time666

Hi all

I was looking to replace my stock springs with new Eibach progressive lowering springs for my car, however as the cars done 76k, and was thinking that by fitting lowering springs to a stock strut, may cause a bit of stress and wear out as they have already covered 76k.

The labour would be same for either replacing the springs to lower the car, or do both springs + struts all round.

seeing they would be due in the not too distant future, I want to change the shocks too with springs. I already have the eibach lowering springs, can anyone confirm that these would fit directly onto the Bilstein HD B6 font strut + HD B6 rear shocks?

Or recomend an alternative that I could use with the Eibach springs already have purchased.

Any help on the above and where would be good to buy in the uk would be much appreciated.

Cheers in advanced
(sorry I know I should search but interested in your opinions for my car...)
Tim

jimq

rears are a different number depending on year. Up to early 91 they were one size and then changed over.

time666

Thanks.

I see that the rear strut mounts changed after 91 model and shock absorber was increased in length. i am ok with that.

I can see which model of Bilstein to suit the year of being a 1990 requires the earlier model of shorter rear shock. The problem I have is Eibach lowering springs and with other makes only show one model number of lowering spring for yr 89-94 i.e. has the same part number E7208-140 which covers the carerra 2 89-93?

Also seems the same with other manufacturers lowering springs too? So I am was confused with the spring being ok for both designs of rear shock which changed in late 12/90 + cars?

The H+R lowering springs (29813) indicated as being fine for Carrera 2/4 Yr: 89>93 in adverts too?

This is whats getting me muddled up. I was going to go with Bilstein B6 damper and rear shocks but assume that these cannot be used with lowering springs and the B8 sprint dampers should be used instead (according to another advert online - the shortned high performance shock absorber for lowered cars)

Sorry to go on, but more info hopefully might help with any answers to help me sort this one before spending!

Thanks again

mrmandmman

Springs don't change with the rear strut mount change. You just need to find the bilsteins that work with your year. What year is your car? A lot of people like the bilstein HDs (myself included).

I think these are correct:

05/89 > 12/90 Bilstein HD part number: F4-B46-1735
01/91 > 05/94 Bilstein HD part number: F4-B46-1547

jimq

my car is a9/90 and has the newer
style.
Look at these pictures the red is old the white is new. Easiest way to tell what you have

time666

Thanks mrmandmman & jimq for your replies & pics!!

Think I have this sorted now, yes springs are same for all years, just rear Bilstein B6 shocks change for the rears after 90-93 cars. As my car is a coupe 89-90 model, i have the old type fitted.

I contacted bilstein technical dept UK today and soem nice chap went through the different set up types and also confirmed good part numbers for the B6 Sport struts + rear shocks which i need to now buy.

He said they would not advise fitting lowering springs to any stock strut or shock having already covered 70k + as this would shorten the life pretty quickly (stress), and given changing the springs is similar labour time to changing the full suspension I am going to change both springs + shocks all around. They'd need changing anyway in the not too distant future.

Bilstein said the fast road set up with these shocks would be a big improvement over the stock shocks, complemented with the eibach lowering progressive springs would be a good way to go, but strongly suggested a proper suspension geo with laser alignment afterwards would def be required. (specialist not just your average wheel alignment tyre garage)

I did not want to go with coil overs type, due to cost and I dont want the mither of playing around with them all the time because I know I would! Also as not planning to do any track day stuff, I am going for a fast road set up with out sacrificing comfort. Apparently track set up is great for the track for a nightmare for general normal day to day driving, and I dont want it to be harsh when going ot for a long drive / spirited one. Probably over a bit kill for what i'm after.

FL = Bilstein B6 Sport VE3-5277
FR = Bilstein B6 Sport VE3-5278
Rear=Bilstein F4-B46/1735 (89-90model only)

Also talked to Eibach uk who actually recomend the the Bilstein shocks with their coil springs (was happy to hear that) as they dont make shocks themselves for the 964? (only full coil over kits) so he gave me same bilstein part numbers too which he had to hand, so this has given me confidence it should be a good set up for how i use my car.

thanks for the help above, much appreciated.
tim

nidon

Tim, just for info I have eibachs and the same bilstein shock you list, ride is fine and ride height looks nice

time666

hi nidon, do you have any pics of your car with this set up mate? Would love to take a look.

Nice to know its worked out good for you. Was it noticeable when you fittied them, i.e. ride a little harder, and did the car seem more responsive at all?

nidon

Hi Tim,
Will try and post some up the weekend.
As for the difference thats hard to say as my original shocks were totally gone, fronts would push down with one finger and not return. Rears had about 10 mm of free play before doing anything.I am happy with the stance and the ride , it was bad before with no damping !! especially as the roads are quite poor around my way. Uable to comment on how well it would have been with H&R as these do seem to be the more popular choice...but then needs must as cost was a factor

I decided to change the springs as was replacing shocks anyway, whilst trying to decide between H&R , eibach etc, friend offered me some brand new eibach sand front struts for half price so decision was made.
will see what I can do with piccies
Avatar is with current set up
Nige

Unkle

You could have a look at this thread. I also spoke to Nidon, and went with the Eibach and Bilstein

https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...cifically.html

Willie P

Hey, late to the posting here:

But I used Eibach lowering springs with my stock struts/shocks and drove it that way for well over a year (daily) with no adverse affects (damage) that I could see.

In terms of ride quality, I thought it offered a great balance of less body roll but with a nice ride for bumpy country roads and city streets - only a MINOR "sea-saw" effect on the biggest bumps one might encounter. wp

Greg964

My car has Eibach/Bilstein setup you are considering

SuperUser

Hey Greg,

Is your car put away for the winter? I would love to get a ride in it to see how it feels.

time666

Hi and thanks for your replies + pics
Appreciate your time. I’m thinking it should look pretty good too fitted with this combo. I did look into the H+R springs and the data provided on the link kindly provided by unkle (cheers) and they look too linear for my liking, not sure I would like the aggressive spring rate, that’s why I’m not going with them to be honest.

As the Eibach springs show a good progressive spring rate which will ramp up to the same spring rate as the H+R rate anyway so I hoping this will complement the set up nicely and achieve a ride and perform when pushed! (In theory anyway)

I was thinking that static; the car should have a lower stance than if fitted with the H+R springs as they are slightly softer early on in the travel?

Maybe the standard stuts would be ok with the lowered springs, but I liking spending on my new baby at the moment, so better get this done before I need a clutch / servicing / other stuff i’ve not accounted for yet!!

Anyway I thought I’d attached some pics of my new toy so you can see later what my car looks like now. (My drive has a slight incline) And check my clean paintwork....

SuperUser

time666,

Can you please post some interior shots!