The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread
#1801
Elite Member
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,760
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My billie build consists of:
NB B6 (Hard S) bilsteins from tirerack
Allstar threaded coil perches
QA1 450/300 7" springs
ISC extended tophats 1" front 1.5" rear
Torrington bearings from summit racing
Energy suspension spring isolaters
And this is how I secured the isolaters to the tophats:
Just a mockup, as I've still gotta fit them on the car without springs, ensure travel is good (and tires aren't contacting tub), cut bumpstops, trip coilover perches, repaint tophats, then final assembly.
Finally, I do seek some opinion. The ISC tophats, according to ISC documentation, should be installed directly onto the strut with no lower bushing. Seems like this would be NVH'y to me, and not allow the tophats to have any coaxial play to match the angel of the springs, so I've mocked them up using the lower bushings that came with the tophats and some OEM bushings on the top. Seems like it's going to work pretty well this way, any opinions? I already know these aren't the best tophats by any means, just looking to make the best out of what I have.
NB B6 (Hard S) bilsteins from tirerack
Allstar threaded coil perches
QA1 450/300 7" springs
ISC extended tophats 1" front 1.5" rear
Torrington bearings from summit racing
Energy suspension spring isolaters
And this is how I secured the isolaters to the tophats:
Just a mockup, as I've still gotta fit them on the car without springs, ensure travel is good (and tires aren't contacting tub), cut bumpstops, trip coilover perches, repaint tophats, then final assembly.
Finally, I do seek some opinion. The ISC tophats, according to ISC documentation, should be installed directly onto the strut with no lower bushing. Seems like this would be NVH'y to me, and not allow the tophats to have any coaxial play to match the angel of the springs, so I've mocked them up using the lower bushings that came with the tophats and some OEM bushings on the top. Seems like it's going to work pretty well this way, any opinions? I already know these aren't the best tophats by any means, just looking to make the best out of what I have.
Last edited by Fireindc; 02-19-2019 at 12:03 PM.
#1803
I'm starting to make a parts list to build a set of these for my 91 NA. As far as shock choices, if I were to buy new, what would be the best Bilstein option for a NA6? NA HD or NB b6 or NB b8. Looking for a pretty minimal drop 3/4" or so (roads are total **** here). Mostly fun street driven, few autox here and there. I have read a good amount of this thread and searched, but overwhelmedness comes on quick.
#1804
Elite Member
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,760
Total Cats: 631
Hey Sean. I read and re-read this entire thread before settling on my setup (two posts above). I have yet to install them, but it's probably a good starting point for your build. I went with the NB b6 struts due to their dampening curve and availability through tire rack at $100 ea. new. I went with extended tophats since I'm putting them on an NA, and I went with 450/300 rates as they are supposed to match the strut pretty well and be comfortable on the street. I too live in a place with very **** roads. I wont be able to install them until the spring but I'll report back then.
#1805
Elite Member
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Taos, New mexico
Posts: 6,760
Total Cats: 631
My next question is, do I just slam some bushings on there and call it a day, or do I drill out the hole in the tophat so that the rubber locating nipple on the lower bushing can slide in and center the shaft, similar to how the OEM tophats work. I'm leaning towards doing this already, but any input is welcome.
#1806
Hey Sean. I read and re-read this entire thread before settling on my setup (two posts above). I have yet to install them, but it's probably a good starting point for your build. I went with the NB b6 struts due to their dampening curve and availability through tire rack at $100 ea. new. I went with extended tophats since I'm putting them on an NA, and I went with 450/300 rates as they are supposed to match the strut pretty well and be comfortable on the street. I too live in a place with very **** roads. I wont be able to install them until the spring but I'll report back then.
#1807
I'm starting to make a parts list to build a set of these for my 91 NA. As far as shock choices, if I were to buy new, what would be the best Bilstein option for a NA6? NA HD or NB b6 or NB b8. Looking for a pretty minimal drop 3/4" or so (roads are total **** here). Mostly fun street driven, few autox here and there. I have read a good amount of this thread and searched, but overwhelmedness comes on quick.
Last edited by imperialgolem; 02-22-2019 at 03:35 AM. Reason: I made mistake
#1813
Ok, I’ll go with NB top hats, but I already have NA dampers. In the low-buck spirit of this thread, I’ll just work with those. Anyone have an opinion on the pros and cons of using the fancy purple FM top hats on the rear and FCM in the front vs. FCM at all four corners?
#1814
Ok, I’ll go with NB top hats, but I already have NA dampers. In the low-buck spirit of this thread, I’ll just work with those. Anyone have an opinion on the pros and cons of using the fancy purple FM top hats on the rear and FCM in the front vs. FCM at all four corners?
#1816
On the street or most tracks you'll never need them, I agree.
#1817
Getting ready to build a set of these for my '94 M-edition using MSM bilsteins that I have.
Looking for opinions as I am having a hard time deciding between 450/300 or 550/350 as it seems both are very common in this thread. I am also looking for opinions on which top hats are regarded as the best, and if 1.5" is necessary for the rear on NA, or if I can get a set that is 1" all around.
-MSM Bilsteins
-Allstar Sleeves/Collars
-Poly spring isolators
-Ridetech Delrin Spring Washers
-QA1 450/300 or 550/350
-Looking for opinions on what top hats to use.
Thanks for any help you guys can provide. After reading through these few threads over the past few days there is a ton of good information but I'm still not positive the best route to go.
Looking for opinions as I am having a hard time deciding between 450/300 or 550/350 as it seems both are very common in this thread. I am also looking for opinions on which top hats are regarded as the best, and if 1.5" is necessary for the rear on NA, or if I can get a set that is 1" all around.
-MSM Bilsteins
-Allstar Sleeves/Collars
-Poly spring isolators
-Ridetech Delrin Spring Washers
-QA1 450/300 or 550/350
-Looking for opinions on what top hats to use.
Thanks for any help you guys can provide. After reading through these few threads over the past few days there is a ton of good information but I'm still not positive the best route to go.
#1818
Getting ready to build a set of these for my '94 M-edition using MSM bilsteins that I have.
Looking for opinions as I am having a hard time deciding between 450/300 or 550/350 as it seems both are very common in this thread. I am also looking for opinions on which top hats are regarded as the best, and if 1.5" is necessary for the rear on NA, or if I can get a set that is 1" all around.
-MSM Bilsteins
-Allstar Sleeves/Collars
-Poly spring isolators
-Ridetech Delrin Spring Washers
-QA1 450/300 or 550/350
-Looking for opinions on what top hats to use.
Thanks for any help you guys can provide. After reading through these few threads over the past few days there is a ton of good information but I'm still not positive the best route to go.
Looking for opinions as I am having a hard time deciding between 450/300 or 550/350 as it seems both are very common in this thread. I am also looking for opinions on which top hats are regarded as the best, and if 1.5" is necessary for the rear on NA, or if I can get a set that is 1" all around.
-MSM Bilsteins
-Allstar Sleeves/Collars
-Poly spring isolators
-Ridetech Delrin Spring Washers
-QA1 450/300 or 550/350
-Looking for opinions on what top hats to use.
Thanks for any help you guys can provide. After reading through these few threads over the past few days there is a ton of good information but I'm still not positive the best route to go.
On mine, I used 550/350 (or 550/400, it’s been 4 years and I sourced springs from Summit brand) and for top hats I used the TwoSix Motorsports here: Shock Mounts - 1” and liked them.