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Joined: Dec 2002
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So Demon ... how does the car ride with the bilsteins? I've heard the BAT kit rides pretty good, which is important here in SE MI where the roads are decorated with craters and potholes 
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,037
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by akrump47:
I've heard the BAT kit rides pretty good, which is important here in SE MI where the roads are decorated with craters and potholes
It does ride pretty good, although it's still rather stiff. I paired mine with a less aggressive tire (Yoko Avid V4) than the KDWs, so I think the reduced sidewall stiffness takes the edge off. Still, I feel most of the road contours and repairs (filled in cracks, expansion joints, etc.) through the seat, and I really really appreciate a freshly paved road. 
"Think of it, if you like, as a librarian with a G-string under the tweed." Clarkson on the Mondeo.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 217
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Posts: 217 |
Demon,
When you say more aggressively valved, can you comment on differences in small impact harshness between the two struts? On my stang, I've got 03 Cobra (Bilstein) struts up front and Bullitt (Tokico) shocks out back. When I run over small bumps, expansion strips, etc., the digressive valving in the Bilsteins really takes alot of the harshness out compared to the Tokicos out back.
My BAT suspension just seems "stiffer" hitting small stuff like that. Just enough to make wonder about the Sprintlines.
I'm quite happy with the BAT kit as far as reduction of nose dive and cornering flatness but once I got the Bils on the Mustang, I'm wondering what I'm missing out on the Contour.
Thanks,
George Hodge
New: Volvo S60R
Old:2000 SVT Silver Frost 1188/2150
DMD, 75mm Pro-M, HPP rear strut tower bar
Aussie 24mm sway bar (with boxed in subframe)
BAT European Handling Kit, Brullen Y-pipe
Performance Ford spherical bearing end links
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,602
Hard-core CEG'er
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You must realize that Bilstein makes several lines/levels of struts. Sprintline's are the highest performance units (sans race only) so one should not try to compare them to any other line made by Bilstein. They definitely give up some ride quality verses stock for more aggressive valving and significantly better handling. This is also why I paired them with the progressive, mild drop BAT springs instead of H&R's (which have twice the drop and even less road "manners") However I have not found them bone jarring & you do get outstanding road feel. (what "non-drivers"   call being able to feel road transitions and grade changes - it's definitely not a SOFA on wheels)
2000 SVT #674
13.47 @ 102 - All Motor!
It was not broke; Yet I fixed it anyway.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 217
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Thanks DemonSVT,
Definitely something to think about for next year (If I do the labor).
George Hodge
New: Volvo S60R
Old:2000 SVT Silver Frost 1188/2150
DMD, 75mm Pro-M, HPP rear strut tower bar
Aussie 24mm sway bar (with boxed in subframe)
BAT European Handling Kit, Brullen Y-pipe
Performance Ford spherical bearing end links
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
Suspension is easy (as long as you don't break anything),, just a little time consuming, go for it.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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So you obviously have different Bilstein struts than what BAT offers right? They list them as the "T/C Series"
Also their package deal is only $60 more than the regular kit with these struts. How much did the Sprintlines run?
What I want for my suspension is something that feels tight and connected to the road (esp at high speeds), but wont toss me and the car around over bumpy, cratered surfaces during cornering and transitions. (like my stock suspension does now) I do NOT want a sofa on wheels!
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Joined: Apr 2002
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O-k...I'l throw my $.02 in here, as I live and drive on the same sh*t roads in MI.
I feel that the BAT springs are a def improvement over the stock items. You lose the nose dive under braking and the side to side tossing is much improved. Cornering is flat, and the drop looks good both front and rear (tho I wish for another .5" in the back).
I have always felt that the struts have too much...or perhaps not well designed compression dampening and not enough rebound dampening (they rebound too quickly). For ~$100 per I expected more...
I am trying to decide right between stock SVT springs or BAT sports paired with the new Bilstiens. After reading Demon's review on how well the B's manage the higher valving rates...I'm leaning towards the BAT springs (I have both SVT and BAT springs at home).
But after visiting Detroit last weekend...and scraping my front spoiler everytime I went in/out a parking garage or lot...the stock ride height is looking mighty good...
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by akrump47:
So you obviously have different Bilstein struts than what BAT offers right? They list them as the "T/C Series"
Also their package deal is only $60 more than the regular kit with these struts. How much did the Sprintlines run?
Nope, the T/C Series is the same as the Sprintlines.
1999 Blk/Tan CSVT #654 - SOLD
2003 Suzuki SV650s
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by path914:
Originally posted by akrump47:
So you obviously have different Bilstein struts than what BAT offers right? They list them as the "T/C Series"
Also their package deal is only $60 more than the regular kit with these struts. How much did the Sprintlines run?
Nope, the T/C Series is the same as the Sprintlines.
Something here is just not meshing. Here's what Bilstein has to say about their TC struts:
Quote:
ntroducing Bilstein Touring Class O.E.
replacement Twin Tube Gas Pressure
Shocks and Struts.
They feature the same German
engineering and quality as the world
famous Bilstein Monotube Gas Pressure
Shock - but in a new, competitively
priced twin-tube design.
Bilstein Touring Class shocks and struts
feature:
Genuine Bilstein technology and
quality
Twin tube gas pressure design
Meets or exceeds original
equipment specifications
Premium ride comfort and control
characteristics
Doesn't really sound like "near race spec" to me.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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