I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Bilstein PSS system for the 350Z, or have the coilovers on thier car. I found Planet Performance has the coilovers for $1099. Thanks.

 

I dont know anyone who installed them yet - I know we have a few on order for customers. They will be introducing PSS9's at SEMA as well! PSS's have been in the country a couple times before, but I ahve yet to read a review.

 

They've actually produced some to have them in inventory? I'll bet were still a ways off on actually seeing them in hand. Nice to see a monotube product at that price point, assuming it's correct. I see a good market for them, but they can't place themselves to far from the Tein basic's price point or their DOA.

Bilstein is very good about devulging specs, last time I called on the PSS system a few months ago they had no idea when they'd be out. I thought it was interesting that the R&D work being done was NOT the same team that whipped up the JDM shock and spring setup, which is not a performance product.

 

The PSS series have been, PSS9's are en route to the states now. Specs for each are the same, as foud on our website here:

http://z1auto.com/prodmore.asp?model...ng&prodid=1180

The 2 sets we brought in so far (PSS) were by air and they went out of the county to mailorder customers. Once Bilstein has them back in inventory and sets final price, we'll have pricing on our website. Given the monotube design, they will more expensive than Tein, but a hell of a value nevertheless

 

i think pss9 modle is more of the performance one.

 

Thanks for the specs adam, progressive rears eh, well Eibach does makes a 5" diameter ERS spring, so not a problem. And thank you for clearing up the issue about if they were truely out yet. I didn't know they were doing the PSS9 too. Of note to my eye's is that despite of the mild spring rates, Bilstein's web site say's they have performance valving in the dampners.

 

no problem man. Yeah progressive in the back - seems alot of manufacturers do this on the rear end. I assume it has to do with the seperation of spring from the strut (these coilovers maintain that design). But you are right that Eibach makes a bazillion linear rate springs that could be used instead for those who do more frequent track days.

The nice thing about these is the piston size/valving....46mm piston is HUGE. I ahve yet to hear of a bigger one being used on a Z.

 

u probably know this already.jsut want to point it out.
but large piston size doesnt neccessary means better i belive.

huge piston size will also result in less fluid which means over heat faster and not as smooth and responsive.

but its a give or tak situation IMO

 

Only other coilover that I know of that uses progressive rears is the G35 HKS LS+. Jic's are progressive as a option, and of course all KW's for the Z33 are progressive. But the other's are all linear. Sidenote, Kg/mm makes their DNA coilover for the Z33 and it use's progressive springs in the rear oem location and linear springs as well on the rear dampner bodies.

 

i have the hks LS+ coilovers on my coupe...they are definately not progressive springs. they are linear all around. they look linear, and the tech at HKS confirmed it (allthough this my be different depending on who you talk to, what day of the week it is, or if you called them before or after lunch).

Chad

 

I didn't call them to find that bit of info out, besides a tech behind a desk only can relate the data that's given him. Only thing I called HKS for just last week was to get the spring rates for the new RS coilover and ask why they used lower rear rates on the G35 while I was at it ("because it's a luxury car", was his answer). And to find out how the RS and II differed besides rates. Of course he also went into this nice little triad about how spring rates don't matter and that's why they don't normally devulge them,......errr ohhh kay. At least he did tell me the rates.

Here's a pick of one of the rear HKS LS+ rear springs. Notice how the outside diameter of the coils change noticeably from one end to the other, that makes that spring progressive. Initial and final rates do not swing wildly using that type of construction. KW uses that same type of spring on the front springs of their progressively sprung Z33 coilover system. (If the pic doesn't show, click on the link.)

 

that's a good point...i didn't think about the taper.

Chad

 

I gotta say, after installing a set of HKS RS's this week, is their rear spring perch design is AWESOME.....going to try to get these for my car this coming week, as its vastly superior to the stock setup the Cusco uses

GYZ - piston diameter has nothing to do with the amount of fluid. The larger pistons actually increase responsiveness, not decrease it. Of course piston diameter itself means little as a standlone measurement...it's all about the specific valving engineered to the piston. While I have not driven a Z with the Bilstein's yet, on the many cars I have used them on and spent time with, the valving was a terrific blend of comfort and sport feel. Hopefully this application will be similar

G35sedan - IIRC a few of the Japanese suppliers use progressive rears.....I assume this is because they are, to a large extent, rebadged versions of a common desing

 

Adam, here's the full extent of what I've uncovered digging as deep as possible. These are the only known Z33/CVP35/V35 coilovers that I know of with rear progressive springs. If their's a system that I've missed, I'd really want to know. While I want to avoid progressive coils at all costs, some others may find their needs better served by them.

JDM Tein SS coilover (392/314-392)

HKS LS+ CVP35 (Z33 application unknown)

Bilstein PSS/PSS9

Jic Flta-2 Z33 optional all progressive setup (10Kg/10Kg)

KW coilovers all progressive (all variants)


The two below use a linear spring on the rear coilover bodies and a progressive spring in the oem location as well.

Kg/mm DNA coilovers
840/280*+
These look like they are made by buddy club.
*They use rear springs on the rear coil over bodies AND a progressive spring in the oem location. The best I can get translating is that the progressive spring add’s 200lbs to the rear rate.


Agosta Street/Circuit spec coilover (also marketed by Top Secret)



Other then the above, all the other Tein, HKS (could change), Jic, and Cusco coilovers use all linear springs for this platform. I of course can't speak for what these companies do with the same model of coilover on other applications. Unknown is the Zeal V6 coilovers (would be very surprised if they're not all linear) and the Impul coilovers (licensed to use the Ohlins name, but not built by Ohlins, this according to Ohlins USA).

 

Interesting on the kg/mm and Agosta that they use a spring of the damper body and the rear OEM location - I wonder what the function of that is and how it affects feel.

I hear what you mean on the progressive springs from a pure unadulterated handling standpoint. For a street going car, it might be the preferred method (for those who crave comfort overall all out handling).

I am going to likely start playing with various front spring rates on my car soon. Having spent boatloads of time with them, I find the front spring rate simply too stiff for our NY roads.

What is interesting though is that we just installed a set of HKS RS's to a Z this week, and at middle of the road dampener adjustment (15 clicks), his car was far quieter than mine when hitting bumps. Any ideas for me? Some have said the front control arms get a bit noisy over time due to their bushing design - I have never looked at it with any great detail to know however.

 

I have to aggree with Adam about Bilstein. On a pervious vehicle, I purchased a set of Bilstein H.D. shocks and sent them directly to Bilstein to be revalved to specs they recommended, (they only charge $260 to revalve a set). What I ended up with was a perfect blend of performance and comfort. Vastly superior to the Koni's I pulled off because they were not working out with my stiffer springs. Bilsteins choice of valving specs were pefect, just wish I would have upped the spring rates a lot more, live and learn.

 

I received the PSS Bilstein for my 2004 350Z just two weeks ago ; i'll install it with Nismo sway-bars next week .
This will be the first suspension setup with Bilstein PSS in Italy for 350Z.
I'll post my impression.

 

I would very much appreciate your doing a review. If you could hit points like.

1. Turn in performance to oem
2. Weight transfer performance to oem?
3. Dampner performance to oem?
4. At the limit handling to oem?
5. Ride quality to oem
6. Do they do anything you do not like?

I bookmark reviews to help others, your reviewing them will help others out.

 

zeal v6 use linear as well.

 

Yeah I was pretty much willing to bet money on that, thanks for making the effort to tell me.