Gonna get bilsteins finally think these are ok?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 516
From: Illinois
Gonna get bilsteins finally think these are ok?
These are on ebay for $338 shipped. They are front and rear HD's. They are the cheapest I have found anywhere to go with my lowering springs. They look ok?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-03...em160202124890
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/93-03...em160202124890
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 715
From: Brookville, PA
I keep trying to tell folks that the Bilstein's of today are not the Bilstein's of yesterday (even 2 years ago). If you want to buy shocks that have had valving changes that make them more like the DeCarbon's that's your business. When Bilstein's are around, I sell a lot of them. Before the huge backorders, I had all but stopped selling HD's for the 4th gen because of the changes and more than a few complaints that just weren't right.
It bothers me that these details aren't discussed. Nobody would by a camshaft without knowing the specs, or tires, or headers without knowing the primary sizes or collector sizes. But yet folks buy springs and shocks and such without these details.
It bothers me that these details aren't discussed. Nobody would by a camshaft without knowing the specs, or tires, or headers without knowing the primary sizes or collector sizes. But yet folks buy springs and shocks and such without these details.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 85
I keep trying to tell folks that the Bilstein's of today are not the Bilstein's of yesterday (even 2 years ago). If you want to buy shocks that have had valving changes that make them more like the DeCarbon's that's your business. When Bilstein's are around, I sell a lot of them. Before the huge backorders, I had all but stopped selling HD's for the 4th gen because of the changes and more than a few complaints that just weren't right.
It bothers me that these details aren't discussed. Nobody would by a camshaft without knowing the specs, or tires, or headers without knowing the primary sizes or collector sizes. But yet folks buy springs and shocks and such without these details.
It bothers me that these details aren't discussed. Nobody would by a camshaft without knowing the specs, or tires, or headers without knowing the primary sizes or collector sizes. But yet folks buy springs and shocks and such without these details.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 715
From: Brookville, PA
I can't tell anyone to run "this shock" without talking things over with them, there are just a lot of details that matter and presumably they will stay on the car for a long time to come.
I'm not going to argue that a car might not feel better than stock with them. But what I will point out is that the comparisons are flawed. It's not hard to improve on GM shocks and spring combinations and very few people have had the opprotunity to feel different shocks on their own car where setup differences aren't part of the equation. Basically if you can't compare to something else, you could very well think you have the best. I'll add that there are folks who have had other shocks, including various Bilstein's and later switched to Koni's for example, and they have posted the results in various forums. And I can't think of a person that hasn't found it to be a good change.
I'm not saying Greed4Speed's car is a unholy mess. I'm saying I know it's not what it could be. And frankly given the choice of the current valving on the HD's, I'd normally recommend KYB AGX's if Koni's are not an option.
I'm not going to argue that a car might not feel better than stock with them. But what I will point out is that the comparisons are flawed. It's not hard to improve on GM shocks and spring combinations and very few people have had the opprotunity to feel different shocks on their own car where setup differences aren't part of the equation. Basically if you can't compare to something else, you could very well think you have the best. I'll add that there are folks who have had other shocks, including various Bilstein's and later switched to Koni's for example, and they have posted the results in various forums. And I can't think of a person that hasn't found it to be a good change.
I'm not saying Greed4Speed's car is a unholy mess. I'm saying I know it's not what it could be. And frankly given the choice of the current valving on the HD's, I'd normally recommend KYB AGX's if Koni's are not an option.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 121
From: Jamesburg, NJ
Listen to Sam...we researched this issue around the same time when I was looking to upgrade.
The engineer with Bilstein (he probably shouldn't have, but he did) revelead the setting on the "new" Bilsteins to me. They basically copied SLP's settings, which made the new ones even worse then the old HD's.
If you like a soft, mushy ride in the back, you'll like the Bilstein's. If you want to know how to make an F-body handle...Sam's the man.
You've been warned...
The engineer with Bilstein (he probably shouldn't have, but he did) revelead the setting on the "new" Bilsteins to me. They basically copied SLP's settings, which made the new ones even worse then the old HD's.
If you like a soft, mushy ride in the back, you'll like the Bilstein's. If you want to know how to make an F-body handle...Sam's the man.
You've been warned...
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 715
From: Brookville, PA
The numbers I have make it worse. The front they copied SLP (less compression, more rebound) but that's not ideal. More rebound is good.... but they went and took some compression out and that's what controls the unsprung weight (wheels, tires, brakes). Most folks add bigger wheels and tires and/or bigger brakes which doesn't call for LESS compression damping than stock.
On the rear they just changed (SLP used to use normal HD's). They took rebound damping away and added compression which is what's wrong with the stock DeCarbon rears.
On the rear they just changed (SLP used to use normal HD's). They took rebound damping away and added compression which is what's wrong with the stock DeCarbon rears.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 715
From: Brookville, PA
I think so, which is why I started stocking them. If a non-adjustable shock isn't valved "right" or even the way you like, you can't do anything about it. At least with the AGX's you have some control over your car's ride and handling. They are NOT Koni's, but they are the next best thing IMHO given what else is around.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 903
From: Fort Worth, TX
Another good word here for Sam. I was in this same position, didn't want to spend the money for the koni's but when it was all said and done I decided to spend the extra money and get what I really needed, and I am that glad i did without a doubt.
