What Suspension Upgrade for AP2
#11
Registered User
I know there's been endless discussion on Bilstein vs KW vs Ohlins vs others. Good to hear your happy with Bilstein. Suspension is my next purchase and I'm trying to decide how to go. I was pretty set on Ohlins but Bilstein would definitely save some cash and may be just as good for my needs. I don't daily it. Almost exclusively used for autocross, rare spirited drives, occasional track day.
Did you install the B16's yourself? How was the install? I've already stripped my trunk for weight so I have easy access to my rear struts.
Did you install the B16's yourself? How was the install? I've already stripped my trunk for weight so I have easy access to my rear struts.
The good thing about the B16 is that you can adjust the damping until you feel fine. I am on click 4 (Soft side) from 9 possible.
Get a allignement and "Clock the bushings" afterwards ASAP.
Only drawback is that it looks akward, the car sits much higher on the front when installed the B16 with max. height adjusted. But hey, you can adjust it...
The following 2 users liked this post by Mr.Matchbox:
cosmomiller (08-17-2024),
rsq2_15 (08-17-2024)
#12
Install was super easy. Dont let anybody tell you that you have to remove the fuel pipe, with the right combination of socket and extension you can remove the nuts wich hold the rear drive side strut. Just bend the rubber cover away with the ratchet. See picture. You need a Spring compressor to remove the top hats and reuse them, but you dont need to much pressure on the springs. Feeld super safe.
The good thing about the B16 is that you can adjust the damping until you feel fine. I am on click 4 (Soft side) from 9 possible.
Get a allignement and "Clock the bushings" afterwards ASAP.
Only drawback is that it looks akward, the car sits much higher on the front when installed the B16 with max. height adjusted. But hey, you can adjust it...
The good thing about the B16 is that you can adjust the damping until you feel fine. I am on click 4 (Soft side) from 9 possible.
Get a allignement and "Clock the bushings" afterwards ASAP.
Only drawback is that it looks akward, the car sits much higher on the front when installed the B16 with max. height adjusted. But hey, you can adjust it...
#13
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Foothills East of Sacramento
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Do you have a picture of how the car sits? If you lowered your front would it be just like stock? I believe I understand the B16s will result in an inch lower without any intentional lowering adjustment.
#14
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Illnoise. WAY downtown, jerky.
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You have to loosen up all the pivoting bushing bolts and the re-tighten them with the car sitting at its new ride height.
#15
Registered User
Problem is, living in Germany, i have to obey our traffic laws and rules. I am only allowed to adjust the height as given by Bilsten in the instructions and the german TUV approval.
But, yes, i could lower the front .
The following users liked this post:
cosmomiller (08-20-2024)
#16
FYI, spring compressor not required for our stock shocks.
When tophat nuts reach last thread, there is a very slight amount of spring compression remaining. Very slight. No kick or jump, just a bit of pressure on last thread.
You can also install stock springs without spring compressor. Just put body weight on top hat as you get nuts started.
Its really a two person job, simply bc need more than two hands. But CAN be done alone, just frustrating and time consuming and requires a bit of strength.
When tophat nuts reach last thread, there is a very slight amount of spring compression remaining. Very slight. No kick or jump, just a bit of pressure on last thread.
You can also install stock springs without spring compressor. Just put body weight on top hat as you get nuts started.
Its really a two person job, simply bc need more than two hands. But CAN be done alone, just frustrating and time consuming and requires a bit of strength.
The following 2 users liked this post by Car Analogy:
Mr.Matchbox (08-19-2024),
noodels (08-19-2024)
#17
Regarding multiple adjustable suspension, unless you are suspension tuning expert or willing to invest time and effort to become one, its far more likely you'll wind up with suspension that performs much worse than simpler suspension with minimal adjustments (and worse than stock).
Plus you'll be driving on crappy suspension until you figure it all out.
More adjustments just means more ways to get it all wrong.
Plus you'll be driving on crappy suspension until you figure it all out.
More adjustments just means more ways to get it all wrong.
The following 4 users liked this post by Car Analogy:
#18
Registered User
FYI, spring compressor not required for our stock shocks.
When tophat nuts reach last thread, there is a very slight amount of spring compression remaining. Very slight. No kick or jump, just a bit of pressure on last thread.
You can also install stock springs without spring compressor. Just put body weight on top hat as you get nuts started.
Its really a two person job, simply bc need more than two hands. But CAN be done alone, just frustrating and time consuming and requires a bit of strength.
When tophat nuts reach last thread, there is a very slight amount of spring compression remaining. Very slight. No kick or jump, just a bit of pressure on last thread.
You can also install stock springs without spring compressor. Just put body weight on top hat as you get nuts started.
Its really a two person job, simply bc need more than two hands. But CAN be done alone, just frustrating and time consuming and requires a bit of strength.
#19
Registered User
Regarding multiple adjustable suspension, unless you are suspension tuning expert or willing to invest time and effort to become one, its far more likely you'll wind up with suspension that performs much worse than simpler suspension with minimal adjustments (and worse than stock).
Plus you'll be driving on crappy suspension until you figure it all out.
More adjustments just means more ways to get it all wrong.
Plus you'll be driving on crappy suspension until you figure it all out.
More adjustments just means more ways to get it all wrong.
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