Explain "perches" on Bilsteins

[NSXBill2]

Can someone explain the choices I may or may not have with the "perches" on Bilstein shocks. I would like to get some and don't understand. If I just buy them, do they have "standard" perches that won't lower my car? Do I need to specify something about perches? Do the standard Bilsteins lower the car?

thanks

Bill

 

[Hugh]

http://daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/suspension/suspension_bilstein_shocks.cfm?focus=352

The Bilsteins come with two perch options. Stock ride height and a 7/8" of an inch drop option.

Here is another great option, Dali sells a kit effectively turning your Bilsteins into fully adjustable coilovers.

http://daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/suspension/Bilstein_Coilover.cfm

 

[Ojas]

If I just buy them, do they have "standard" perches that won't lower my car?

Yes.

Do I need to specify something about perches?

No, all Bilsteins have two height settings.

Do the standard Bilsteins lower the car?

They can depending on which setting you use during installation...

The perches shown in the picture above rest on a ring that is installed in one of two grooves on the shock shown in the picture below. If you place the ring in the upper groove, you will have stock ride-height. If you place the ring in the lower groove, you will be about 0.8" lower.

Additional info:
FAQ: Suspension (Please note, do not install your perch as shown in this picture. It is upside-down.)
Correct orientation of perch
bilstein shock Height adjustment?

 

[Malibu Rapper]

You can also have them carve in some extra perches for $10 hence some people are running around with Bilsteins that have 3 different perch settings.

 

[NSXBill2]

The pic of all 4 doesn't seem to show an open groove, but instead a line painted above and below the perch ring.

The close-up shows the groove, but the ring looks fixed. How do you move the ring?

The info in the DIY refers to CGI as being the one offering the adjustable-height Bilsteins. Has this changed and ALL NSX Bilsteins now have the adjustable feature?

 

[Ojas]

The pic of all 4 doesn't seem to show an open groove, but instead a line painted above and below the perch ring.

Good eye. There is actually an extra groove in this setup and the ring is installed in the middle one. This was actually mentioned in the thread I linked to ("bilstein shock Height adjustment?") and can be seen in detail in picture I linked to ("this picture") in my post, above. Standard Bilsteins have 2 grooves.

The close-up shows the groove, but the ring looks fixed. How do you move the ring?

It's a snap ring, just pop it out of the groove and slide it to the other one.

 

[ANYTIME]

How are the bilsteins ride quality compared to stock? Does the position alter the ride quality? (Stock ride height, versus lower perch) Just what I need, more wallet draining thoughts being put into my head :redface:

 

[CokerRat]

I currently run Bilsteins on the lower perch with stock springs and previously drove on worn-out OEM shocks. IIUC, putting the Bilsteins on the lower perch leaves the springs at the same position so the dynamics don't dramatically change (ie. same rebound rates). I find the ride comparable to stock. Bumps and joints in the pavement are less jarring now and pavement cracks/irregularities no longer upset the car during hard cornering. ...Though these may well have been due to the previous OEM shocks being worn out.