The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread
#461
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So, you allstar sleeve fanboyz are making me consider it worth the additional cost for the added adjustability with the sleeve a little lower.
-$58 for the 4 perches! More than the $43 ebay kits right there :(
-$64 for the sleeves.
So, $121 in sleeves and perches.
$15 for two sets of spring isolaters (total 4) (Energy Suspension 9-6103R)
$52 for 4 thrust bearings.
Plan is to run 500-550/325-350. QA1 or Summit both have me at about $50-60 a spring. So, unless someone says "HEY SCHUYLER BUY MY SPRINGS", Let's say $200 for new springs.
$21 for 4 Energy Suspension Bump Stops 7-6104G
So we're at $409 before shocks are even factored in.
Though, I have seen somewhere in here (don't remember if it was someone knowledgeable or not) suggesting that spring isolators were enough and thrust bearings are not necessary. That, combined with buying used springs, would cut down on costs by $100 or more.
Planning to just buy new bilsteins, and the b6 HD seems to be the best option.
Car will be daily driven for 2 or 3 HPDEs a year, and a handful of autocross just for lols.
Questions/Comments/Suggestions appreciated.
-$58 for the 4 perches! More than the $43 ebay kits right there :(
-$64 for the sleeves.
So, $121 in sleeves and perches.
$15 for two sets of spring isolaters (total 4) (Energy Suspension 9-6103R)
$52 for 4 thrust bearings.
Plan is to run 500-550/325-350. QA1 or Summit both have me at about $50-60 a spring. So, unless someone says "HEY SCHUYLER BUY MY SPRINGS", Let's say $200 for new springs.
$21 for 4 Energy Suspension Bump Stops 7-6104G
So we're at $409 before shocks are even factored in.
Though, I have seen somewhere in here (don't remember if it was someone knowledgeable or not) suggesting that spring isolators were enough and thrust bearings are not necessary. That, combined with buying used springs, would cut down on costs by $100 or more.
Planning to just buy new bilsteins, and the b6 HD seems to be the best option.
Car will be daily driven for 2 or 3 HPDEs a year, and a handful of autocross just for lols.
Questions/Comments/Suggestions appreciated.
(I have a thread in the FS section)
#462
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
So, you allstar sleeve fanboyz are making me consider it worth the additional cost for the added adjustability with the sleeve a little lower.
-$58 for the 4 perches! More than the $43 ebay kits right there :(
-$64 for the sleeves.
So, $121 in sleeves and perches.
$15 for two sets of spring isolaters (total 4) (Energy Suspension 9-6103R)
$52 for 4 thrust bearings.
Plan is to run 500-550/325-350. QA1 or Summit both have me at about $50-60 a spring. So, unless someone says "HEY SCHUYLER BUY MY SPRINGS", Let's say $200 for new springs.
$21 for 4 Energy Suspension Bump Stops 7-6104G
So we're at $409 before shocks are even factored in.
Though, I have seen somewhere in here (don't remember if it was someone knowledgeable or not) suggesting that spring isolators were enough and thrust bearings are not necessary. That, combined with buying used springs, would cut down on costs by $100 or more.
Planning to just buy new bilsteins, and the b6 HD seems to be the best option.
Car will be daily driven for 2 or 3 HPDEs a year, and a handful of autocross just for lols.
Questions/Comments/Suggestions appreciated.
-$58 for the 4 perches! More than the $43 ebay kits right there :(
-$64 for the sleeves.
So, $121 in sleeves and perches.
$15 for two sets of spring isolaters (total 4) (Energy Suspension 9-6103R)
$52 for 4 thrust bearings.
Plan is to run 500-550/325-350. QA1 or Summit both have me at about $50-60 a spring. So, unless someone says "HEY SCHUYLER BUY MY SPRINGS", Let's say $200 for new springs.
$21 for 4 Energy Suspension Bump Stops 7-6104G
So we're at $409 before shocks are even factored in.
Though, I have seen somewhere in here (don't remember if it was someone knowledgeable or not) suggesting that spring isolators were enough and thrust bearings are not necessary. That, combined with buying used springs, would cut down on costs by $100 or more.
Planning to just buy new bilsteins, and the b6 HD seems to be the best option.
Car will be daily driven for 2 or 3 HPDEs a year, and a handful of autocross just for lols.
Questions/Comments/Suggestions appreciated.
#465
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Oh yeah, and i got the rest of my ****.
Hyperco goodies by concealer404, on Flickr
Poor man's Xidas by concealer404, on Flickr
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/137117-better-bilstein-ebay-coilover-thread-16730055749_cba10c6a5d_c.jpg?dateline=1428068700)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/137118-better-bilstein-ebay-coilover-thread-16728567788_dfe9e7f217_c.jpg?dateline=1428068700)
#469
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posts: 659
Total Cats: -15
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Uh, my point is that you admonished him that you only need an isolator on one end of each spring. Since there are 4 springs, that leads a person to believe you were admonishing him to not buy more than 4 isolators. Which he already hadn't planned to do, given his "total 4" comment.
#470
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Uh, my point is that you admonished him that you only need an isolator on one end of each spring. Since there are 4 springs, that leads a person to believe you were admonishing him to not buy more than 4 isolators. Which he already hadn't planned to do, given his "total 4" comment.
#471
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Having them myself, I would not get the 104G bumpstops. They are bump STOPS and have little give to them. I cut mine down a bit but I still think they are excessive. If I take them apart anytime soon, I'm going with the Honda bumpstops people keep bringing up.
Why do you need spring isolators and thrust bearings? If you're that worried about the budget, go without them. I paid for, and still see QA1 high travel springs on Summit for $37.
If you're buying everything brand new and insisting on expensive details like thrust bearings, a lot of the cost effectiveness goes away. The money would probably be better spent on a revalve, tender/helper springs, or just getting a more expensive shock to start with.
Why do you need spring isolators and thrust bearings? If you're that worried about the budget, go without them. I paid for, and still see QA1 high travel springs on Summit for $37.
If you're buying everything brand new and insisting on expensive details like thrust bearings, a lot of the cost effectiveness goes away. The money would probably be better spent on a revalve, tender/helper springs, or just getting a more expensive shock to start with.
#475
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
PM Sent.
I'll look for an alternative to the bumpstops. I have a friend that may be helping me with the shocks, only reason I'm shopping new there.
They changed the part number of the QA1s, but I have found the new part number on Summit as you've described. Thanks.
More expensive shock being? Cheapest price I've seen (everyday regular for sale price) is $112 a shock for the bilsteins. So $450 new. Only next step up I've had anyone tell me to consider is the Tein Flex at $1020.
Having them myself, I would not get the 104G bumpstops. They are bump STOPS and have little give to them. I cut mine down a bit but I still think they are excessive. If I take them apart anytime soon, I'm going with the Honda bumpstops people keep bringing up.
Why do you need spring isolators and thrust bearings? If you're that worried about the budget, go without them. I paid for, and still see QA1 high travel springs on Summit for $37.
If you're buying everything brand new and insisting on expensive details like thrust bearings, a lot of the cost effectiveness goes away. The money would probably be better spent on a revalve, tender/helper springs, or just getting a more expensive shock to start with.
Why do you need spring isolators and thrust bearings? If you're that worried about the budget, go without them. I paid for, and still see QA1 high travel springs on Summit for $37.
If you're buying everything brand new and insisting on expensive details like thrust bearings, a lot of the cost effectiveness goes away. The money would probably be better spent on a revalve, tender/helper springs, or just getting a more expensive shock to start with.
They changed the part number of the QA1s, but I have found the new part number on Summit as you've described. Thanks.
More expensive shock being? Cheapest price I've seen (everyday regular for sale price) is $112 a shock for the bilsteins. So $450 new. Only next step up I've had anyone tell me to consider is the Tein Flex at $1020.
#476
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
A lot of literature refers to NB Hard-S and MSM Bilsteins as being best bang for buck. However, I'm having a hell of a time finding anything decent locally, not to mention that I could have new aftermarket Bilstein Sport's (BE5-6550/6551) for a bit more.
My goals are lowered ride height, improved handling, and ride quality in that order. Is it worth waiting to find a set of Hard-S/MSM's, or should I just go for new? My plan is to use NB top hats up front and ISC 1.5's in the rear, DIY ghettocat bumpstops, Allstar sleeves, and probably 500f/375r. This will be for a weekend driven NA with the occassional AutoX and track day in between.
My goals are lowered ride height, improved handling, and ride quality in that order. Is it worth waiting to find a set of Hard-S/MSM's, or should I just go for new? My plan is to use NB top hats up front and ISC 1.5's in the rear, DIY ghettocat bumpstops, Allstar sleeves, and probably 500f/375r. This will be for a weekend driven NA with the occassional AutoX and track day in between.
#479
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Found a set of Hard-S locally but the seller isn't willing to move much on price. Can't justify spending close to $300 for a set of used factory shocks, and now I'm reading that I I'll be riding on the bump stops with my desired ride height, which is 1 finger gap or less (12" from the hub?)
Now I'm considering just going for a set of Tein Flex's to save myself the headache. It'll practically be the same price wise anyways since I plan to buy everything new.
Now I'm considering just going for a set of Tein Flex's to save myself the headache. It'll practically be the same price wise anyways since I plan to buy everything new.