Question about revalved shocks...

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:32 pm

While on the topic of who's doing what at the 11th hour before the season starts, I've got a question. I've just knocked out the front Bilstein install and getting ready to do the rears. These are revalved to about "~2/3rds of that of a revalved Koni Race shock" and man they are rigid and slightly jarring over the bumps such as manhole covers and other bumps/ruts. I can get used to it, but is that pretty normal? I remember my Koni SA's giving a similar ride at full stiff but I realized those are in a different league.

signed,
suspension noob

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:47 pm

High pressure monotubes will shatter your teeth on public roads

.

I'd learn your commute and avoid all manhole covers and potholes.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:49 pm

JamesShort wrote:

Hi pressure monotubes will shatter your teeth on public roads

.

If you are talking about Bilstein HD's I agree 100%, which is what I don't have any.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:05 pm

Sounds exactly like my custom valved Bilsteins on my Focus. Handles the bigger bumps pretty well but small bumps are VERY noticeable.
You get used to it. :lol:

At least you don't have 40 series tires :shock:

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:18 pm

Awesomeness. Glad you guys could confirm what I was hoping to hear.

I'm the 3rd owner of these and they were originally Matt Palombi's who knows how long ago and picked them up from another ITRphile on the sandbox but for $350. I figured I'd take a chance. Almost anything has to perform better than 12 year old 95k mile Honda shocks. :roll:

Now my wife will NEVER agree to drive the R to work, even if it means me detailing her car for her. :twisted:

JamesShort · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:23 pm

Matt, do you have the spring perches on right? If they are like Koni perches, I think it should be flipped. Does the car looks 4x4-style now?

Ok, maybe they are reversible and not just stamped steel:

But then again, here is an NSX with Bilsteins that are like Koni perches where you shouldn't install them wrong because A) the spring can slip off and bind and B) your ride height will be fubar:

http://daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/su ... /index.cfm

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:42 pm

Matt McGrain wrote:

I'm the 3rd owner of these and they were originally Matt Palombi's who knows how long ago and picked them up from another ITRphile on the sandbox but for $350.

That was a good deal! I wanted those shocks for quite some time for my last CRX but the Koni's went on such a huge sale, I went that route.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:45 pm

JamesShort wrote:

http://daliracing.com/v666-5/catalog/suspension/bilstein_install_properly/index.cfm

That NSX guy is no English major I guess? "Wrong" and "Wright" :lol:

Chris Halweg · **Posted:** Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:44 pm

Put some 60 series 14" tires on and you won't notice it at all for DD.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:28 am

James, the perches look identical to the pic you posted and they aren't flipped the wrong way so that's not the culprit. Also, the amount of force required to get the top nut back on with the compressors wasn't any greater. I could see how someone could very easily do that and basically shorten the amount of spring compression that way though. BTW, those spring compressors rule. :thumbsup:

So after I installed the rear and went for a test drive I was really surprised just how brutal these things are! The car is definitely more planted (especially in steady state) but you pay for it on the bumps and potholes as it's pretty jarring.

The idea of taking these off again (6 hrs on a gravel driveway in the cold) doesn't sit well, so I'm going to see if I can put a few more miles on them today before throwing in the towel. The seller is a super nice guy and he told me that if they don't 'work' I can send 'em back but I hope I don't have to.

Ryan, part of me wishes you'd picked them up so I wouldn't be scratching my head about this right now. :wink:

JamesShort · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:50 am

OTS Bilsteins aren't going to be that much cushier.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:09 am

JamesShort wrote:

OTS Bilsteins aren't going to be that much cushier.

I have the stock HD Bilstiens on the 3 and the ride really isn't that bad at all, firm, but not jarring in anyway. I also ran them on my old 328 and never really had any ride issues. Matt, you must have had these built pretty stiff.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:11 am

You can have this fixed by any shop that can revalve bilsteins. Mono tubes can have the same ride quality as twin tubes.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:19 pm

Good point Jason; I considered that too as an option. Also, the seller told me that since the stock rules state that the bumpstops can't come into play earlier in the compression stroke, they could be cut or replaced with softer durometer ones.

For autocross, I have a feeling that I will be pleasantly surprised though. Except crossing the bump at Danville. :lol:

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:26 pm

They might be able to address the ride quality without having a large effect on transitions. It's not expensive to revalve them, and they usually have a pretty quick turn around.

Of course, it wouldn't hurt for you to do an event or two on them, as they are, just to see if there are any other issues that you want addressed.

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Question about revalved shocks...

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