*update* Bilstein Pss10 Installation Manual

I installed my Bilstein PSS10 Coilover suspension kit last week, and just wanna try my best to share some information here.

The bilstein PSS10 is the new model. The difference between the old PSS9 is a bigger adjustment ****. It features 10 adjustments front and rear, with spring rates of 370 lbs front, and a progressive rear rate of 240-420 lbs rear. Ride height adjustable from -1.0" to -1.75" (front) & -1.0" to -1.75" (rear. minimum 1" lowering). The finish of the coilover is awesome and high end. However, it does not come with upper mounts, you have to use the stock one.

The reason for me to pick this coil over system is that I want a very streetable and occasionally track days system since I live in San Francisco and the road is so shitty over here. I also prefer to use the stock upper mounts since they are able absorb some noise and vibration. The spring rates are a little bit low, however, Bilstein stated that the shocks are performace valved, so I am going to give it a try. (Most suspension system comes with much stiffer spring rates Front 559lbs, rear 540lbs) (Keep reading, I will let u guys know how they feel on track)



The installation is not very smooth, since the instructions come with the box is actually for the PSS9, I have to called Bilstein to email the correct instruction to me. (Bilstein Tech support is very friendly and helpful, they answered my call right away and willing to help me out ++) I had a problem installing the front stock upper mounts, since the instuctions stated I will need to put the upper mounts below the adjustment ***** and on top of the bottom lock nuts. It doesnt make any sense to me. So I called Bilstein again and they told me to put it under the second lock nuts. Everything works fine after that.




On softest setting, the ride is just a little little bit firmer (very similar to stock), and turn-in is much sharper now. I really like how the ride, and my GF doesnt even notice

I bought my Z to Thunderhill Raceway after the installation. I set the suspension to full stiff. The vehicle was much more responsive then stock now, and was very predictable! ( I had another track day with full stock, same tires setup 2 weeks before I installed the PSS10, so I can give it a good comparison) However, since the rear are progressive springs, it really takes some times to get used to it. The body roll was still like stock ( a lot) due to the soft spring rates and it is now understeer a little bit more than before (on accel. during cornering). I turned my front suspension to softer setting, and it didnt correct much understeer either. However, my Z was still using stock sway bars. I will get a set of adjustable sway bars, so I will be able to tune the handling characteristic, and hopefully I will be able to make it more neutral. I will keep u guys updated in the future. But beside these, my Z did corner very well, it was like glue on the ground. And since it was so predictable, I was able to correct the understeer by just lifting the throttle, and it will point back to the right direction right away. The shocks did not overheated for any full 20mins section, and that was quite amazing. ( I used to have Tein on my s14, it happened)



As of now, I am ok satisfied on the Bilstein PSS10. Hopefully my new sway bars will help reducing the body roll. My goal is to setup a very streetable car and it also able to perform well on track. If I can eliminate most of the body roll, i will be very satisfied!!

-Pat

Front adjustment ****:


Rear adjustment ****: (I can access it thu the wheel)

 

thanks for the review... interesting intake tube... looks like a muffler!

 

how's the drop on your rear? i have the PSS9s and i took off the top adjustable plate and on the lowest setting to get more drop but noticed it's still not as low as i wanted it to go and couldn't figure any other way to go lower. i'm not trying to slam it, just get it a bit lower.

Good review btw

 

They look like a big improvment over the PSS9 in terms of the adjustment ***** an there placement.

 

I have these on my 993 they are a phenomenal system!!!!

 

those spring rates sound pretty low. and that looks like a lot of brake dive in the pic you posted.

are you tracking your lap times after every change? gotta have objective measurement along with the subjective feel.

and what are you alignment settings?

 

nice review. Definitely will consider it when I make my choice. But it just doesn't seem like what I'd expect from $1500 coilover let alone the bilstein coilover.

 

i would totally get these but they dont go low enough for me

 

How low did you put your springs? Do you have any non moving pics of your car? How is the ride compared so stock on normal streets?

 

I wasnt tracking my lap times, but I did notice I was a few mph faster on some corner exits, also I was able to reach fifth gear on the straight away before the braking point, instead of the end of forth gear on the stock suspension (result of earlier acceleration entering the straight away)

However, after installing the coilover, I didnt lower it much. Only about 0.5 - 1 inch drop because I still wanted to align it back to factory alignment setting. (no camber arms yet) Therefore, it was the same alignment spec as the last track day.

As I said before, I didnt really lower it yet. I will do that all together with camber arms and corner weight.


Ya, I paid $1650+, it is quite expensive compared to other same price range coilover (no upper mounts included). But I believe this is the most comfortable coilover system with good performance oriented valving system available, so I gave it a shot. (I spent quite a bit of time doing research and reading the forum before I purchased them)

-Pat

 

I lol'd.

Nice review!

 

Congrats, great review. This is definitely the kit I'd be installing on my own personal car if I didn't have what I have now.

 

Wut kind of intake is that?>

 

Top Fuel Power Chamber Intake

 

hmm, something is not right with your pictures. the top one clearly shows a cut rear heat shield and the edge of a brembo caliper, yet the bottom one does not have either of these. judging from this post you say you have them, yet your pictures do not show them. funny i do not see stainless steel brake lines either

https://my350z.com/forum/6885595-post2.html



just a simple question on an observation

 

Stupid post

 

https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ml#post6868229

 

Any reason as to why one of the front shocks has the helper spring on top and other has it on the bottom?

 

LOL, good catch!! I took all the pics while I was installing the PSS10, I took the pics with the cut heat shield afterward (a week after, and with my Brembo done), just want to show u guys how it can be adjusted on the rear.


You guys got good eyes, damn! Ya, that was right out of the box, the helper spring should go to the bottom.

 

Thanks for the review. Do you feel a big difference in the adjustment settings? I rarely get to the track and I'm wondering if the basic PSS (non-adjustable) system wouldn't be good enough for me given I have adjustable sways installed.