85_305

I am beginning to think the Bilstein HD's are the way to go.. why are they so special though? Why are the 3rd gen's generally better handlingg than the 4th gens?

MentalCaseOne

Ok Dumb Question.

Bilsteins HD's are the same as Bilsteins Heavy Duty sold at "BuyPerformance.com" or are they a different Valving?

Oh and where are you guys buying your Bilsteins HDs and for what price average?

ZaneO

Bilstein HDs are Bilstein HDs.

They average about $320 for a set.

85_305

A set is 4, correct?

ZaneO

Yes.

ZaneO

Just a heads up...I just now realized that there are several types of Bilsteins for 3rd Gens.

I would call Strano to determine which is best for a specific application.

Sam Strano

Bilstein "HD's" are the Heavy Duty shocks. They are most common, but not the only shock out there. For instance for some cars, like the 3rd gen, there are Bilstein Sport valved shocks (not for the 4th gen). Then there are tweaked shocks like my own Revalves, or the shocks done for SLP. There are Delco-Bilstein's like come on GM trucks (made by Bilstein, valving speced by GM)..... And it goes on.

4th gen shocks run $329 a set of 4 for HD's. HD's are great everyday shocks if you don't want to make the car super crisp, or run heavy lowering springs. At that point you should consider moving up to a shock with firmer damping. Since this started with a 3rd gen, those HD's are more money. About $520 for a set of since the front uses a much heavier and costlier strut vs. the coil-over on the 4th gen.

As to why they are better: Mostly because of research, tuning of the valving, but also because of much better materials. Cheaper shocks have issues that things like Bilstein's or Koni's don't. I've seen the chrome flake off the rod (which will ruin the shock). I've see the bushings just fall apart after a couple of years on inexpensive shocks. Things like that. You truly do get what you pay for. You won't need to ever replace you shocks again with a good set, which is not the case with a cheaper set of shocks. Aside from the longevity, you have the performance. That includes how the car sucks up road irregularities as well as responds and damps the springs.

85_305

What??? You don't have to replace good shocks? What about those Bilsteins.. those either? I will deff give sam a call.. just need to find time

Coolformula

Yea good shocks don't need replacing all the time. I would say a good sets of shocks would last two engines. I got some of Sam's revlaves I like them. Pretty good. But if you dont' have 500+ I think HD's are really good too, and a bit cheaper.

85_305

Hm.. I most deffinently didn't know that shocks should last a long time.. let alone 2 engine's, lol. But what else should I look into? I already have IROC wheels/tires on the way by summer, so will that be enough to get my sayin' "oh shi t" thru the corners? (with the HD's installed that is)

ZaneO

That will be a really good start. If it doesn't suit your fancy, I would look into a bigger sway bar in the front.

Norm Peterson

Strange. Those are the exact words I don't want to have come to mind at such times.

Norm

85_305

What would larger sway bar in the rear do?
Norm- I mean "oh sh it" as in, "wow.. if we didn't have seatbelts, we would be like flying outta the car" type of oh shi t. (ha)

MentalCaseOne

Dude you Crack me UP!!