The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread
#1281
The other thing about that lower washer is how close, or far, is it from fitting within a 2.5" spring. If it's close, perhaps it's worth modifying. If it's way off, I'll visit Home Depot and take the easy way out. That's kind of the deciding factor, and the only thing I'm waiting on to order the NB top hats, bushings, and retainers. Priority Mazda has them for roughly $150 shipped, PartsVP is a bit less.
Last edited by Thucydides; 02-03-2018 at 09:11 PM.
#1283
#1284
The machine work is relatively simple, but I’m sure the Sherline mini-lathe - actually more micro-lathe - is too small to accommodate the diameter of the parts involved. Based on your description of the modified lower retainer, I’m confident I won’t have any trouble with that. Thanks, Bronson, you’ve been a lot of help.
#1285
Greetings all; glad to have found this thread as I'm putting together a NB coil over. I'm gathering parts and I have two questions. First, which coil sleeve setup is/works better; Allstar or 5XRacing, something else? I won't be using extended top hats so not having to cut the sleeves would be nice, and a nice tight fit on NB shocks is also preferable.
Next, I've read here or elsewhere that the OEM NB lower bushing washer doesn't fit within 2.5" springs; is it a close fit I can easily chuck up on a lathe and cut down, or is it just way too big?
Next, I've read here or elsewhere that the OEM NB lower bushing washer doesn't fit within 2.5" springs; is it a close fit I can easily chuck up on a lathe and cut down, or is it just way too big?
When I was fitting the ISC top hats to the NB Bilstiens I ran into a similar problem. The cupped bump-stop-bushing-washer-thing would not fit into the opening in the top hat. I took a thick piece of steel and drilled out my own washer with a hole saw. I had to open up the center hole to fit the shock shaft with a stepped bit (which also chamfered the edge a bit). They are thicker than the OEM parts, so far so good.
#1287
When I was fitting the ISC top hats to the NB Bilstiens I ran into a similar problem. The cupped bump-stop-bushing-washer-thing would not fit into the opening in the top hat. I took a thick piece of steel and drilled out my own washer with a hole saw. I had to open up the center hole to fit the shock shaft with a stepped bit (which also chamfered the edge a bit). They are thicker than the OEM parts, so far so good.
Or you could've read the beginning of the thread + gone to Home Depot and picked up some stock flat washers like in Post #3 Dont use that bump stop washer cup
Last edited by Thucydides; 02-04-2018 at 06:09 PM.
#1289
I'm presently looking at bumps tops and wondering why four little foam bumpers with holes drilled through them cost $100. I'm wanting something comfortable and progressive. Intergra Speedthane ($18 each), Ground Control ($12 each), ??? In the absence of good evidence to go expensive, I'm inclined to Ground Control (German made, ausgezeichnet!)
#1290
Or you could've read the beginning of the thread + gone to Home Depot and picked up some stock flat washers like in Post #3 Dont use that bump stop washer cup
#1291
I'm presently looking at bumps tops and wondering why four little foam bumpers with holes drilled through them cost $100. I'm wanting something comfortable and progressive. Intergra Speedthane ($18 each), Ground Control ($12 each), ??? In the absence of good evidence to go expensive, I'm inclined to Ground Control (German made, ausgezeichnet!)
http://store.resuspension.com/
OHLINS BUMP RUBBER
Bump Rubber 16/47/36 PUR 650. 1.42" h x 1.85" w
- - - - - - - - -
OHLINS BUMP RUBBER
Bump Rubber 16/49/50 PUR 650. 1.968" h x 1.93" w
Last edited by Darth Maulata; 02-05-2018 at 09:46 AM.
#1294
For anyone interested in current prices, so far I've ordered the following:
Bump stops, Ground Control (soft, shocks), $58.48
Spring isolators, Energy Suspension 9.6103, $22.62
Mazda OEM NB top hats, upper and lower bumpers, upper and lower washers, top hat Teflon sheets, Priority Mazda, $132.60
NB Bilsteins, Tire Rack (on back-order until sometime in March), $408
5XRacing coil over sleeves, $128.45
All of the above prices include shipping and California sales tax. The total to date is $750.15
I still need to order springs, which will likely be Hyperco or Swift. All told I should be into this for around a grand, more or less.
Swift publishes the usable stroke of their springs, but it appears Hyperco does not, so that's a bit of a problem. Anyone know where I can get tech info for Hyperco springs? I've emailed them but they haven't responded.
Bump stops, Ground Control (soft, shocks), $58.48
Spring isolators, Energy Suspension 9.6103, $22.62
Mazda OEM NB top hats, upper and lower bumpers, upper and lower washers, top hat Teflon sheets, Priority Mazda, $132.60
NB Bilsteins, Tire Rack (on back-order until sometime in March), $408
5XRacing coil over sleeves, $128.45
All of the above prices include shipping and California sales tax. The total to date is $750.15
I still need to order springs, which will likely be Hyperco or Swift. All told I should be into this for around a grand, more or less.
Swift publishes the usable stroke of their springs, but it appears Hyperco does not, so that's a bit of a problem. Anyone know where I can get tech info for Hyperco springs? I've emailed them but they haven't responded.
Last edited by Thucydides; 02-09-2018 at 03:59 PM.
#1296
While I'm here, the "soft, shock" bump stops I got from Ground Control are just under 54 mm long ($12 each plus shipping, $58.48 total).
Last edited by Thucydides; 02-12-2018 at 04:19 PM.
#1297
I think you'll struggle to get a setup that will coil-bind a hyperco/eibach etc in usual sizes for OTS/OEM bilsteins - in most cases you'll run out of shock travel. Or wheel travel (into your chassis).
Eibach catalog here has block heights etc: https://eibach.com/us/rt-2-catalog-downloads.html IIRC i've seen a catalogue / similar thing for hypercoils & their OBD springs had marginally more travel for the same rates as the eibach ones.
Eibach catalog here has block heights etc: https://eibach.com/us/rt-2-catalog-downloads.html IIRC i've seen a catalogue / similar thing for hypercoils & their OBD springs had marginally more travel for the same rates as the eibach ones.
#1298
I think you'll struggle to get a setup that will coil-bind a hyperco/eibach etc in usual sizes for OTS/OEM bilsteins - in most cases you'll run out of shock travel. Or wheel travel (into your chassis).
Eibach catalog here has block heights etc: https://eibach.com/us/rt-2-catalog-downloads.html IIRC i've seen a catalogue / similar thing for hypercoils & their OBD springs had marginally more travel for the same rates as the eibach ones.
Eibach catalog here has block heights etc: https://eibach.com/us/rt-2-catalog-downloads.html IIRC i've seen a catalogue / similar thing for hypercoils & their OBD springs had marginally more travel for the same rates as the eibach ones.
I'm considering front spring rates in the 175 to 200 lbs/in range; rears in the 125 to 150 range. Static compresson
Is very roughly 5" or so, before compression travel. The other issue I'm struggling with is that I'm aiming for a nominal 14.5" front ride height with 1.5" up and down adjustment from the spring perch. To get all of those parameters I've got to choose spring length pretty closely. I'm trying to avoid making this an iterative process as that can become expensive. Things should be easier once I've gotten the shocks and can make accurate measurements.
#1299
NB base springs: 162 front, 118 rear
NB HARD S: 168 front, 130 rear
NB MSM: 215 front, 158 rear
Last edited by JoeTheZoe; 02-13-2018 at 09:47 AM. Reason: Added a line.