Bilstien's and stock springs...

[bwest]

After a few years of rattling my teeth with some JIC FLT-2's, i was looking at going back to a more 'civilized' shock/spring set-up while maintaining some of my bumper-dragging ride height. I know that bilstien's have an adjustable spring mount - has anyone tried the combo?

While i'm not looking for bmw smooth, i'm over the stiffness of the JIC's and would like something more 'compliant'...

 

[garagefujimoto]

I like em they hold the road good but you wouldnt have any issue taking your gramma around either

 

[Asterix]

Maybe they're different from when I tried them over 10 years ago, but at that point, the Bilstien's had way too much bump damping. Sure, it was better than stock shocks, but it was bad in a different way. Surely you can find different springs to go on your JICs. Try 420lb/in in the front and 250lb/in in the rear, then play with your damping to match. It's not Cadillac plush, but not like rocks either.

Asterix

 

[bwest]

Asterix - i'll look into what i have for spring rates (convert from Kg to lb/in) and look into your suggestion.

What i find to be the biggest issue w/ the JIC's (i'm sure this is part of the compromise with all coilovers) is the lack of shock strock length (in combo with the high spring rates) in comparison to stock. I've cut an inch off the shock bump stop and decreased spring pre-load (big help) but IMO, the compression is too sharp while the rebound is poorly controlled. I've played with the shock valve adjustments (from one end of the spectrum to the other, with difference amounts of spring pre-load) and am at a decent balance, but it seems off from ideal still.

My rears started to leak, so they need to be sent in for a rebuild anyway, hence the reason this idea came up.

 

[supra90turbo]

I'll take the JIC's off your hands!

 

[bwest]

PM me an offer I can't refuse!!!

 

[IJ.]

I'll take the JIC's off your hands!

 

[supra90turbo]

hahaha you're right Ian!

 

[bwest]

So nobody else have opinions on the bilstiens and stock springs, eh? Ian, i remember you mentioning the springs you were using with your koni's were an off (non-us marketed) brand, what were the details on those (if you don't mind me asking)?

PM replied....

 

[IJ.]

BW: I'm using Eibachs now but I was using an Aussie made King Spring that were an uprate from stock in stiffness and a couple of inches lower.

 

[malloynx]

if you want some bilstein detail hit me up. I WORK AT BILSTEIN and i build motorsport shocks all day

 

[supra90turbo]

^ ass!

 

[Asterix]

My rears started to leak, so they need to be sent in for a rebuild anyway, hence the reason this idea came up.

Well, in that case, a competent rebuilder should be able to give you whatever damping characteristics you want. Truechoice rebuilt my Konis years ago and did a great job. I don't know if they do JICs or not, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. They may know who does them if they don't. It'll be cheaper than buying new shocks, and you get to keep the ride height and preload adjustments.

You do want lots of low-speed bump, but not much high-speed to let the tire move quickly without lifting the car. Rebound, I suspect, would be similarly set up. I think the Bilstiens had too much high-speed bump. That makes it skittish over rippled pavement. Tell them how heavy our cars are, and the type of spring rates you want, and they should have some suggestion.

You could always try the Bilstiens while your JICs are getting rebuilt, and if you don't like them, sell them.

Asterix

 

[supra90turbo]

You could always try the Bilstiens while your JICs are getting rebuilt, and if you don't like them, sell them.

True statement. You may lose $50, but it's worth it...

 

[bwest]

That is actually what i was thinking of doing. Thanks guys for all the suggestions. Malloy, i'll have some questions for you shortly...

 

[bwest]

Malloy, check your pm's.....a few questions sent.

 

[Ckanderson]

Maybe they're different from when I tried them over 10 years ago, but at that point, the Bilstien's had way too much bump damping. Sure, it was better than stock shocks, but it was bad in a different way. Asterix

still the same..car felt all wierd with bilstiens and ST springs.

 

[bwest]

CK - would you describe 'wierd' for me? wierd how?

 

[NashMan]

I'll take the JIC's off your hands!

man i call dib's i was here longer hehehehehhe

 

[bwest]

For those interested:
Got off the phone w/ JIC, they said 120/ shock for a rebuild pending what is wrong of course. They test them on their shock dyno before opening them up. I talked with their support guy further about set-up and he has quite the list of parameters for setting the suspension up correctly (which i expected). Anyway, just passing along the info like i said i would.