Give Me A Ride Or Opinion (Please!) - Bilstein Or Coilovers

[darksky34]

Alright guys, time to make final decision regarding my suspension.

It's come down to:

Bilstein + king springs

OR

HSD coilovers (recommended by a few mechanics I've spoken with)

OR

Cusco coilovers (undecided on model yet)

These are listed in no particular order, though Bilsten and HSD are more in my budget I think. My purpose: Street only, will never/rarely hit the tracks. Want comfort and handling as top priorities so obviously a compromise will have to be made regardless of what I choose.

Is anyone able to give me a ride in their car with Bilsteins+Spring setup? I haven't actually been in one and would like to see how it is, especially as my mechanic said they would still be a bit harsh for AU roads and thus still recommended me HSDs. And budget is ~1500$ as evident by choices listed. Thanks for your help!

[AngryRB]

the first option is probably more legal, but the second will allow adjustments and would be my pick I think,

You want to be very careful about spring rates , from what I hear, fronts 8 and back 6 would be good, or go even softer , f 6 and r 4 for extra comfort.

[Watchamacallit]

I guess the question is what is the budget? I'm running with SydneyKid's Bilstein setup on my 34 GTR after changing from S Tunes and for me personally, I find it a lot better. Sacrificed a little bit of the handling for a more comfortable ride whlie still retaining the feel of the car. I went with the setup on PSS9s and not on just Bilstein shocks so I have some of the adjustability, though I'm sure the shock/spring combo (Eibachs) are very similar.

[darksky34]

^my budget is ~$1500. So your GTR Bilstein setup isn't on-car adjustable? I guess for some people there's really no need for it to be adjustable like that. People like me. I won't be getting Eibachs as SK has informed that their spring rates aren't as suitable to Aussie roads as King spring (for example) are.

[MrStabby]

My purpose: Street only, will never/rarely hit the tracks. Want comfort and handling as top priorities so obviously a compromise will have to be made regardless of what I choose.

In that case 8/6 will definitely be too stiff. Bilsteins with 6/4 will be in the ballpark. IIRC thats what SK used, but check the Group Buy thread, it should still be there.

Oh and they're all "coilovers" - there's no other suspension type in skylines.

[DekA]

Gotten fed up with the harsh ride with the Cusco Zero-2s I currently have so after speaking to SK I am going to replace them with one of his Bilstein/Eibachs kits.

[NISSAN GTR]

6 months ago i had stockies with Tein lowering springs - $ 300 - found the rear of the car was bouncing due to the short travel length of the stockies ,

So i bit the bullet and have new Bilsteins $1100 with Tein Lowering springs , ride is great a bit harder than stock still comfortable 40mm drop at the front and 25mm rear , with no body roll .

Im like you, i will never have to adjust suspension again also was sick of coilovers short lifespan and of course the illegal coilover factor with my other cars .

I think you could do better than king springs , what drop do they give

[r32-25t]

Oh and they're all "coilovers" - there's no other suspension type in skylines.

not true, a strut is not automatically a coilover

[usmair]

mine a 5kg all around very comfy... glad i switched from stiff Bilstein to comfy Tiens

[darksky34]

6 months ago i had stockies with Tein lowering springs - $ 300 - found the rear of the car was bouncing due to the short travel length of the stockies ,

So i bit the bullet and have new Bilsteins $1100 with Tein Lowering springs , ride is great a bit harder than stock still comfortable 40mm drop at the front and 25mm rear , with no body roll .

Im like you, i will never have to adjust suspension again also was sick of coilovers short lifespan and of course the illegal coilover factor with my other cars .

I think you could do better than king springs , what drop do they give

I asked 'wholesale suspension' (a distributor of King) and they said ~30mm drop from stock height. This was for the 'lowered' springs (there are also 'standard' and 'super low' and 'raised').

you reckon I should go with other springs? any other recommendation? SK told me that he did a test (recently) on the Eibachs and found it wasn't suitable for our roads, which is why I looked at King.

[NISSAN GTR]

Yeah in that case give Kings a go , i have heard they are as close to factory as possible

Teins are slightly stiffer , V Spec compared to Non V Spec

[MrStabby]

not true, a strut is not automatically a coilover

Can you name an example?

[darksky34]

Just a quick update, have bitten the bullet and ordered in the Bilsteins. Will let you guys know how it goes.

[NISSAN GTR]

Which ones ? Make sure you get the unit with the adjustable bottom spring perch !!

[darksky34]

not quite sure of the model actually, I'm getting them from SK so whatever they are from the groupbuy that he had a few years ago, I'm getting the same thing! can't wait to get them in....

[nick_7g]

You know you can import Bilstein PSS9's from Germany for about $1,400 landed - refer here: http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/394980-bilsteins-direct-from-germany/

[darksky34]

hey Nick, yeah I've seen that thread and believe me I would have gone that route but I believe that they only made PSS9s for GTRs and since i have a GTT the damper rates will be different and hence valving is unsuited to me. Unfortunately. Not to mention the difference in height as GTRs have different weight distribution to the GTTs. I know a lot of the terms i mentioned above are vague and possibly incorrect but that's just quickly off the top of my head.

[nick_7g]

Yeh, sorry. I didn't realise you had a GTT.

[500hp]

Bro go bilstien there the best !

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

I've had SK's Bilstein shocks in my previous R33.. awesome stuff, but I would recommend upgrading your anti roll bars (sway bars as they're known) at the same time. Because you're running forgiving spring rates you still will experience some body roll, to eliminate that just upgrade to decent anti roll bars.

I would suggest something like 24mm front and 24mm rear (some will say why not get 27mm front, it's because most run staggered wheels so the car will understeer naturally)

Just my 2 cents

Don't get HSD, get BC BR.. they're much better for the price.