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Have you been using the 34-000403 (147/94) insert or 34-001042 (148/112)? The compression appears to be the only difference.
Yes the compression is the only difference but my catalogue figures are slightly different than yours. 150/95 and 150/120. Need to be careful here not to get into a huge compression/rebound debate. I'm reasonable well informed but don't purport to be an 'expert' on suspension tuning.
I can tell you that I have used both options and both are a very noticeable improvement over the stock set up. The 150/95 is a step up in terms of stiffness over the OEM valving. I have used this with both std springs and upgraded spring 200 and 250 and it was a good match in all these instances. The 150/120 option is firmer again but not dramatically so. As a point of comparison I had Bilstein Poway tune my Escort coil over suspension which runs 160-400 progressive springs and that is approx 380/150 rebound/compression. The Escort struts are supplied as standard with 600/190 valving which in my opinion is way too aggressive for road use.
In terms of advice I'm tempted to say 150/95 with stock springs = sport. 150/95 with 200-250lb springs = fast road ... 150/120 with 200-250 springs is even faster road ... but life is not that simple. There are many other considerations ... ie swaybar size etc.
The 150/95 option with either stock or 200-250 springs is a nice upgrade. I've not tried the 150/120 with stock springs and instinctively would stick with the 150/95 for that application.
Thank you very much! In researching the two part numbers the information in non existent (I had to dig to find those numbers), and you appear to be the only person with real world experience. I don't want to go in the weeds about suspension tuning just clarifying between the two. Thanks again.
Thank you very much! In researching the two part numbers the information in non existent (I had to dig to find those numbers), and you appear to be the only person with real world experience. I don't want to go in the weeds about suspension tuning just clarifying between the two. Thanks again.
Inserts just picked up form the machine shop. Will finish the conversion over the weekend.
Just resurrecting this as I'm about to do this job and this is by far the best write up! But I have a question.
I have acquired a pair of the Sportwagon collars already. Do you know if your rather lovely looking collars are the same dimensions? Specifically the spacer above the cut dimension? If you don't know, would you be so kind as to confirm what yours are so I can measure off mine to ensure I get the right cut depth?
Hi. Always pleased to help and thank your for your kind words. Unfortunately I do not have a reference copy of the Sportwagen item. The cutting guide I produce is specific to the dimensions of the collar I supply. There is also a mechanism built in to the design of my collar which locates with a lip inside the OEM strut that ensures correct spacing. Quite a lot of thought went into it
The easier installation with leasss margin for error is why these have become a popular option for those tacking this project. If you cut the strut body too short wghou will not get enoght threads engaged with the Bilstein Cap. If you cut ti too long the insert will 'clonk'. Neither good.
You will however still be able to make it work with the SW collar. It is just a bet trickier to get the dimensions correct. The procedure I've seen used advocates the removal of the pressed on caps from the OEM strut housings which is bit of a pain and not necessary with my procedure but needed with SW in order to ascertain the correct cut point. There is a few mm latitude with both systems that is accommodated but the thread on the collars but you do want to get it right +/1 1 mm really.
If you pm me the vertical dimensions of the SW cap I could align with my drawings and calculate the cut point below the pressed on cap.
Just read back through this thread and realised that it relates to an early iteration of these collars. The latest version has slightly different dimensions to make installation even easier and is now supplied with an alignment guide which precisely defines the cut point and helps keep the cut straight
04-11-2017, 08:30 PM
... but life is not that simple. There are many other considerations ... ie swaybar size etc.
