Bilstein Shocks + Swift Spec-R Springs Review
#121
New Member
iTrader: (1)
I said that Bilstein runs all their inverted strut applications one way. If they did change the design for the Z application to an inverted damper, that's how they would do it (and it would therefore be easy to tell on new dampers). You said that I shouldn't assume. I pointed out that my "assumption" was based on their existing design strategy (I do have experience with inverted Bilsteins in other applications- maybe I should have pointed that out earlier).
At no point did I ever state that they had always been inverted on the Z.
And no, I didn't miss the part about you running Bilsteins (I even quoted it, if you'll refer back to my post), I merely found it irrelevant beyond determining whether the originals were inverted. You confirmed they are not, and I moved on with the discussion. I then mentioned that I had ordered a set, and they are currently being produced in Germany, so if the design has changed, these will be the new design. I'm not expecting them to be inverted dampers, however, for reasons outlined in my post.
I hope that clears things up.
#124
New Member
Bringing a good thread TTT
I hope it’s OK that I brought this thread back. I thought it would be useful for people considering the amount of drop they want. This thread is similar to the one I started…
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...coil-over.html
… with the main difference being the springs (Tein S-Tech drop the car about half an inch while the Swift springs take the car down a full inch). Bilstein Heavy Duty Dampers are very comparable to the Bilstein B8 shocks I installed.
The important point you see in this thread and the one I started is the significant cost savings when installing springs and shocks vs. coilovers. If you don’t track your car, you don’t need the extra expense of the coilovers or additional suspension components to adjust camber and toe. Coilovers also require some amount of expertise to attain the proper adjustment.
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...coil-over.html
… with the main difference being the springs (Tein S-Tech drop the car about half an inch while the Swift springs take the car down a full inch). Bilstein Heavy Duty Dampers are very comparable to the Bilstein B8 shocks I installed.
The important point you see in this thread and the one I started is the significant cost savings when installing springs and shocks vs. coilovers. If you don’t track your car, you don’t need the extra expense of the coilovers or additional suspension components to adjust camber and toe. Coilovers also require some amount of expertise to attain the proper adjustment.
Last edited by Spike100; 04-12-2015 at 02:17 PM.
#125
I hope it’s OK that I brought this thread back. I thought it would be useful for people considering the amount of drop they want. This thread is similar to the one I started…
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...coil-over.html
… with the main difference being the springs (Tein S-Tech drop the car about half an inch while the Swift springs take the car down a full inch). Bilstein Heavy Duty Dampers are very comparable to the Bilstein B8 shocks I installed.
The important point you see in this thread and the one I started is the significant cost savings when installing springs and shocks vs. coilovers. If you don’t track your car, you don’t need the extra expense of the coilovers or additional suspension components to adjust camber and toe. Coilovers also require some amount of expertise to attain the proper adjustment.
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...coil-over.html
… with the main difference being the springs (Tein S-Tech drop the car about half an inch while the Swift springs take the car down a full inch). Bilstein Heavy Duty Dampers are very comparable to the Bilstein B8 shocks I installed.
The important point you see in this thread and the one I started is the significant cost savings when installing springs and shocks vs. coilovers. If you don’t track your car, you don’t need the extra expense of the coilovers or additional suspension components to adjust camber and toe. Coilovers also require some amount of expertise to attain the proper adjustment.
Take some pics and post them! Make sure you state that you have Tein springs not swift so nobody gets confused .
#127
Registered User
Hey OP, how does this setup handle over potholes? our roads aren't great here, and the stock suspension doesn't dampen them enough, would like a more sporty but comfortable feel. I was thinking of going with the KW V3's, but those aren't in my budget anymore....
#128
New Member
iTrader: (15)
Well, Bilstein hasn't changed their design, it seems. The shocks I got are standard, not inverted. Came off the boat from Germany on the 15th.
Attachment 372469
Attachment 372469
#129
New Member
iTrader: (1)
Now I just have to find time to install them. It'll be a pretty big project, as the rear camber and toe adjustments are rusted solid. I've been soaking them with blaster,and I have a few strategies to try so maybe it'll go easily.
Interesting that the B12 pro-kit came with B8 shocks, seems like they used to come with B6. Mine are definitely B8 part numbers.
Interesting that the B12 pro-kit came with B8 shocks, seems like they used to come with B6. Mine are definitely B8 part numbers.
#130
Buy replacement bolts anyway, and an impact wrench - sorted
#131
New Member
iTrader: (1)
Already have the bolts. I hope it's as easy as using an impact. We bought this car new in 04 and daily drove it in Minneapolis until 2012. I've found a few strategies that the honda kids use to get their LCA bolts out without breaking them, so that's probably my best bet at the moment. I'm thinking it's going to take an air hammer and a lot of patience. And possibly a sawzall.
Anyway, I think we should call this setup the Swiftstein.
I'm hoping to ditch the eibach springs that came with the B12 kit in favor of swifts, but my mod budget for this car is mostly used up at this point, though I'm hoping to maybe still score a used set. Car modding is kind of an engineering challenge for me, so I set a budget and try to do as much as possible inside of it.
Anyway, I think we should call this setup the Swiftstein.
I'm hoping to ditch the eibach springs that came with the B12 kit in favor of swifts, but my mod budget for this car is mostly used up at this point, though I'm hoping to maybe still score a used set. Car modding is kind of an engineering challenge for me, so I set a budget and try to do as much as possible inside of it.
#133
New Member
iTrader: (1)
Finished it up last night. Took about 6 hours to get the rear apart, but didn't break any bolts. I'm getting it aligned at 3 today, but the car already feels great. It's already quite a bit more responsive than on stock springs, but the ride is better than stock. There are a few irregularities in the pavement in my neighborhood and it just soaks them up now instead of jostling the car around. I was expecting a great setup with this and I wasn't disappointed.
I have Eibach bars, both set full soft for now. I may stiffen them up to see how it feels. Turn-in is already lightning quick. Luckily, changing bar settings doesn't require jacks or taking the wheels off so it'll be easy to dial the car in.
I have Eibach bars, both set full soft for now. I may stiffen them up to see how it feels. Turn-in is already lightning quick. Luckily, changing bar settings doesn't require jacks or taking the wheels off so it'll be easy to dial the car in.
#135
New Member
iTrader: (1)
Nope. Alignment shop got it into spec. I was gonna replace the shock to control arm bushings, but the tool couldn't push it all the way through. I'll do it when the compression arm and translink bushings crap the bed.
I may go stiffer on the front bar. It seems to want to oversteer right now, but I haven't pushed it as hard as I like yet.
I may go stiffer on the front bar. It seems to want to oversteer right now, but I haven't pushed it as hard as I like yet.
#140
New Member
iTrader: (1)
Amen brother. I'm dropped 3/4" (hotchkis) and it looks very similar to the op's drop. Probably because of the bilsteins tendency to rob you of .5" of your advertised drop. My rear def needed a camber/toe kit though. It depends on the car. The front is slightly out of spec but not by much, a lil camber never hurt anybody Most days i think the drop is perfect but there are some I wish I was a tad lower. Had an eibach pro kit sitting in my garage collecting dust for a while now, I can't seem to bring myself to installing it....
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Spike100 (11-06-2015)