Suspension Upgrade
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: New England
I talked to Gert about the US warranty thing vs European warranty thing...First, Gert says the HDs he sells are the same as those sold here in the US; I have heard from someone that distributes them here in the US, that they are not the same...he warrants them for 2 years, if there is a problem during that time, he sends you a new shock. For the HDs purchased here in the US, Bilstein extends an "unlimited" life time warranty...you send Bilstein the faulty shock and Bilstein rebuilds it for $55.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 716
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria, VA
Having run down this rabbit hole trying to decide what to do in the past few months myself, this is what I understood. Of course, some of my terminology may be off but . . .
- You can get by without new sway bars and links, but it limits how much lowering you can do. For example, PSS-9s will support going to RS height, but standard bars will not. I believe it pertains to how the bars are designed and positioned around the other parts of the suspension. Different links may give you some more flexibility but to go low you need to change the bars. This is not a PSS-9 unique issue.
- Just as better coil overs improve handling, obviously better sway bars will help flatten during cornering. The nice thing about upgrading all at once is that you don't have to pay for alignment and corner balancing multiple times. In my area that runs $300+ just for those two items.
- Used bars (TRG, RS, Turbo, M030, etc.) are available, sometimes at greatly reduced cost. Rennlist, eBay, Hershey, Pomona, PCA, you know.
Yes, that was the eBay listing I meant and based on earlier reports I'd be cautious. Still, I know there are some currently on PCA for less than Eurotoyz's $2250 anyway. Pls, send a PM if you want to find those.
Not trying to talk you into anything but the reason I went with PSS-9s after a lot of research was that NO ONE I could find upgraded from PSS-9s unless they were really focusing their setup on track events. Some of those folks are going to Motons, JRZ, etc.
- You can get by without new sway bars and links, but it limits how much lowering you can do. For example, PSS-9s will support going to RS height, but standard bars will not. I believe it pertains to how the bars are designed and positioned around the other parts of the suspension. Different links may give you some more flexibility but to go low you need to change the bars. This is not a PSS-9 unique issue.
- Just as better coil overs improve handling, obviously better sway bars will help flatten during cornering. The nice thing about upgrading all at once is that you don't have to pay for alignment and corner balancing multiple times. In my area that runs $300+ just for those two items.
- Used bars (TRG, RS, Turbo, M030, etc.) are available, sometimes at greatly reduced cost. Rennlist, eBay, Hershey, Pomona, PCA, you know.
Yes, that was the eBay listing I meant and based on earlier reports I'd be cautious. Still, I know there are some currently on PCA for less than Eurotoyz's $2250 anyway. Pls, send a PM if you want to find those.
Not trying to talk you into anything but the reason I went with PSS-9s after a lot of research was that NO ONE I could find upgraded from PSS-9s unless they were really focusing their setup on track events. Some of those folks are going to Motons, JRZ, etc.
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 856
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Well I had no idea (considering how much has already been discussed in previous threads) that this would goto 3 pages. I really appreciate all the help guys - I have lots to think about. Thanks again for all the input.
Luke
Luke
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 3
From: Yorkville IL
If anyone is interested, I am posting my used (35K mile) set of US spec M030 swaybars, springs, shocks for sale in the Rennlist classifieds for $250 plus shipping from Illinois. (left over parts from my PSS9 and TRG swaybars install)
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 22
From: Moraga, California
Luke -
This was my thinking when I went through this exercise 6 months ago. For $2 -300 more I got a fully adjustable suspension. The HDs are more limited in ride height adjustment. I also bought used Euro Turbo sway bars (slightly larger in the rear and way cheaper than adjustable).
My thinking was that with a total of 4 days experience on the track, the car is much better than I. When I get better I have more options with the Pss9. I can adjust the shocks as I like and install RS or TRG adjustable sways later without having to realign the car. Going with the HD/ROW setup is probably the right choice for a car driven 99% on the street simply because Viken is rarely wrong, but that was my train of thought in second guessing him.
Greg H.
PS. I believe the ride of the PSS9 is more harsh than the ROW, but I've gotten used to it.
This was my thinking when I went through this exercise 6 months ago. For $2 -300 more I got a fully adjustable suspension. The HDs are more limited in ride height adjustment. I also bought used Euro Turbo sway bars (slightly larger in the rear and way cheaper than adjustable).
My thinking was that with a total of 4 days experience on the track, the car is much better than I. When I get better I have more options with the Pss9. I can adjust the shocks as I like and install RS or TRG adjustable sways later without having to realign the car. Going with the HD/ROW setup is probably the right choice for a car driven 99% on the street simply because Viken is rarely wrong, but that was my train of thought in second guessing him.
Greg H.
PS. I believe the ride of the PSS9 is more harsh than the ROW, but I've gotten used to it.