Bilstein B6 or B8?
04-27-2015, 02:51 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Bilstein B6 or B8?
Ready to order new shocks for my 89 base coupe but can't decide on the B6s or B8s. Certainly don't do any racing but I do like curves and interstate ramps.
Suggestions? Opinions? And yes, I searched the forum but didn't find a comparison between the two.
Rick
Suggestions? Opinions? And yes, I searched the forum but didn't find a comparison between the two.
Rick
04-27-2015, 09:13 PM
#2
Advanced
The easy call is to get the shocks that are matched to your springs. If you have a base without thw z51 package, then get the B6s.
04-28-2015, 06:13 PM
#4
Instructor
Bilstien shocks
I installed 4 new Bilstein shocks from allshocks.com on my 90 coup with Z51. car has 270k car handling is superb! you will like yours as well
04-28-2015, 07:32 PM
#5
Drifting
Bilstein Sports are shorter and valves slightly stiffer than HD
04-29-2015, 09:43 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
I have posted this on a couple of threads, but this is what I found when I called Bilstein and got some info from them about the C4 shocks. I was concerned about the damping rate differences and the lengths since I read that the Z51's are used on lowered cars.
I found some info on the Bilstein HD (non Z51) and SP (Z51) for comparison.
I searched for my '95 Corvette and found length and damping values by part number for these shocks.
**The only length difference between the HD or SP is the compressed length of the front shocks. The Z51 has more travel and can go slightly lower.
**The damping rates are quite different. The Z51 rates are about twice as firm in both jounce and rebound.
For me the choice is easy. I will go with the Z51 shocks on my '95. I liked them on my '94 and was investigating it to see the differences. I like a firmer ride.
HD (B6) Front (non Z51) 24-020534
Length Min/Max 10.18" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 106 Nm/ 76 Nm
SP (B8) Front (Z51) 24-184861
Length Min/Max 9.43" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 228 Nm/ 261 Nm
HD (B6) Rear (non Z51) 24-020541
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 134 Nm/ 114 Nm
SP (B8) Rear (Z51) 24-184878
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 222 Nm/ 222 Nm
I found some info on the Bilstein HD (non Z51) and SP (Z51) for comparison.
I searched for my '95 Corvette and found length and damping values by part number for these shocks.
**The only length difference between the HD or SP is the compressed length of the front shocks. The Z51 has more travel and can go slightly lower.
**The damping rates are quite different. The Z51 rates are about twice as firm in both jounce and rebound.
For me the choice is easy. I will go with the Z51 shocks on my '95. I liked them on my '94 and was investigating it to see the differences. I like a firmer ride.
HD (B6) Front (non Z51) 24-020534
Length Min/Max 10.18" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 106 Nm/ 76 Nm
SP (B8) Front (Z51) 24-184861
Length Min/Max 9.43" / 13.56"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 228 Nm/ 261 Nm
HD (B6) Rear (non Z51) 24-020541
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 134 Nm/ 114 Nm
SP (B8) Rear (Z51) 24-184878
Length Min/Max 9.61" / 14.69"
Damping Jounce/Rebound 222 Nm/ 222 Nm
04-29-2015, 09:59 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thanks a million for the advice. I ordered a set of B6s yesterday to replace the leaking factory ones. How do the factory installed Bilsteins differ from the B6s, or do they?
Rick
Rick