Bilstein HD vs Bilstein Sport.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Va Beach VA
Bilstein HD vs Bilstein Sport.
Checking out the bilstein website they say the HD's are an upgrade from OEM shocks and the Sports are better suited to compliment suspension upgrades but do fine with a stock setup if you want a stiffer feel....However with more reading on forums throughout the intra-web some people tend to think the sports are no differently valved than the HD's, they just have a shorter strut for a car with lowering coils. I'm just so confused...
But then I wonder... If I am to assume that most sprt springs are 25-35% stiffer than stock, can't I continue this logic and assume that the Bilstein sports are going to be valved a little stiffer to compliment the sport spring
But then I wonder... If I am to assume that most sprt springs are 25-35% stiffer than stock, can't I continue this logic and assume that the Bilstein sports are going to be valved a little stiffer to compliment the sport spring
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 658
Likes: 1
From: Centerville OH
The lengths of the Sport and HD shocks are exactly the same. The difference between the two is in the shock valving. The Sport shocks are set up to work best with higher rate springs (Z51) where the HD parts are intended for use with stock rate springs.
Comparing the damping forces between the Sport and HD, the Sports have considerably more rebound damping and slightly less compression damping.
Which shock is right for your car is actually a matter of personal preference and how you use the car.
Comparing the damping forces between the Sport and HD, the Sports have considerably more rebound damping and slightly less compression damping.
Which shock is right for your car is actually a matter of personal preference and how you use the car.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 741
Likes: 37
From: Athens, GA
The lengths of the Sport and HD shocks are exactly the same. The difference between the two is in the shock valving. The Sport shocks are set up to work best with higher rate springs (Z51) where the HD parts are intended for use with stock rate springs.
Comparing the damping forces between the Sport and HD, the Sports have considerably more rebound damping and slightly less compression damping.
Which shock is right for your car is actually a matter of personal preference and how you use the car.
Comparing the damping forces between the Sport and HD, the Sports have considerably more rebound damping and slightly less compression damping.
Which shock is right for your car is actually a matter of personal preference and how you use the car.
I spoke with VB&P before I bought my Bilsteins last year, and they said that the HD shock is the replacement for the FE1 suspension, while the Sport shock is the Z51 shock. I went with the Sport shock on my FE1 '95, and really like 'em.
Steven
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Checking out the bilstein website they say the HD's are an upgrade from OEM shocks and the Sports are better suited to compliment suspension upgrades but do fine with a stock setup if you want a stiffer feel....However with more reading on forums throughout the intra-web some people tend to think the sports are no differently valved than the HD's, they just have a shorter strut for a car with lowering coils. I'm just so confused...
But then I wonder... If I am to assume that most sprt springs are 25-35% stiffer than stock, can't I continue this logic and assume that the Bilstein sports are going to be valved a little stiffer to compliment the sport spring
But then I wonder... If I am to assume that most sprt springs are 25-35% stiffer than stock, can't I continue this logic and assume that the Bilstein sports are going to be valved a little stiffer to compliment the sport spring
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,621
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
The lengths of the Sport and HD shocks are exactly the same. The difference between the two is in the shock valving. The Sport shocks are set up to work best with higher rate springs (Z51) where the HD parts are intended for use with stock rate springs.
Comparing the damping forces between the Sport and HD, the Sports have considerably more rebound damping and slightly less compression damping.
Which shock is right for your car is actually a matter of personal preference and how you use the car.
Comparing the damping forces between the Sport and HD, the Sports have considerably more rebound damping and slightly less compression damping.
Which shock is right for your car is actually a matter of personal preference and how you use the car.
also. My car road pretty hard and wheels often left the ground as the ASR activated. Also the passenger said it was a real hard ride. I installed the HD shocks as recommended by the Ecklers installers I spoke with at an event there. The car now rides softer but still handles fine. ASR is not nearly as touchy and is just a nicer ride.
The Z51 suspension has a 2 lock turn on the steering wheel verses the standard suspension of 2 ¼ turns. This will answer any questions as to what you have.
The shocks I removed which I believe to be the original are definitely stiffer but don’t think they were really bad, but only different. I kept them just incase I want to reuse them. I just think the originals are stiffer than the replacement HD. If I recall if you compress them, the release time on the originals were about 13 seconds and the HD was about 7 seconds to full expansion.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
the z51 shock is a pretty good for the money. you basically have to spend twice as much on a koni sport to move up the ladder higher. i actually thought the z51 bilstein was a little light on rebound in a track day environment. not at all a bad way to go for the $ though. no personal exp with the HD but they seem popular on the base rate spring cars where ride quality is the primary goal.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Toronto(Don Mills) Ontario
I understand that the early Z51 cars, as my L86 Z51 Coupe, came with the Bilstein Sports. Did the Z52 cars, that started with the 1987's I think, get the Sport or HD Bilsteins? Ciao!
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Hello Guys,
I recently purchased a 1988 Vette and am slowly getting it to be trusted. I am performing all the maintenance required etc and improving bit by bit.
I have noticed the shocks and struts are a bit rusty so I figured I might as well start looking for options. I live in Spain so I would like to be able to purchase locally without having to import and therefore making it all more expensive.
Could anyone please provide me the part-numbers for Bilstein and Koni (front and rear). My car does have the Z51 package.
KONI:
Front #:
Rear #:
BILSTEIN:
Front #:
Rear #:
Thanks a lot,
Korsou
I recently purchased a 1988 Vette and am slowly getting it to be trusted. I am performing all the maintenance required etc and improving bit by bit.
I have noticed the shocks and struts are a bit rusty so I figured I might as well start looking for options. I live in Spain so I would like to be able to purchase locally without having to import and therefore making it all more expensive.
Could anyone please provide me the part-numbers for Bilstein and Koni (front and rear). My car does have the Z51 package.
KONI:
Front #:
Rear #:
BILSTEIN:
Front #:
Rear #:
Thanks a lot,
Korsou
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Hello Guys,
I recently purchased a 1988 Vette and am slowly getting it to be trusted. I am performing all the maintenance required etc and improving bit by bit.
I have noticed the shocks and struts are a bit rusty so I figured I might as well start looking for options. I live in Spain so I would like to be able to purchase locally without having to import and therefore making it all more expensive.
Could anyone please provide me the part-numbers for Bilstein and Koni (front and rear). My car does have the Z51 package.
KONI:
Front #:
Rear #:
BILSTEIN:
Front #:
Rear #:
Thanks a lot,
Korsou
I recently purchased a 1988 Vette and am slowly getting it to be trusted. I am performing all the maintenance required etc and improving bit by bit.
I have noticed the shocks and struts are a bit rusty so I figured I might as well start looking for options. I live in Spain so I would like to be able to purchase locally without having to import and therefore making it all more expensive.
Could anyone please provide me the part-numbers for Bilstein and Koni (front and rear). My car does have the Z51 package.
KONI:
Front #:
Rear #:
BILSTEIN:
Front #:
Rear #:
Thanks a lot,
Korsou
Highy appreciated
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
Hello Guys,
I recently purchased a 1988 Vette and am slowly getting it to be trusted. I am performing all the maintenance required etc and improving bit by bit.
I have noticed the shocks and struts are a bit rusty so I figured I might as well start looking for options. I live in Spain so I would like to be able to purchase locally without having to import and therefore making it all more expensive.
Could anyone please provide me the part-numbers for Bilstein and Koni (front and rear). My car does have the Z51 package.
KONI:
Front #:
Rear #:
BILSTEIN:
Front #:
Rear #:
Thanks a lot,
Korsou
I recently purchased a 1988 Vette and am slowly getting it to be trusted. I am performing all the maintenance required etc and improving bit by bit.
I have noticed the shocks and struts are a bit rusty so I figured I might as well start looking for options. I live in Spain so I would like to be able to purchase locally without having to import and therefore making it all more expensive.
Could anyone please provide me the part-numbers for Bilstein and Koni (front and rear). My car does have the Z51 package.
KONI:
Front #:
Rear #:
BILSTEIN:
Front #:
Rear #:
Thanks a lot,
Korsou
But honestly, if I were shopping for shocks in this price range now I would probably go with Ridetech HQ. They are a monotube shock using Fox internals and an (essentially) lifetime guarantee. I have a set of Koni Sports on my 96, but I think the Ridetechs are a better damper at a similar price.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,377
Likes: 2,737
The Koni part# for the rear of your car is 8241 1098Sport. They don't offer one for the front until the 89+ cars.
But honestly, if I were shopping for shocks in this price range now I would probably go with Ridetech HQ. They are a monotube shock using Fox internals and an (essentially) lifetime guarantee. I have a set of Koni Sports on my 96, but I think the Ridetechs are a better damper at a similar price.
But honestly, if I were shopping for shocks in this price range now I would probably go with Ridetech HQ. They are a monotube shock using Fox internals and an (essentially) lifetime guarantee. I have a set of Koni Sports on my 96, but I think the Ridetechs are a better damper at a similar price.
Matt are these the shocks whose damping can be adjusted by adding some pressure? Sort of like mountain bike shocks?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
Nope. Adding gas pressure just affects the effective spring rate of the shock and helps keep the fluid from foaming when it gets worked hard. On a bike, adding gas pressure changes the ride height but it shouldn't change the damping rate. All damping on any shock (except Magnetorheological shocks) is only controlled by the valving or the viscosity of the fluid. Like any adjustable shock I know if, Ridetech HQs adjust by changing something in the valving with the **** (maybe a needle valve that changes the opening of an orifice? Not actually sure). Like Konis, it works on rebound damping rate only, which is the proper way to do single-adjustability on a shock. Unlike Konis, the adjuster **** on these is easily accessible, whereas you have to remove the rear Konis to adjust them.
Last edited by MatthewMiller; Feb 1, 2019 at 06:49 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
The Koni part# for the rear of your car is 8241 1098Sport. They don't offer one for the front until the 89+ cars.
But honestly, if I were shopping for shocks in this price range now I would probably go with Ridetech HQ. They are a monotube shock using Fox internals and an (essentially) lifetime guarantee. I have a set of Koni Sports on my 96, but I think the Ridetechs are a better damper at a similar price.
But honestly, if I were shopping for shocks in this price range now I would probably go with Ridetech HQ. They are a monotube shock using Fox internals and an (essentially) lifetime guarantee. I have a set of Koni Sports on my 96, but I think the Ridetechs are a better damper at a similar price.
Thanks for your response but the problem is that in Spain installing the Ridetech setup is a huge problem.
Any help with the Bilstein with Z51 part-numbers would be great !!!!
Thanks again
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,377
Likes: 2,737
they came with the sport/z51 shocks.
They did not come with what is currently called the HD shocks. the HD shocks are what goes on base model cars as a modern replacement. i did my 86 base about a year ago and it was a huge improvement over the garbage that was on thier.
if i was to do it again, id get the ridetechs for the reasons matt provides. sounds like you cant.
at high speeds and even at low speeds, my base 86 suspensions feels cadilac-ish. i want it to be much harsher/stiffer.
Last edited by VikingTrad3r; Feb 2, 2019 at 12:07 PM.
