Bilstein Sport Vs. Bilstein?

[IAN]

I'm in the process of replacing my front shocks. Which Bilsteins do I want?

Does it matter what is in the rear? I believe they are regular Bilsteins- I replaced them in the spring.

Thanks,
Ian

[Bobboloo]

You'll get a lot of opinions on this but my feelings are, if you have stock torsion bars, anything stronger than HD will not be the best match.

[Don Plumley]

Here's the other opinion - I have Sports on stock torsions, lowered to sub-Euro height. Very satisfied. Just off four days at the track, unreal. In the city on potholes, I prefer the Sports to my old setup.

However, when I did this I had nearly new HD's in the rear and replaced them to have Sports on all four corners. I believe some mix/match Sport and HD, if memory serves the use Sport Rears and HD fronts. Could have that backwards though. For me, I wanted the same front and rear.

Perhaps it depends on the car. Mine is an 87 Carrera weighing in at 2895. Maybe on a lighter car it does not work as well.

[HarryD]

Hi Ian,

When I did my car last winter, Steve Weiner suggested Bilstein HD fronts and Sports rears. I Autocross my car in addition to taking the family unit out for "sunday drives". He told me that if I did not Autocross, he would have suggested HD's all around.

If I am not mistaken the Sports are yellow and the HDs are green.

[Jeff Alton]

Lots of people use the HD in the front and the sport in the rear. The thing to remember about ride quality is that it is effected most by the LIGHT end of the car. A stiffer shock in the rear will not affect the ride as much as one that is too stiff in the front. Maybe you should think about having yours rebuilt and revalved. Give Steve Weiner a call at Rennsport Systems and see what he thinks. He really knows his shock valving............

Cheers

[randywebb]

This is a good place to post the valving of the 2 types of Bilsteins for jounce & rebound both; a link to the SRP page on this; and other info re shock selection.

Also, remeber that Steve W. makes his living in part by doing this before you call him up for free advice...

[KobaltBlau]

I think the HDs have good valving for stock torsion bars and the sports are good for moderate upgrades like 21 or 22 in front and 27-29 in the rear, though the compression damping on the sports seems like it could be backed off a bit. YMMV.

here is the valving I believe randy was referring to:

HD's Rebound/Compression
Front 130/76
Rear 195/151

Sport Rebound/Compression
Front 194/150
Rear 311/160

it was reposted by 911-32 in this informative thread, which is worth reading:

Bilstein Valving

[MysticAlpaca]

I just put 4 Sports in my Targa and the car feels a lot better now. I also have a triangulated strut bar. The ride is not harsh at all. Of course I have a Carrera Targa and they are heavier cars.

--Bill

[Jeff Alton]

I was not suggesting you call him for free advice. I was suggesting you get the valving done by him, like I did.



Cheers

[cantdrv55]

I have sports all around with stock torsion bars. Unbelieveable cornering on autox and track but may be a little unforgiving on the road.

[911 heathen]

I don't mean to be a pedant (but this is a tech BB); in torsion bar suspended cars, the 'shocks' should be called dampers....they dampen the springing action of the torsion bars.

But to add constructive comment to the thread, I run HD's all round and for street use they are just great. Corners real flat.
On a track day, I could do with Sports for sure but for day to day, go the HD's....

I am running 17" wheels however; if on 16", I would opt sport in the rear, HD front.

Cin Cin
James

[livi]

Standard (HD) all around. Stock torsion bars and 16" on my Carrera. Perfect for me (only street driven).

[Icemaster]

---what Bill said. Did the same on the same car, unbelievable.

[Jeff Alton]

Originally posted by 911 heathen
I don't mean to be a pedant (but this is a tech BB); in torsion bar suspended cars, the 'shocks' should be called dampers....they dampen the springing action of the torsion bars.

But to add constructive comment to the thread, I run HD's all round and for street use they are just great. Corners real flat.
On a track day, I could do with Sports for sure but for day to day, go the HD's....

I am running 17" wheels however; if on 16", I would opt sport in the rear, HD front.

Cin Cin
James