specbeed Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 I've got a blown left front bilstein on my 07 Spec.B. Just curious if anybody has any experience with the Bilstein HD's and how they compare to the stock Bilsteins? I really like the ride and don't really want to change it, but at the same time I can get all 4 HD's for the same price as a pair of the OEM Bilstein fronts. Just out of curiousity, what springs are you running? I swapped out my OEM bilsteins for HDs almost a year ago. OEMs were clunking horrendously, i think because of premature wear from aggressive spring rates of JDM Pinks. HDs feel tighter, although the OEMs were probably too worn from the pinks, so i don't know if the difference was just because i had new struts. My FR HD is starting to clunk now. I'm thinking of sending in my old OEM bilsteins for rebuild and giving them the pink springs parts number and spring rate to see if they can make a better spring-dampener matchup. Anyone else with OEM/HD with JDM pinks get clunking issues? Anyway, i think you'll be plenty happy with the HDs. Not harsh at all and superb control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJS Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 I'm using stock springs, and would like to keep it that way as this car is driven year-round through Winnipeg winters. One new question, is it possible to use Koni inserts with the stock Bilstein strut housings and Spec B mounts? Or would I have to find a set of LGT struts and mounts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 I'm using stock springs, and would like to keep it that way as this car is driven year-round through Winnipeg winters. One new question, is it possible to use Koni inserts with the stock Bilstein strut housings and Spec B mounts? Or would I have to find a set of LGT struts and mounts? Need to find a set of stock LGT strut bodies (fronts) and some washers and conical washers to use the SpecB mounts (fronts). -mike http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpghttp://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/141039922.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://upload.pbase.com/image/137566671.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. AIM: AZP Installs | E-mail: paisan@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impatient Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 To the OP, if you want to see the quantifiable difference, see this thread: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2008-spec-b-bilstein-vs-bilstein-hd-damping-data-bilstein-165041.html I don't know how to interpret these numbers (first post), but it looks like HD's are valved significantly harder (stiffer, slower, more damped, whatever). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradyCat Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Stick with oem specB Bilsteins, I think you'll find the HD's a little too harsh for the roads in our area. I've used both and went back to oem after trying HD's for a couple months. I had one of my oem Bilsteins rebuilt also, the process takes at around 4-5 weeks (you'll have to ship them down to California) and costs close to $200 depending on the nature of the work, after shipping is factored in. 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 2009 Spec.B SWP Stg 2+ Airboy tuned 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 5.7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drogos Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 What's your experience with rebuild Bilsteins? These are perfect on the street IMO but little to soft on the track. Everyone is saying that HDs are to harsh and looking at specs from Bilsteins, no doubt they have to be harsh. There is huge gap in dampening specs between these two and there seems to be nothing in between. Nothing wrong with my stocks but at 80k rebuilding can't hurt and if they could change dampening to a little stiffer yet liveable setup ...that might actually be a prefered option for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJS Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 Decisions are made....mostly. I'm going with Koni's all around, with LGT mounts. But now I'm pondering springs. Sticking with the stock specB springs and LGT mounts, I'll get roughly a 3/8" drop in the front, which would even out the wheel gaps nicely without sacrificing suspension travel or winter drivability. But I'm also pondering Epic springs. 1" drop in front doesn't sound so bad, but when you factor in the additional 3/8" from changing mounts, that's more of a drop than I want, and the ride will firm up significantly. Anybody care to weigh in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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