bilstein heavy duty shock

**doug** · 08-20-2002, 06:41 AM

I'm wondering if the Bilstein shock here,
http://www.hardracing.com/CARPARTS/S...n/Bilstein.htm
would be OK to use on the front with a 2" - 2 1/4" drop.
Also would this be similar in quality/performance to the Koni yellows, or would there be an edge to using the Koni instead of these Bilsteins. I'm looking for ways to trim costs and going with the Bilsteins would be around 35 bucks less over the Koni, except I don't want to do it if the Koni presents a better value. Thanks.

**doug** · 08-20-2002, 07:01 AM

err. I mean Koni reds.

**Jims 86LXI HB** · 08-20-2002, 08:21 AM

The answer to your question is no. I tried to do exactly what your saying. I purchased a pair of Bilstein H.D.'s for the front. They do not have the firmness for duty with lowering springs. And keep in mind that the I came to the conclusion that the H&R's, I was running are about as stiff as the neuspeed springs, which are the softest lowering spring made for our cars. And theirs no way the Tokico's are stiffer either. The Bilsteins's would bounce over large bumps or undulations in the road and if you encountered really ruff pavement they would become unsettled. I pulled them off the car after a short period of time because I could not stand them. I hated haveing to avoid certain roads cause I didn't want to bounce all over the place. I replaced them with the Koni reds. The koni's were a big improvement in performance and ride quality, because they didn't have any of the bad traits of the Bilsteins, without being the least bit harsh. Eventually I wanted something stiffer so I sent the Bilsteins off to Bilstein to be revalved. I then tossed them on the car to test. I got them revalved to be able to handle up to a 400lbs spring rate (amount twice as stiff as stock) since I was planning on possible getting stiffer than usual coilovers. Revalved, the Bilsteins were transformed as well. They were a much better strut than the Koni's were. Not just because they were stiffer like I wanted. But because they felt like a much better product with a superior ability to do all the things are better engineered product would do. I would exspect the custom vevaled Koni Yellow's that OpMotorsports sells ($1400) to perform simular with the main differance being that they are double adjustable as opposed to the Bilsteins H.D. being a non adjustable strut.

The Koni's are the way to go, with the revalved Bilsteins being the next step in overall performance. They cost $60-65 per strut to revalve. (They cost $55 per strut to revalve if you all ready have them.)