I jacked up my 97 base Lude last night to change the oil. Lowered it back down and took it for a spin. Now the darn thing bounces like Linocln Towncar in the front. If I hit a small bump the front end launches and bottoms out. It's insane how hard it is to drive with just one front shock blown. So it's time to upgrade...

I'm set on bilsteins. I don't feel like adjusting shocks and have had great response with them on an old Civic and a 4Runner. However, it seems they have a few models available:

Heavy Duty
Sport
Touring

So, what's the real difference and which should I get?

 

Sport? sorry.



Modified by R.a.w. at 11:48 AM 6/14/2006

 

ok... so the first reply was not helpful at all in refernce to my question. I'm sure it wont be the last one to say Koni yellow or adjustables, but it still doesn't answer my question as to which bilsteins I should get.

 

What type of driving do you do? Sport is obviously valved to be a little stiffer and give better handling. Touring is a stock replacement with good ride and long life

 

I mostly drive to work and back, all highway at about 70 mph. I use this car for fun driving other then that. We will be going to any SCCA practice events they make available, and maybe a race or two every year or so.

I'm thinking I wouldn't be upset by having it more stiff, but if the price is much cheaper for the touring, I'm sure it would still be a great shock. I was rather sure the HD's are out of the question as I only plan on making this car lighter.

Thanks! Anyone else have opinions?

 

I have Bilsteins Sports with H&R race. It sucks IMHO. I am soon ordering Koni's with GC springs. I haven't heard many complaints with the Koni/GC setup.

 

If you are going will do events with SCCA you should really think about Koni Adjustables. You can make them stiffer for the track then back to a more comfortable setting when you leave. Its just a turn of the ****.

 

hmmmmm... so do most people like kyb's over bilsteins?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RetarTed &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hmmmmm... so do most people like kyb's over bilsteins?</TD></TR></TABLE>

jesus no. the build quality of the KYBs isn't even close. Koni is comparable with Bilstein.

The Bilstein Sport shocks are the way to go with lowering springs - they handle higher spring rates and the fronts have shortened shock bodies to gain back some suspension travel (not just shortened shock shafts). The Bilstein HD are the way to go if you plan on only running stock springs.

I actually have a set of Bilstein sports for sale right now on Ebay (cleaning out the garage this summer) so email or PM me for the link.

Compared to Konis, they ride stiffer but respond faster to steering input and feel better during cornerning. Its a trade off.

If you plan on tracking the car, Koni NA has more experience working with Hondas so they'd be the way to go - they can set you up with custom valving and recommend spring rates for you (costs extra $$ for the valving though).

 

Thanks!!! This is the info I was looking for. I don't think I want to lower it any as I already get scrapes on the oil pan as it is. Scary! I actually like the current height with the stock shocks, but the bilsteins might lift it a bit huh?

Other then that, there is no trade off. Stiff ride is fine if it is more responsive. I just don't want to lose any more ground clearance. I hate having to stop and creap over things as it is.