cpdjfd107

I know there are a ton of posts on this and I have searched but haven't found what I'm looking for so here goes.......I have a 96 c4 cab with factory suspension, Monroe shocks, factory ride height. I just want to replace the shocks and go with Bilstein HD's, I dont want to lower the car much as the roads in New England and especially the potholes are known to swallow up cars from time to time, If I go with the Special Bilstein HD from Gert at carnewal, it says they may loweer it slightly because of the extra threading in the shock, that woud be fine as long as it is only slightly lower, question is do I need to replace my springs, or would I be fine with my factory springs, the car is only used for street use, no track. Thanks again guys.

Greg964

I would recommend the Koni adjustable shocks. I have them with M030 lowering springs but they will work with the stock springs. If you are worried about ride quality they are a good choice.

cpdjfd107

I'll have to look into the Koni's, how are they on price the bilstein HD seemed to be a pretty good bargain

Dr. No

Send Gert an email and ask him. He's very responsive. I believe they will work with the stock springs however. The purpose of the extra threads in my understanding is to allow more lowering.

VNTGSPD

I agree. The extra threads are to allow for even more lowering, however you should be able to set it at the factory USA height.

Also, I haven't tried the Koni's on my 993 but have them on my racecar and have used them for many years. I feel they are stiffer than the Bilsteins and may not be as good for a street car where comfort is a high priority. The HDs do a great job of controlling the body motions yet still maintaining great compiance over large and/or high speed bumps.

Either is way better than old Monroe's.

nile13

Konis are less expensive than Bilsteins and are adjustable for rebound stiffness.

Koni in my experience do not last as long, but both Konis and Bilsteins come with lifetime warranty.

CAHRERA

The Bilstein HDs from Gert have the extra thread so you can basically set your car to any ride height you want. I purchased my HDs here in the US so I had to buy the lowering collars to get the lower ride height. I believe the US HDs now come with the extra thread so you don't need the lowering collars. But if you don't plan on lowering your car then it shouldn't matter. Viper Bob should still be able to bring them in.

pewter82

So you can lower the ride height of the car without ROW springs???. I have 030 sport springs for USA, but I thought I had to go with ROW springs to lower the ride height.

jason

CAHRERA

You might......I changed my US M030 to the ROW M030 springs when I did my suspension upgrade. The only thing I noticed between the US and ROW springs is the ROW springs were wound tighter. If I recall they weren't shorter. You'll have to do a search I think there's a side by side picture of the 2 springs. The H&R and EiBach springs are definitely shorter than the ROW M030

mike cap

Chris,

My first go around with replacing the factory shocks was using the Bilstein HD's (from Gert) and not changing the springs. Big mistake. I thought I could lower the car 'just a bit'. Ride was crap with factory springs and ride height change was unnoticeable.

The hands-down best option is the factory M030 ROW springs and Bilstein HD's. If you took a poll here for street only use, that's what you'd come up with. Ride and handling are great, cosmetics (25 mm or 1" lower) are 100% improved. Ask Gert about this and he will agree I'm sure.

I have had this set-up for five years in Upstate NY and no clearance issues. Add a FPB from Gert as well. You'll just need to pay attention when parking up to a curb. That's the only time I have touched the FPB.

nile13

So, what is the difference between RoW and US M030s? This table shows 30mm difference between the springs, which is huge: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsc...uspension.html

FisterD

Where have you been, Scott?
All HDs have the extra thread, now.

cpdjfd107

Darin, get off rennlist and make some stage III's, no break for you, haha, J-K, looking forward to dealing with you soon, Chris Desrochers

CAHRERA

Hey Darin, Been busy with work and kids. I haven't been on the forum much.
I wanted to come out and visit you and Mark but my weekends are tied up with Basketball and soccer games or working at PH. I wanted to checkout your new T-Shirts. Are you guys coming out to the show on June 6th? If so bring the T-Shirts.

Kika

shox.com has the lowest prices on bilstein HDs, at least in the US. 1199 for the set of 4. they are located pretty close the Bilstein too, so they can get inventory relatively rapidly.