Bilsteins/Bushings/Suspension advice

[Mrockatansky]

Hey all,

My dear old parents are in South Florida until end of the month and asked me if there is anything I need bringing back before they start driving their RV up to the hopefully snow free great white north.

Well, this got me thinking.. that perhaps one more Summit order is on the books.. especially if I can save the shipping and have my wonderful folks bring it back (30% exchange rate is still brutal though)..

Started looking at the UMI stage 2 package but the current exchange rate on a Stage 2 handling kit purchase is just too punishing at the moment for us Canadians.

I think I am going with Bilstein shocks for the moment as I believe in the product and see that quite a few people here like them too.

Car right now is running some very tired Grand National suspension, I quite like the ride height on the car and don't believe it is already lowered at all but would like to keep my future options open.

These are what Summit says work for me:

Screen Shot 2016-02-18 At 4.39.03 PM

• Mrockatansky
• Feb 18, 2016

Rear BSN-24-009294
Front BSN-24-009492

Figured before I hit the checkout button I would see if those part numbers seem correct and good to go in relation to some of your builds.

So few questions are:

1) Being proactive, and especially if I ever wanted to lower the car in the future, will the above shocks be fine? I know some of you use the AK series by Bilstein for lowered applications.. haven't decided what I am going to do with springs or spindles in the future.

2) While I am at it I figure I may swap a few suspension bushings, maybe opt for some more Poly stuff.
What suspension bushings or small upgrades can I do when changing shocks? Anyone have ideas, recommends and hopefully part numbers?

Thanks in advance,

 

[pontiacgp]

It depends how far you want to lower it to see if you'll need shorter shocks. The AK series comes in two lengths, one stock length and the other is 2" shorter. The reason I use the AK series is that they are linear shocks so the compression and rebound rates are consistent, not auto adjusting like the HD versions are. For the UMI products I have a contact in TO who can get the products over the border and in your hands for just a little more than you would pay at the UMI factory.....that is until the dollar exchange gets you

http://www.powerhouseperformance.ca/

 

[Mrockatansky]

PontiacGP,

Not sure I would ever lower car more than 1" even if indeed I did so in the future. Thanks for the contact referral, appreciated. Still not too keen on spending an extra $600 on the exchange.

So would I be fine with the HD shocks even in I decided to do a one inch drop in the future?

How do the handling characteristics of the car vary with AK or HD Bilsteins?

Any insight?

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Worthwhile alternative?

Screen Shot 2016-02-18 At 6.35.00 PM

• Mrockatansky
• Feb 18, 2016

 

[pontiacgp]

I personally don't like any shock that has auto adjust on my car. I like to know the compression and rebound rates. I don't use progressive springs in the rear of my car either. I helped build a few of the G bodys for circle track asphalt cars so I do it a bit different than some. I hear ya on the exchange rates, they have killed a few ideas I had for last summer and it's even worse now.

 

[jeremyandthemonte]

i will chime in but i don't have much experience but i heard that eibach and bilstein a good combo for cheap

 

[clean8485]

I installed the Bilsteins on my Monte a couple of years ago (can't remember which series the shocks are, but I got them from G Body parts). They replaced a very old and tired set of KYBs. It was a big improvement in both ride and handling on the car. Most people who have used them agree that they're the best bang for the buck on the market these days.

 

[clean8485]

Just as an aside, I'd like to get some of the UMI suspension parts as well, but I think I'll wait until the dollar situation improves.