuff. BRAND NEW his car was waaay more composed handling wise - night and day difference. I can't imagine what worn out Decarbons feel like... Needless to say, I upgraded shortly thereafter to the SLP stuff and finally felt some chassis composure! A lot less brake dive, far less bouncy and better grip in the corners! Excellent upgrade, esp if you like a good ride as well. Controlling the chassis' mass without a punishing ride is the holy grail of shock valving. Bilsteins for our F body do a great job and are a quality product. Are there more ride oriented shocks out there? Yes. Are there more performance oriented shocks out there? Yes. Decide what you expect out of your car.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (8)
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, NC
ok so for now i'm just gonna buy Bilstein HD set of 4 and probably the UMI sway bars ( 35mm and 25mm, front to rear ). Try that out. does panhard bar help handling out any? and LCA's are for traction only right?
BTW, if you call Sam up I believe the SLP Bilsteins are a nice amount cheaper than the HD's, and they're almost identical now.
gotcha on the springs. I wanted to upgrade, figured they'd help performance wise with curving.
I dont really want to lower and i wanted LCA's and relocate brackets for once again, suspension upgrade, thats really all. and I need to do something because my T/A spins new rubber like their on fire.
so basically i'm buying for suspension upgrades. after your post, i'm confused on what to upgrade now.
I dont really want to lower and i wanted LCA's and relocate brackets for once again, suspension upgrade, thats really all. and I need to do something because my T/A spins new rubber like their on fire.
so basically i'm buying for suspension upgrades. after your post, i'm confused on what to upgrade now.
well, my mother has a stock 02 ws6. i have a Z28 with 32mm NOS swaybar, poly swaybar bushings and endlinks on both ends (F&B), and HD bilsteins (bought in 08). Mine rides and handles much better than hers, night and day.
If it matters, she has about 100k miles on the clock, and I have 59k. 15k miles on the bilsteins.
Not bad for about 500 dollars worth of parts IMO. Would do it again.
If it matters, she has about 100k miles on the clock, and I have 59k. 15k miles on the bilsteins.
Not bad for about 500 dollars worth of parts IMO. Would do it again.
