Anyone try Eckler's autocross Bilstiens?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Rhodes IA
Anyone try Eckler's autocross Bilstiens?
Eckler's carries what they call 'autocross' Bilstiens. Has anyone used them? How do they differ in performance from Z51s? Just trying for some real world input before I call.
Thanks,
Mark
Thanks,
Mark
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
From: Asheville NC
Bilstein Heavy Duty Valvings-
For most vehicles including full-size sedans, wagons and most trucks, these units provide improved handling and stability without sacrificing the ride. Their superior damping ability makes them ideal for heavy hauling or occasional off-road use - while still maintaining an exceptional "street" feel. As with all Bilsteins, these units instantaneously self-adjust to changing road surfaces. In addition, their performance does not gradually decline from age, use or heat - requiring no compensating manual adjustments as with conventional multi-tube units. All Bilsteins listed in our Online Catalogs are considered a Heavy Duty Valving unless specified otherwise in the catalog listing.
Bilstein Comfort Valvings -
Some vehicles come equipped from the factory with a Bilstein made shock. Specifically GM vehicles, Mercedes, and others. These units, while built by Bilstein, are made and valved to the car manufacturer's specs, not Bilstein's. They will have a soft or "light" valving. While they are still a monotube shock, they typically do not dampen as well as a Bilstein with Heavy Duty or Sport Valving. (most Customers upgrade to a HD or Sport valving Bilstein if more performance is desired.)
Bilstein Sport Valvings -
For the performance minded driver, Bilstein Sport units deliver absomute mastery of the road surface. Designed to push a car's suspension to its performance peak, these super-firm units are well suited for use with special springs, anti-sway bars, and other suspension upgrades. As with other Bilstein units, Sports are uniquely self-adjusting.
Bilstein Ralley and Race Valvings -
Bilstein units designated Ralley or Race are specifically set to meet the rigourous demands of driving competition. Their success should be measured by the unprecedented levels of acceptance and use by professional drivers in virtually all major motorsports. Ralley and Race units may include such features as spherical bearings, adjustable spring-seats longer or shorter than standard dimentions. They and not suited for street use.
For most vehicles including full-size sedans, wagons and most trucks, these units provide improved handling and stability without sacrificing the ride. Their superior damping ability makes them ideal for heavy hauling or occasional off-road use - while still maintaining an exceptional "street" feel. As with all Bilsteins, these units instantaneously self-adjust to changing road surfaces. In addition, their performance does not gradually decline from age, use or heat - requiring no compensating manual adjustments as with conventional multi-tube units. All Bilsteins listed in our Online Catalogs are considered a Heavy Duty Valving unless specified otherwise in the catalog listing.
Bilstein Comfort Valvings -
Some vehicles come equipped from the factory with a Bilstein made shock. Specifically GM vehicles, Mercedes, and others. These units, while built by Bilstein, are made and valved to the car manufacturer's specs, not Bilstein's. They will have a soft or "light" valving. While they are still a monotube shock, they typically do not dampen as well as a Bilstein with Heavy Duty or Sport Valving. (most Customers upgrade to a HD or Sport valving Bilstein if more performance is desired.)
Bilstein Sport Valvings -
For the performance minded driver, Bilstein Sport units deliver absomute mastery of the road surface. Designed to push a car's suspension to its performance peak, these super-firm units are well suited for use with special springs, anti-sway bars, and other suspension upgrades. As with other Bilstein units, Sports are uniquely self-adjusting.
Bilstein Ralley and Race Valvings -
Bilstein units designated Ralley or Race are specifically set to meet the rigourous demands of driving competition. Their success should be measured by the unprecedented levels of acceptance and use by professional drivers in virtually all major motorsports. Ralley and Race units may include such features as spherical bearings, adjustable spring-seats longer or shorter than standard dimentions. They and not suited for street use.
I would say what they offer as "AUTOCROSS" valving would be the Sport's...Not 100% sure though....
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 502
Likes: 17
From: Jacksonville FL
Bilstein Autocross Shocks
I'm not sure which shock Eckler's is selling as their Autocross Shock. There is a chance they have had a special valving done by Bilstein. Call them and ask.
I've run the sport shocks for two years now in combination with the standard springs but changed to the Z-51 stabilizer bars. I like the softer spring (than a Z-51) on the rougher autocross courses that sometimes happen and for the small amount of street driving I do.
I've driven a Club members '95 with the standard Bilsteins and can really notice the difference in the way the car transitions like in a slalom. My car is much quicker in direction change but does pay the price in ride quality.
It is possible that Ecklers has asked Bilstein to make a valving between the Sport and the standard Bilstein valving.
Oh, my car is a '96 LT-4 Collector's Edition
Locke McCormick
North Florida Corvette Assn.
Jacksonville, FL
I've run the sport shocks for two years now in combination with the standard springs but changed to the Z-51 stabilizer bars. I like the softer spring (than a Z-51) on the rougher autocross courses that sometimes happen and for the small amount of street driving I do.
I've driven a Club members '95 with the standard Bilsteins and can really notice the difference in the way the car transitions like in a slalom. My car is much quicker in direction change but does pay the price in ride quality.
It is possible that Ecklers has asked Bilstein to make a valving between the Sport and the standard Bilstein valving.
Oh, my car is a '96 LT-4 Collector's Edition
Locke McCormick
North Florida Corvette Assn.
Jacksonville, FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: Westminster MD
Vette Brakes sells an "Xtreme" valved Bilstein for $80 ea that I bet is about the same or better than the Ecker's "Autocross" valving at $120 ea.
If you're serious about competing, step up to something like the Koni yellow's - you'll get some adjustment to play with and tune for the conditions, but are going to spend a bit more.
If you're serious about competing, step up to something like the Koni yellow's - you'll get some adjustment to play with and tune for the conditions, but are going to spend a bit more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Originally Posted by vader86
It is a slightly stiffer shock than their Z51 setup.
VBANDP, you guys watching this, care to chime in?
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
First I have ever heard of that....
I hear them ranked as the second best shock for our Vettes, behind Koni Adj...and maybe qa1s...mine lasted 135k without leaking...
Where is the info from, you got me curious.
I hear them ranked as the second best shock for our Vettes, behind Koni Adj...and maybe qa1s...mine lasted 135k without leaking...
Where is the info from, you got me curious.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, AZ. L98-85 AUTO COUPE: 120k MILES: daily driver. SOUND OFF IF YOU'VE BEEN THERE. Ex-Jumpin' Junky-82nd Airborne-2/505 PIR: 1st ID-1/16th Inf: Recon Marine Retread. GOD BLESS GRUNTS.
Originally Posted by Locke
I'm not sure which shock Eckler's is selling as their Autocross Shock. There is a chance they have had a special valving done by Bilstein. Call them and ask.
I've run the sport shocks for two years now in combination with the standard springs but changed to the Z-51 stabilizer bars. I like the softer spring (than a Z-51) on the rougher autocross courses that sometimes happen and for the small amount of street driving I do.
I've driven a Club members '95 with the standard Bilsteins and can really notice the difference in the way the car transitions like in a slalom. My car is much quicker in direction change but does pay the price in ride quality.
It is possible that Ecklers has asked Bilstein to make a valving between the Sport and the standard Bilstein valving.
Oh, my car is a '96 LT-4 Collector's Edition
Locke McCormick
North Florida Corvette Assn.
Jacksonville, FL
I've run the sport shocks for two years now in combination with the standard springs but changed to the Z-51 stabilizer bars. I like the softer spring (than a Z-51) on the rougher autocross courses that sometimes happen and for the small amount of street driving I do.
I've driven a Club members '95 with the standard Bilsteins and can really notice the difference in the way the car transitions like in a slalom. My car is much quicker in direction change but does pay the price in ride quality.
It is possible that Ecklers has asked Bilstein to make a valving between the Sport and the standard Bilstein valving.
Oh, my car is a '96 LT-4 Collector's Edition
Locke McCormick
North Florida Corvette Assn.
Jacksonville, FL
Last edited by parafrog; Apr 15, 2006 at 02:55 AM.