M. Schneider Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Recently received this JDM sold only Bilstein BTS 5056J kit from Japan. Several forum members here and myself had encouraged Bilstein USA to import this kit or offer a similar kit to NO avail. The kit was purchased in November 2008 and with that exchange rate puts the cost at approx $1,230.00 or so. Shipping was via UPS International 5 day service (56lbs) Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OBXTDSP Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 very nice suspension set up! are they lower than stock? bilstein are a quality suspension.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 are they lower than stock? The raised “character” ride height of the Outback is maintained with the Bilstein BTS5056 kit. In absolute terms, the ride height of the USA Outback XT is effected. ... IIRC the USA production of the XT model Outback is ever so slightly taller than the Rest of the World (ROW) Outback's, this exception will be lost. Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 maybe one day, when i have money to waste on my 3.0r ob sedan, ill get this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steph01 Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Nice stuff !!! let us know . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted May 8, 2009 Author Share Posted May 8, 2009 maybe one day, when i have money to waste on my 3.0r ob sedan, ill get this. Hey Bergan County aka whitetiger ~ (I grew up in the small town River Vale also in Bergen County.) A Subaru mechanic calling a suspension enhancement to the OB XT model as "when i have money to waste" is baffling to say the least. You need to drive the XT . . . . Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uberwagon Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 oh man......... I want to see some pics after install !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Hey Bergan County aka whitetiger ~ (I grew up there) A Subaru mechanic calling a suspension enhancement to the OB XT model as "when i have money to waste" is baffling to say the least. You need to drive the XT . . . . I say this because my mod money goes to my LGT. my ob 3.0r sedan is my daily driver, and though i would like ti improve susp feel on it, my money is better spent on the LGT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhBe1 Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Eagerly awaiting results. And whether new tophats are needed. 06LOB2.5i MT, JDMRSB, GYTTs, HPS, LGT Mufflers & Leather Wheel, SubiMomo Knob, Inalfa Moonroof, Clutch Switch Bypass, DeDRLd, DeChimed, & Straight Headrest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easton Posted May 8, 2009 Share Posted May 8, 2009 Nice work Mike! I can't believe it has taken this long to get! I sent an email to Bilstein USA last week pleading for them to import these. anxiously awaiting your review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted May 9, 2009 Author Share Posted May 9, 2009 Eagerly awaiting results. And whether new tophats are needed. New top hats for the rear is more than likely. The front top hats appear to fit just fine. I'll start working again in the morning, however one side of the Subi (front and rear) has been disassembled. I took a few pictures which I'll post ASAP. The new Bilstein rear spring is tapered at the top and this is where the OE rear top hat will Not fit. The OE rear top hat is to large in diameter to mate with the new tapered coil spring. Where do I fish for the elusive JDM top Hat??? (Here's a clue,,,, try Japan first - funny!) Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhBe1 Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 Huh. I was expecting front, not rear. 06LOB2.5i MT, JDMRSB, GYTTs, HPS, LGT Mufflers & Leather Wheel, SubiMomo Knob, Inalfa Moonroof, Clutch Switch Bypass, DeDRLd, DeChimed, & Straight Headrest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Update: It's confirmed that both front and rear USA top hats require there JDM counterparts. EDIT: 6.10.09 Having reached out to Bilstein Japan for the top hat details - I'm waiting. Otherwise it looks to be a straight forward suspension upgrade. Can't wait. Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I don't believe this. Post close up pics of the top of the struts/shocks. I can lookup the stock JDM Outback tophat part numbers and cross-reference them for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Unclemat, Believe it - I'd be more than happy to post a picture of the front USA OE strut (un assembled) and the new JDM Bilstein BTS 5056 front strut side by side. The appropreate top hat (if thats what there called in Japan?) is other than what is used here in the USA. As far as the rear spring the JDM Bilstein spring is tapered substantially at its top, as seen in the photos. (the beginning of this thread.) The USDM OE rear spring is the same diameter from bottom to top; not so with the JDM Bilstein BTS 5056 kit rear spring as delivered to me. Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I believe that. That means you need so called "JDM/SpecB" top hats I think I told you about. Easily available from any U.S. dealer. But I don't believe rears are different. Stock USDM and JDM rears are same across all models (part #s my differ, but they are the same). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 So I looked at the pic you e-mail me. Yes, you need Bilstein specific aka SpecB aka JDM top hats. Any dealer can provide them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Yes. Noted was the potential of JDM/SpecB top hats as a requirement, so not at all surprising. However the rear tapered coil spring top needs time to noodle. Go figure. Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Hmm, ok, I missed the tapered springs part. that's weird. I'll double check JDM part #s for you tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M. Schneider Posted May 12, 2009 Author Share Posted May 12, 2009 Danke Schon unclemat - appreciate the assist! Part number's would be a huge assit as I could then simply phone a local Subi parts dealership. Cheers, Mike Cheers, Mike |`94 E-Class Coupe |`98 Carrera 993 C2S |`14 Cayman S |`20 Outback Touring XT | All Debadged | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 FYI JDM parts are not available via U.S. dealers. You have to get them from Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 If rears are Japan only - yes. Fronts you can get in the USA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyncha00 Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Wow, I had given up hope for an OBXT suspension upgrade and was about to to sell my AP. I'm pulling for this to work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Ok, so I checked JDM parts. Indeed the rear RUBBER SEAT has different part # between JDM Outbacks and JDM Legacies. The part # is 20375AE011. It is JDM only part. The top hat itself (metal mount) is the same for both Outback and Legacy for either JDM or USDM, so you can resuse your stock ones. Bottom line is - you need to source two of these seats it seems for the rears. For the fronts, as it was mentioned previously you need the Bilstein specific top hats and dust caps - part # 20320AG01A and 20326AG000, respectively. (see, I am nice to Outback owners, out of pity for their horrendous suspension ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diggs753 Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 subscribed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.