Bilstein -vs- stock shocks

[sjs]

Bilstein's on the lower setting with stock springs lowered my car 1 1/4" FYI

That is surprising since I think the alternate perch is only 3/4" below the "normal" one, which should translate almost directly to the height difference given no change in springs. ("almost" because with the shock other than vertical the difference would be less.)

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Iwas thinking the same thing as sjs, 3/4" . Could you let us know how you measured it?

Thanks,
LarryB

 

[coolnsx]

I measured from the concrete to the four jack points. If I remember the rear was slightly more and the front less but the average was 1 1/4".

 

[nsxexotic]

can anybody else sitting on blisteins and stock springs confirm these measurements??? coolnsx do you have a picture of your car?

thanks.

 

[sjs]

can anybody else sitting on blisteins and stock springs confirm these measurements???
thanks.

It would be simpler, and more reliable, to call your Bilstein vendor and have them measure the distance between the two perch ring points. It can't lower the car any more than that.

 

[spyderman33]

Dave,

My car has Bilsteins with stock springs on the lower perch. I like the setup.

Jim

Any pics of this set-up?

 

[spyderman33]

I have little patience for places that don't post prices.

From what I've seen Dali typically has the best price on Bilsteins.

Neuspeed has pretty good deals as well.. I think they do free shipping..

 

[nsxtasy]

It would be simpler, and more reliable, to call your Bilstein vendor and have them measure the distance between the two perch ring points. It can't lower the car any more than that.

The Dali Racing website says it lowers by 7/8".

 

[sjs]

The Dali Racing website says it lowers by 7/8".

Well then there you have it!

 

[SCS2k]

It is 7/8". Gil, I think your car has lowering springs as well. It sits much lower than mine.

 

[SCS2k]

Any pics of this set-up?

You can see it here:

http://www.nsxprime.com/Events/2003/nsxpo2003/20031010/IMG_2481.jpg

 

[The DON]

Thanks matteni, I currently have Eibachs with stock 2000 shocks. I like the ride height, but the car feels a little over-sprung and under-damped if you know what I mean. I'm thinking the Bilsteins (to get back on topic) with the Eibachs might be the right answer. My track time is limited in the NSX now that I have a shifter kart, so the NSX mainly just sees street duty. Any others have experience with this set-up?

I'm kind of in the same situation as ChopJazz. I have new Eibach springs with new oem shocks. I also want to know if Bilsteins with Eibachs perform better at the limits than Eibachs with oem shocks. Or maybe even Eibachs with Konis?

The Don

 

[NSX-Racer]

Don: IMO the combo Eibach/Bilstein does perform better on the track than Eibach/OEM shocks. It makes the car stiffer at the limits. With Konis you can add another bit more stiffness but you should have a clue of adjusting them. For non suspension gurus like me the Bilsteins are better because you can't adjust them wrong...

 

[nsxexotic]

Here is a before and after pictures of bilstein install... you can see how much the car lowered.

7/8" is not much... I'm looking for at least 1.25" lowering. Maybe I'll get some eibach and bilsteins in the spring.

New Bilsteins..(B4 and after pics) by 91 X

 

[sjs]

Here is a before and after pictures of bilstein install... you can see how much the car lowered.

7/8" is not much... I'm looking for at least 1.25" lowering. Maybe I'll get some eibach and bilsteins in the spring.

New Bilsteins..(B4 and after pics) by 91 X

Consider a fully adjustable setup such as Tien or any of several others. If you do Bilsteins plus Eibachs on the lower perch it will probably be too much. At -1.5 it will exhibit significant bump-steer and positively devour tires since you won't be able to get less than about -3 degrees in the rear. (which is what I have using H&R springs)

 

[The DON]

I agree with NSX-Racer. If you're not a suspension guru and don't have access to one, don't waste money on those adjustable aftermarket suspension. The time you spend tinkering with different stiffness settings, you might as well use the time to learn how to drive the nsx to its fullest.

Anybody have the specs for the bilsteins? We all know there are 2 perches for height adjustment, but who has the specs for dampering rates? Bueller? Bueller??

 

[ChopsJazz]

I think my next move will be to the Bilsteins on the top perch with the Eibachs. That sounds like the ride height should stay about where it is now.

 

[sjs]

I agree with NSX-Racer. If you're not a suspension guru and don't have access to one, don't waste money on those adjustable aftermarket suspension. The time you spend tinkering with different stiffness settings, you might as well use the time to learn how to drive the nsx to its fullest.

The Tiens, and most of the other adjustable-height kits for the street, use shock valving matched to the spring with regards to compression, and are adjustable only for rebound which is no big thing to get right. So for shock adjustments there isn't much to screw up and the important compression rate is specifically matched to the springs. Not so when doing the mix & match with Bilsteins, Eibach, etc. Yes, they will all be reasonable and work fine, but my point is that you should not be scared off by the limited adjustment offered by some shocks. No Guru required. The weight saved and ability to change ride height makes it worth considering, and of course you can even do a bit of corner balancing if you like.

 

[S|b]

are there any weight savings using the bilstein suspension? (compared with OEM)

/Stef

 

[DanO]

are there any weight savings using the bilstein suspension? (compared with OEM)

/Stef

nope.

 

[PKim]

tein

I was also facing the same delima, I have eibach and 13y/o oem shocks. I have decided to go with the tein RA coilover. I have just completed taking out the oem shock and eibach today and tomarrow I have to pick up the teins. The removal of suspension went real smooth, I did it myself took me approx 5 hours. It was easier than I thought. I'll let you know how the tein install feel as well as how the teins feel on the road. I have a used eibach for sale if anyone is interested. When I took them out they looked new.

 

[NSXBOX]

I just put eibachs on my stock shocks and couldn't be happier looks and ride wise very happy. Only prob I've had is the rear left only dropped by .4" as compared to others which were as advertised 1.2"/1" ????!?!? I'll definitely be going bilsteins when its my turn to replace the shocks.

 

[sjs]

I just put eibachs on my stock shocks and couldn't be happier looks and ride wise very happy. Only prob I've had is the rear left only dropped by .4" as compared to others which were as advertised 1.2"/1" ????!?!?

That can only happen if one corner was installed wrong, or one spring is wrong (taller and/or stiffer). Since you didn't change shocks it shouldn't be an upside down perch , so make sure the spring is properly seated at both ends and that the bushings are installed the same as on the other corners.

Are you measuring actual ground clearance such as pavement to jack-points on the frame, or just looking at the gap between fender and tire?

 

[PKim]

I just put eibachs on my stock shocks and couldn't be happier looks and ride wise very happy. Only prob I've had is the rear left only dropped by .4" as compared to others which were as advertised 1.2"/1" ????!?!? I'll definitely be going bilsteins when its my turn to replace the shocks.

There is something wrong with your left rear. all 4 corners should drop 1.25 inches. At least mine did. Check the install again as SJS stated.

Paul

 

[Tantheman]

So Bilstein is the best in comfort?

I have the H&R as well, and do not track the car.

Eventually I want to replace my shocks as well.

Adjustable like Koni's or Tokico are not applicably comfortable as the Bilstein?

Reading the reviews.

Tan