Toasty

iTrader: (13)

Where can I go about getting revalved Bilstein shocks? I have Prokit springs and am looking for a shock to match without blowing a grand on QA1's. Thanks.

Urban Legend

iTrader: (5)

http://www.stranoparts.com/

Bad Blu Formula

iTrader: (3)

Or, you can save yourself a little money and just go straight to Bilstien.

Tobynine9

iTrader: (17)

Just browsing around I saw Bilstein makes a complete kit, springs and all. Part no. BTS-7501.

Online dealers listed on Bilstein's site retailed the kit for just under $600. Says the shocks are specifically tuned to the springs.

Anybody used this kit? Like it? Hate it?

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

My opinion, having used them, and as one who carries them.... it's a sales pitch. BTW if someone is hell-bent on them I have them for $570.

The springs are quite stiff, the shocks are not valved differently at all, just with some internal stops added. A number of my customers have had them, and changed them.

Do not base the book by it's cover. Bilstein is a good name, but that doesn't mean every single product is 100% perfect. If they had these "specially valved" shocks for the lowering springs, then why don't they offer a Sport valving for the car? After all, that's what they'd be (as Sports are meant for lowered cars). Yet they don't show it. That's because it's a sales ploy IMHO.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

You could. But do you know what you want for valving? Does the guy you are talking to @ Bilstein know anything about your specific car? Do they even ask your spring rates? Do you even know your spring rates?

I do add a small fee on top of what Bilstein charges me for revalving. It's for my time and research on different valvings. I don't do generic changes. If that's what you want then by all means go straight to Bilstein. If you want something thought out for your situation, you might want to consider coming to the guy who got the whole Revalving thing for these cars started. And the one who uses his knowledge of other shocks as well to help determine valvings.

Up to you.

GreekGator

Sam, how much do revalved Bilstein's go for from you?

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

$500 a set

RollTideTA

So Sam, are you saying that you revalve them all differently depending on the needs of the customer? Thats awesome! lol ...

So I guess If someone wanted to order some revalved bilsteins... AKA ME... to go with their prokit, you would just need to call instead of just ordering them online?

02SS0384

iTrader: (1)

Give Sam a call he will go over what your driving habits are and what you are expecting. I'm very happy with my setup.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

You are exactly right on both counts.

Rescue Ranger

iTrader: (10)

I'll be ordering mine from Sam.. after I recover from $1000 of exhaust parts I just bought yesterday... :/

RrCoX22

iTrader: (6)

ditto except for the exhaust part... TTII's and Nitto's

AbsolutHank

iTrader: (4)

As many members as Sam has helped on this site, I can't believe I have to post this to "defend" him. First off, Sam is in business to make a dollar, however he is not about to rip anybody off or give bad advice. I spoke to him personally about my car and about a couple suspension setups for some old hotrods we are building - not only is he down to earth and a nice guy, he is extremely knowledgable. Any idiot who suggests buying an aftermarket stock shock to work with a lowered spring setup is just that, an idiot. With the car sitting 1-2 inches below stock height, the stock shock, or aftermarket replacement(i.e. Bilstein HD) cannot dampen correctly or efficiently as its not its its correct "range."

Over the weekend, I just installed revalved Bilsteins that I ordered from Sam on my 98 Trans Am lowered with a Pro Kit. After answering all the appropriate questions from Sam, he came up with the correct revalve for the shocks, based on my driving characteristics(in my case a DD with little or no track time). The difference is huge to say the least. The ride is firm, but not bumpy and the car seems to swallow up the bumps. With the deCarbons, it would bang through the bumps and then float along like a Buick.

Bottom line...save up an extra week and get what your car needs - your *** will thank you for it

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Thanks for ringing in with your results. And more importantly, I'm very glad to hear you like your shocks!

Viper

iTrader: (6)

Since 2002, my strano revalved Bilsteins rock!