Who runs shortened bilsteins with their coilovers?

[mbonanni]

Man, they didn't say anything when I was told them 2" off the rod and 2" off the sand tube.

Did they tell you that over the phone before you sent your shocks, or right before they were going to perform the work?

I think I am going to run these instead of getting the rear shocks cut/rethreaded. Thoughts?

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=851/CA=253

[nando]

You only need to shorten the rod 1" if you are taking 2" off the stand tube, at least that is how they explained it to me.

[mbonanni]

Alright guys so here is what I am thinking.

Front struts - Rebuilt/Revalved to 550. Then shorten the rod 2" and sand tube 2"
Rear Shocks - Rebuilt/Revalved to 700. Then shorten, or w.e bilstien said they would do.
Strut Tubes - shorten 2"

Does this sound right guys?

[mbonanni]

I just had this exact service done on a set of ix hds, and it was $357 including shipping.

I know, I talked to two different reps at bilstein, and both times they told me about $400. Does not make sense to me. I think I am getting the tears shortened how Nigel said thoufh, so hence extra money.

The only real difference is the valving, so once you've had them custom built it doesnt make any difference if it started as a sport or an hd.

I was concerned with the shocks being as low as they can once I lower my car.

[nando]

Okay, cool.

Does anyone know if revalved HD's could handle being low?

I was never sure if the rear mattered.

Thanks

The only real difference is the valving, so once you've had them custom built it doesnt make any difference if it started as a sport or an hd.

[nando]

I have sourced a set of blown bilstein HD's, and I called bilstein today. the quote they gave me for rebuilding/revalve and shortening will put me about the same price as if I bought brand new ix billies that are not valved to the rates I want.

$75 for each front -$150
$65 for each rear - $130
$65/hr for machine time (about 2 hours) - $130

That comes to $410. Inluding shipping

The blown ones I found will put me under $500 for a full set of bilsteins that are revlaved, rebuilt, and shortened for better travel; which is about the same as new ones.

Mine will be better fit for the high spring rates I want.

I just had this exact service done on a set of ix hds, and it was $357 including shipping.

[Vivek]

You have to do the math. You'll need an adjuster that can go up enough to compensate for the amount that you're cutting off. So if you have 1.5" left on your adjuster to go up in the front, that's how much you can section without dropping the car down. With a 3" shorter insert you'll need a spacer that's 3" minus whatever you section off.

[ghalee30]

my question is how much do you section off to pair up with the hd's to maximize travel ?


if that makes any sense

[einstein57]

You can have the shock shafts cut a few inches and re-thread them. Camaros and Mustangs have shorter body shocks that can be easily adapted to the e30. Another option is to retrofit bilstein sprint shocks




This is almost bottoming out Bilstein sports on an early model with 205/50/15s

[mbonanni]

why not get ix shocks, they are 4"shorter over stock "is" shocks.
im ordering coilovers and already got my ix shocks to replace the kyb's i used to test...

next best thing is 'rado shocks, those are 6" shorter, but require some modifications to get to work.

the meat of what im saying, ix shocks, shorter and PnP

Not sure if you read my posts. In case you did not, I encourage you to do so before you post. I appreciate your time though.

H&R race in the rear goes pretty darn low and it's one of the most common setups used by street/track/spece30.

GC tall RSM's are a good choice if you plan to go really low.

My rear is pretty low and I still have travel. I'm not sure how much though.
Late model > Early model in terms of rear suspension travel since it can hide the illusion of being low.

Okay, this makes much more sense. The rsm's literally just raise up the mounting point so that the shock is extended more. Sweet. Thank you.

I do have early model rear arches, which I prefer the look of.

They are one reason why I really wanted to do meatier tires, because I had the upper hand when it came to arches.

[rasputin]

iXers are 3" shorter

idk about that, i'll measure tomorrow...i talked to mike, white325is(e30 suspension guru) when i lowered my car to find it sitting on bumpstops, just gonna stick with that.

edit: needless to say, even 3" is a good amount

[ak-]

why not get ix shocks, they are 4"shorter over stock "is" shocks.
im ordering coilovers and already got my ix shocks to replace the kyb's i used to test...

next best thing is 'rado shocks, those are 6" shorter, but require some modifications to get to work.

the meat of what im saying, ix shocks, shorter and PnP

iXers are 3" shorter

[ak-]

I understand that, but I am talking about the rear shock.

By lowering the car it means they will always be more compressed vs being at stock height. Will this affect anything?

If I am not making sense, then I will stop trying because I cannot find anything in a search.

I am pretty sure I am worrying about nothing.

H&R race in the rear goes pretty darn low and it's one of the most common setups used by street/track/spece30.

GC tall RSM's are a good choice if you plan to go really low.

My rear is pretty low and I still have travel. I'm not sure how much though.
Late model > Early model in terms of rear suspension travel since it can hide the illusion of being low.

[rasputin]

why not get ix shocks, they are 4"shorter over stock "is" shocks.
im ordering coilovers and already got my ix shocks to replace the kyb's i used to test...

next best thing is 'rado shocks, those are 6" shorter, but require some modifications to get to work.

the meat of what im saying, ix shocks, shorter and PnP

[mbonanni]

I understand that, but I am talking about the rear shock.

By lowering the car it means they will always be more compressed vs being at stock height. Will this affect anything?

If I am not making sense, then I will stop trying because I cannot find anything in a search.

I am pretty sure I am worrying about nothing.