Difference between SLP Bilstein and Bilstein HDs?
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Teching In
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Difference between SLP Bilstein and Bilstein HDs? Besides the obvious (that the SLPs are designed for the SLP Eibach springs), what is the difference between the two? I heard that the SLP Bilsteins actually use two of the same shocks (front or rear) as the HDs?
Thanks.
Thanks.
The rears are the same part #. The fronts have less
compression damping and more rebound damping
than the HDs, which probably makes them more
suitable for a higher-rate spring (you would need
and want less bump resistance because the spring
is stronger, but need more rebound resistance to
scrub off the extra spring energy?).
compression damping and more rebound damping
than the HDs, which probably makes them more
suitable for a higher-rate spring (you would need
and want less bump resistance because the spring
is stronger, but need more rebound resistance to
scrub off the extra spring energy?).
I believe they're more suitable for a lowering spring than
the HDs. Of course if you're gonna be hardcore then
somebody will tell you to get revalved Bilsteins instead.
I put Hotchkiss springs and SLP Bilsteins on, the other
week. The combo is tight. The rear was a little too hard
for my liking (see my air shocks post). The front is also
harder than stock springs / DeCarbons but more livable.
The SLP fronts have a rate profile that I think matches
the SLP Eibachs by design, and it's not much of a step
from those to either Hotchkiss or Eibach Pro-Kit in terms
of drop or spring rate.
I would say to pick the SLPs over the HDs, beyond that
it's a lot bigger bucks. In fact I'd kinda recommend only
getting the SLP Bilstein fronts, and then spend the rear
money trying out other, lower-buck rear alternatives
(since they are easy to swap and you may not like the
buckboard ride any more than I did). Also the Hotchkiss
rear spring rate is not as far off from the original V-8 rear,
as their front is from stock front rate so I think the car will
be more tolerant of you trying out other heavy-duty rear
shocks (if you find that the DeCarbons already on there
are coming up short, which they may not, your call). But
I would do the fronts because they are a whole lot of work
to do twice, and the fronts are going to be more challenged
by the higher spring rate vs stock.
the HDs. Of course if you're gonna be hardcore then
somebody will tell you to get revalved Bilsteins instead.
I put Hotchkiss springs and SLP Bilsteins on, the other
week. The combo is tight. The rear was a little too hard
for my liking (see my air shocks post). The front is also
harder than stock springs / DeCarbons but more livable.
The SLP fronts have a rate profile that I think matches
the SLP Eibachs by design, and it's not much of a step
from those to either Hotchkiss or Eibach Pro-Kit in terms
of drop or spring rate.
I would say to pick the SLPs over the HDs, beyond that
it's a lot bigger bucks. In fact I'd kinda recommend only
getting the SLP Bilstein fronts, and then spend the rear
money trying out other, lower-buck rear alternatives
(since they are easy to swap and you may not like the
buckboard ride any more than I did). Also the Hotchkiss
rear spring rate is not as far off from the original V-8 rear,
as their front is from stock front rate so I think the car will
be more tolerant of you trying out other heavy-duty rear
shocks (if you find that the DeCarbons already on there
are coming up short, which they may not, your call). But
I would do the fronts because they are a whole lot of work
to do twice, and the fronts are going to be more challenged
by the higher spring rate vs stock.
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for stock springs, the hd's would be better. they are made to handle the stock spring rates, or "20% more" (as quoted from bilstein).
either bilstein will be fine for a pro-kit - slp or hd.
the hotchkis are progressive springs, and neither the hd's or the slp bilsteins are set up to handle a progressive rate spring. however, the slp's would probably be the better choice, since they are made for stiffer springs rates. however, i have hd's on my dms springs, and the dms springs are stiffer than hotchkis (progressive also). i have no complaints.
either bilstein will be fine for a pro-kit - slp or hd.
the hotchkis are progressive springs, and neither the hd's or the slp bilsteins are set up to handle a progressive rate spring. however, the slp's would probably be the better choice, since they are made for stiffer springs rates. however, i have hd's on my dms springs, and the dms springs are stiffer than hotchkis (progressive also). i have no complaints.
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Verdad Gallardo I believe the SLP Eibachs are progressive rate springs,
223-448 #/in. A bit softer than the Hotchkiss and slightly
less drop. These are the springs that the SLP Bilsteins
are meant for. The Eibach Pro-Kit is a heavier rate than
either of those.
223-448 #/in. A bit softer than the Hotchkiss and slightly
less drop. These are the springs that the SLP Bilsteins
are meant for. The Eibach Pro-Kit is a heavier rate than
either of those.
Originally Posted by jimmyblue
I believe the SLP Eibachs are progressive rate springs,
223-448 #/in. A bit softer than the Hotchkiss and slightly
less drop. These are the springs that the SLP Bilsteins
are meant for. The Eibach Pro-Kit is a heavier rate than
either of those.
223-448 #/in. A bit softer than the Hotchkiss and slightly
less drop. These are the springs that the SLP Bilsteins
are meant for. The Eibach Pro-Kit is a heavier rate than
either of those.
Originally Posted by 2w0s060
I just put on the HD's and the prokit, I havent had a chance to really drive it with the weather, I hope I didnt screw up
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 579
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Originally Posted by tuffluck
you can't really screw up your suspension by putting new parts on it. stock shocks suck worse than anything, and stock springs were meant on 4x4s. as far as handling, anything is a handling improvement over stock. don't worry about it, you're fine.
