Bilstein HD vs Sport please share your experiences

G50911 · 02-22-2014, 02:10 PM

and or likes/dislikes. i'm going to replace my shocks and want to get the low down.

HarryD · 10:03 PM

In my 1973.5 T with Turbo torsion bars, 19 mm front and rear adjustable Weltmeister sway bars. I have Bilstein HD fronts and Sport rears. The car has been lowered and corner balanced by Rothsport Road and Race. I drive it for fun on the street, and at Autocross and the occasional HPDE.

I find the ride extremely satisfactory with both my 205/55-16 street tires and my 205/50-15 Track tires.

Charlie V · Charlie V's Garage

sports with 23/29 t bars. stock sway bars. Nice firm ride - not harsh.

Tidybuoy · 02-22-2014, 10:27 PM

My '74 has HD's in the front and Sports in the rear and stock torsion bars.

I think the ride is very good but is sometimes a little harsh. I'm going to upgrade to 26mm bars in the rear and I hope that smooths it out a little bit, otherwise I will switch to HD's in the rear.

I personally think that Sports in the front would be way to harsh without stiffer torsion bars.

G50911 · 02-22-2014, 11:03 PM

thanks for the responses.

isn't the role of the torsion bar for spring rate? and the shocks are just there to keep it from bouncing?

charlie, that's the set up im thinking of going. anyone know a place to get sports for the front and rear?

HarryD · 02-22-2014, 11:35 PM

Unless you are seriously tracking you car, I would rethink using Sports in front. If it was me, I would consult with Steve Weiner (posts here as Steve@Rennsport of Rennsport systems Rennsport Systems | Porsche Performance Systems and Support) for his recommendations.

Earlycar Fonzie · 02-22-2014, 11:54 PM

I have a '74 that I put Bilstein HD's. Love them! They stiffened up my ride but not harsh at all. I would recommend them. Since you are here in the bay area....call Parts Heaven. Ask for Al....and tell him Al sent you. Keep us posted on what you decided on and how you like them.

michael lang · michael lang's Garage

I have both front and rear sports. One thing you should count on after replacing your car's shocks, resetting the ride height. Installing the new shocks will raise the body of your up, I had lowered my car and several years ago when I installed the sports it raised the body up, I think it was something like 2 1/2 inches. The other thing you might want to consider when you go with new t-bars is going to a 23/30 combo instead as it is more like the factory balance in your car. The 29mm will promote more under steer so you may feel like you can't get the car to rotate enough when going through a turn. Back on topic, I love the sports I have. One of the things that I am planning on doing once my car gets back from cosmetic surgery is to have them re-valved to be just a tad stiffer.

Charlie V · Charlie V's Garage

With assertive driving, I find my car neutral in the corners. There are times when I get understeer, but that is my sloppy driving and I'm not telling the car what to do.

Aside from shocks and t bars, a few others things I have modified....

elephant bushings/mono plates
lowered about 3/8" below euro height
slightly aggressive wheel alignment. I need to try a little more camber in the front
rear seat, ac and heater blower delete - lighter ass end
Yoko AD08 in stock sizes - these are some of the lightest tires to get the unsprung weight to a minimum.

It is a fun ride - even in a choppy corner.

jager911 · 02-23-2014, 03:15 PM

You didn't state what intended use is, I'd go with Sports for track or dual-purpose and HD for street only. I have Sports for 90% track use, very good on the track, a bit firm for street.

G50911 · 02-23-2014, 03:46 PM

good point jager911. i intend to be mainly "spirited" street driving. looking around i see both green and yellow HD's and sports. is there a definitive color that implicated HD vs sport? or is that just stock photos being used.

anyone got the part # of HD's for a 68?

jager911 · 02-23-2014, 04:00 PM

I believe Sports are yellow and HDs are green. For a '74 targa I had, I went with Boge which were fine and I tracked and autocrossed it a lot but I love Bilsteins. I also have Bilsteins Sports on a 540i and they are a little too stiff for DD but handles great.
You should be able to find them on our host.

HarryD · 02-23-2014, 04:04 PM

Green are HD and Yellow are Sport.

You can see your choices from our host here:Porsche 911 Suspension - Page 1

If I am not mistaken, there are several very good shops in your area. Contact one that does 911 race cars and they can help you figure out the right thing.

jager911 · 02-23-2014, 04:08 PM

Part #:
Bilstein Shocks for a 1968 PORSCHE 911

G50911 · 02-23-2014, 08:13 PM

ok riddle me this...

our host site gives two part numbers for the fronts. early 68's (thru 9/68) is one and the other is 10/68 onward. according to my vin i have an early 68. when i compare to allshocks.com they indicate "for vehicles with black boge strut housings" which according to their site is a different part number that corresponds with the later vin years. unless my boges are painted black, i have the later year but my vin says otherwise.

now im confused

HarryD · 02-23-2014, 08:36 PM

These types of issues are why it is often worthwhile to have a relationship with a local "guru".

You will need to verify which struts you have. Did they get changed over the years or are they stock?

GMR911 · 02-28-2014, 06:32 AM

I see many Pelicanites use HD in front and sports in rear. On Bilstein application guide for 911's they recommend sports on front and HD's in rear for the sport 911 susp? This was the setup that was sold to me in 1985 when I converted my 77 from boge to bilsteins. When I rebuilt my susp a few years ago, with over 120,000 miles on the bilsteins I sent them back to bilstein to be checked. The fronts came back that one of the shocks was slightly out of spec and bilstein replaced both fronts free of charge. The rears came back perfect! BTW I like the drivability of my car. Not too harsh at all.

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

I went from Boge to BIL HD about 3 years ago, my car is setup for auto-x, but I no longer do this and the ride is harsh as hell in the front with the HD's. I had my car dialed in, but the shocks were old so I thought I would upgrade. With my setup I wish I would have went with boge, my car handled better with them. I run koni adj. in the back at full hard. If it was me, I would put new boge's in, especially on an early car that is lite in the front and street driven. What size torsion bars do you run as this will help determine what you should buy, I run 21 fronts, 29 rears.

KFC911 · 02-28-2014, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryD

These types of issues are why it is often worthwhile to have a relationship with a local "guru".
...

And Portland is relatively "local" to me

. Steve Weiner provided excellent advice and products years ago when I went down this path. What I did: Bilstein HDs (front) and Sports (rear), and that combo worked great with stock G50 torsion bars for a while (before consulting Steve) and I did that based upon Pelican experiences. When I talked w/ Steve, told him what I desired, he recommended 22/29 T-bars, but I was accidently sent 23s by mistake. I was willing to use them, but after getting in touch he cautioned me against 23s (too much)...so I sent 'em back for 22s. Years later...no regrets whatsoever, and I wouldn't change a thing....YMMV. Don't attempt to reinvent the wheel, and go with a proven 911 "expert" is my advice too...good luck!

Jdub · 02-28-2014, 07:11 AM

Using 21/26 with Sports all around (7"/9" Fuchs), Weltmeister poly bushings, OEM bushing in swing arms, and Neatrix for the rear. All else replaced (930 tierods; new ball joints, etc.).

The suspension is essentially rebuilt. The car (Targa) is too stiff for certain, but dammit not a single squeak or groan - I am a NUT about chasing that stuff down.

Will be rethinking this setup at some point in the future.