C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Bilstein part number differences

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 17, 2013 | 06:59 AM
  #1  
catchme76's Avatar
catchme76
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: MOBILE Al
Default Bilstein part number differences

I've found several part numbers after looking for a replacement shock on my 96 corvette suspension/63 Grand Sport. My current shocks are listed as part number 43911 which are listed as HD. I can't seem to find the difference in those and the B6 HD 020534. I actually purchased the B8 sports/Z51 for the rear. The Koni adjustables I bought for the front are not going to fit into the coil over housing so I am going to have to purchase b8-Z51s for the front.

Main question is this 43911 part number and the specs in this unit. All of the above are listed under a 96 Vette suspension.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2013 | 07:50 AM
  #2  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
Likes: 2,733
Default

On the shocks that are mounted presently approximately 1/2" - 3/4" from the bottom there will be information stamped into the shock. That should be able to be converted to a proper service shock for you. It should be visible even though you've got the coil-over added to them. I'm guessing this is maybe a DRM package and the shocks have been grooved and the coil-over added. The cylinder on the shock should measure 50mm, you might want to check that also. I would think that I could convert them. I'd be happy to try. What was on your old rear shocks also?

You also need to understand Bilstein's possible approach to marketing. They need to cater to the "marketing" for the resellers of Corvette, Porsche and on and on and on. They also want to retain their "image" in the suspension management components. Are all of the packages equal? I'll leave that for you to decide. The 43911 that you mention is only available from the "resellers" it seems so maybe that supports my thoughts.

Last edited by WVZR-1; Aug 17, 2013 at 08:08 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2013 | 04:04 PM
  #3  
catchme76's Avatar
catchme76
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: MOBILE Al
Default

Makes sense. Thanks for the reply. I have mongoose coil overs. Sometype of QA1 setup. They have an aluminum threaded sleeve that slides over the shock.




Reply
Old Aug 17, 2013 | 07:35 PM
  #4  
WVZR-1's Avatar
WVZR-1
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
Likes: 2,733
Default

That's a very interesting front set-up, what is on the rears? I'd think your primary concern is the outer diameter of the tube. A 46mm piston would have I believe a 50mm diameter tube. There's also a possibility that it's not a C4 application at all but a "specialty" shock and all the chassis builder used was C4 control arms and rack. That is very likely. I wouldn't rush to a buy of C4 parts. Get the numbers off both of the shocks and post them.

Whose chassis? Is it a complete Mongoose build?

Measure the outer diameter of the coil and the outer diameter of the threaded sleeve and I'll compare the dimension to a set of DRM that I have. Do you recall the free height of the spring before install? Are the front and rear springs the same height?

I see a Mongoose chassis with Koni shocks in one of their packages. Do you know that the shocks you have are actually Bilstein?

Last edited by WVZR-1; Aug 17, 2013 at 07:46 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2013 | 07:43 PM
  #5  
catchme76's Avatar
catchme76
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: MOBILE Al
Default

43911 and 43914. They are just 96 HD shocks it seems. I'm about to pull the rears and try the z51 shocks purchased. The front Konis I bought are definitely not going to fit. No biggie. Summit is right up the road to return them.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2013 | 09:09 PM
  #6  
catchme76's Avatar
catchme76
Thread Starter
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 572
Likes: 1
From: MOBILE Al
Default

You were right my friend! 43914 is just a fancy number for the B6 HD 020541. The stamped serial at the bottom of the 43914 was: last 6 digits-020541. I can't attest to the fronts, but what you described seems to be the case for the rears. Now to put the Z51s in!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Bilstein part number differences





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:25 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE