Before I drop $630 on bilstien shocks/Struts, is there another option out there that may be a bit better?

As per my needs:

I do not want to lower-I am not willing to spend the money to make everything adjustable to deal with the alignment being way off

I don't want super stiff springs--this car will spend 95% of its time on crap Chicago/midwest roads so I think the stock HR springs are just right

Other than the Bilstien B6 is there another option? Koni adjustables seem like they may may work but they are twin tube and nearly double the price. I also think they should probably be paired with a stiffer spring which I already said I don't want. The tokico blue I keep reading about isn't available anymore

Thoughts? Opinions? Sick burns on my ideas so far?

 

Stick with the Bilsteins. There's a reason they've been building dampers for so long.

 

Bilstein B6 or B8 for lowered cars.

I have heard that dealers are excited about the new Tein EnduraPro shocks as a unit that fits in the same space as the Tokico Blues did. That is, "high performance OE replacements" at a good price point. $500 or so a set I believe. But the price you got for Bilsteins, sheesh, less than two bills more. I'd still go there.

 

Yeah, for $630 a set I feel it's unbeatable but I figured I would ask before I drop the cash. Also, is there a preferred top front strut mount? Definitely going to replace those while I'm in there

 

I'd try to get a gently used set off a Nismo Z, don't know if you've considered that too. Honestly if you are going to get bilstein I would say get the springs too. Something rubs me the wrong way about aftermarket shocks on stock springs but up to you. A mild drop is almost invisible and shouldn't hurt your day to day here in Chicago.

 

Bilstien does no recommend using any other spring other than stock with their B6 dampers.

Couple of other questions:

Have any of you actually put springs onto the bilstien dampers or into Konis? Anybody know what that thread is on the strut so I can get a new nylock nut? Or what tension is mean to be placed on that nut?

 

The piston nut or shock mount nut, most should come with piston nuts on them, unless buying used.

 

I've had eibach springs on koni adjustables before but not on a Z. If you wanted to spend more I'd recommend the S-tune kit, I love mine, comes ready to mount and only lowers the car .6" which isn't bad. Better handling and ride than stock IMO

 

Darkz03 I had koni adjustable on stiffer springs on my BMW. I loved how they were adjustable but what I did not like about then was if you hit a decently long continuous patch of rough road you might as well slow way down or stop the car as they are highly charged twin tube so the fluid airates like all hell and their performance drops way way way down. I could tell if I hit some bad bumps on one side that the shock/Struts on that side would be softer. Over smooth pavement they were incredible. Over rougher road I lost confidence in them.

 

I've run Eibach Prokit springs on Koni 8241s for almost 15 years on my '03 track model. The ride is acceptable 95% of the time, but you're correct in saying that rough roads upset the suspension. That's because the 8241 are single adjustable, with no way to dial in a softer bounce setting. The sensitivity is what I enjoy, and I'll slow down on a stretch of rough road. But I'd also do that if I used OEM springs with a higher ride height and softer spring rate.

 

I am 1/2 way through an install as we speak. I just bought the top front strut mount somewhat randomly from RockAuto which I am assuming is where you are buying the shock. Can't go wrong with some fresh rubber on top. The Bilsteins do come with the top nut for the shock and the three mounting nuts needed. Also, if you really want to torque it down to spec, you are going to need this nifty tool. Hey, by the way, the Bilsteins have a hex socket at the top of the shaft that you put a hex key in while tighting the nut. Nothing like the shocks that will come out of your car.

DO NOT buy this size, as I still need to go double check that today before I place the order. This allows you to put a hex key in, yet still connect the torque wrench on top to tighten the bolt. I have not done it yet myself, but am ordering the socket today to get it right on the torque for the shock. Might be overkill to others, just want to make sure I have it all torqued correctly.

UPDATE: The front shocks are a 19mm nut and the rear were 17mm nut. Not that great that they have two sizes. I was talking to a friend of mine about the Bilsteins and he had installed them on a truck he has. He went on for 5 minutes about how much better the ride is and how he had wished he had done it sooner. Night and Day. I also noticed that the Diameter of the shock for the Bilsteins are much larger than stock. I know this will sound funny, but I have the left side on Bilstien and the right OEM right now and just backing out of the driveway to turn the car around to do the other side I could already feel a noticeable difference coming off the drop off at the end of the driveway! Should, with any luck, get done installing these this weekend and will report back on impressions.

 

Jim Stephens DEFINITELY report back on your impressions. I'm extremely interested to hear how you think the car feels after the upgrade. Thanks for the info on the top nuts. Are you staying with stock springs then?

 

+1 on the b6’s with stock springs. It’s exactly what you want if you don’t want to go lower and don’t want to screw around with adjustability. Enjoy

 

Yes on the springs.

 

I'm on Eibach pros and B8s. DIY at home was very straight forward with a rented spring compressor. The ride is worth the money but if you want super-stiff you might look elsewhere. Damping is near perfect. For my street use I'm quite happy.

 

If you keep your stock springs, you will love Bilstein B6 shocks. Bilstein B6 is by far the best shock to mount on a stock OEM 350z.

 

See my last post on the Bilsteins on my build thread. Just finished putting them in today! Superbowl time! Once I get a little more drive time on them I will add some more on it.
https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...ct-car-13.html

 

Will definitely read that. I sent you a text Jim. Call me whenever. I can talk at work.

 

I did not get a text from you. The number I sent is correct. Just send me another text this morning and I will call you or just PM me your number and I will call you.

 

Just to wrap up this thread for the moment. Good talking with you and let me know how the install goes!!