Billy HD or Sports for rough roads

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  • mrgraphics
    Wrencher
    • Dec 2011
    • 221

    #1

    Billy HD or Sports for rough roads

    I've searched, read, and pondered for days . . . I need a little help with a decision from those with real-world experience.

    I'm installing lowering springs since I need to replace the 27 year old shocks. The front springs are from Pick-n-pull. The donor car had an H&R window sticker and they are a deep blue. There is no writing on them (worn off), so unknown drop and spring rate, although I suspect about a 1.5 inch drop. Maybe they're sports? They are not progressive: same measured distance from coil to coil. Donor car had the springs rattling around in the housing by about half an inch. One shock was blown - looked like OEM shocks.

    My handling parameters: I drive in San Francisco, so I want the front to be as stiff as comfortably possible to avoid the chance of hitting my oil pan. But when going over rough roads I do want some level of comfort (no "bang" "bang" with every bump)

    With that level of drop, would Billy HDs fit the bill better than the sports?
  • mthaynes
    Member
    • Aug 2009
    • 79

    #2
    Sports and HD are the same dampening, just that the sports are physically shorter. Either would provide the same ride, just that Sports should last longer on lowering springs since they are not living their life nearly fully compressed.

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    • mrgraphics
      Wrencher
      • Dec 2011
      • 221

      #3
      I thought HDs were a bit firmer - I've read on other sites that sports are a little softer. Is there anything that can handle the drop and is a bit firmer? Or are the reports that they are a soft wrong?

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      • JGood
        R3V OG
        • Jan 2004
        • 7959

        #4
        Originally posted by mrgraphics
        I thought HDs were a bit firmer - I've read on other sites that sports are a little softer. Is there anything that can handle the drop and is a bit firmer? Or are the reports that they are a soft wrong?
        Same valving (close enough, anyway).

        Sports just allow for less droop. Looks like they might have about 15mm shorter fully compressed length too, but I haven't been able to verify that.


        BMW 325I HD FRONT
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        REB/COM: 2320/800

        BMW 325I SPORT FRONT
        COLL/EXT: 515.0/597.5
        REB/COM: 2330/755
        85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
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