Bilstein B8 with Stock Springs
 

Hi gang, I am in the market for replacing the stock shocks due to their age and condition. I do AutoX the car, and in order to stay in the class I am at now, I am not able to use adjustable, and I need to remove at stock ride height with stock springs.

I have seen many folks run the B8 with stock springs, but I was worried about too much preload because of the shorter damper. I know I could just go B6 and call it a day, but eventually I may look to get springs, which is why I was looking at the B8s.

Has anyone run the B8s with stock springs? Any known issues at all?

If you haven't already, you may want to read through this thread.

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143629

I was aware of the differences between the B8 and B6, but I'm super happy I read that the B6 will be just fine for lowered cars as well. I will get the B6.

Thanks very much!

Noticed your in Ottawa too. I have B6 on RCE yellows.
If you wanted to feel that setup, feel free to shoot me a PM

You'll be fine with B6s with lower springs, and you'll be better off with B6s with stock springs (more droop travel).

I have B8s with 1.25" lower Swift Spec-R springs. Had to compress the springs quite a bit to install. After the fact I learned that springs wouldn't have been loose if I'd gone with B6s. And reduced droop travel for short springs is literally the only difference between B8 and B6.

Thanks for all the input folks. B6's it is! Now, I wonder how long it will take to get them in...

Should also mention I'm a big fan of the Bilsteins for street and track! Much smoother ride than stock, with better low-speed damping and more bump travel up front so better-suited to lower springs.

I ordered mine back in March from FT86MS and received them in 2-3 weeks. Supply/demand has been a bit crazy since so who knows.

:thanks:

Appreciate the input. I'm looking forward to having the upgrade; the car has stock all original suspension still on it (2013 FRS), so it will be a nice update. Even with the stock springs for now.

I recently switched to B6 with stock 2013 frs springs and the MCA traction mod. I've only got a handful of miles on it so far, but damn is it good. So far nothing upsets it, the rear is much more progressive and easy to control, and at highway speeds it just seems to get more comfortable and composed the faster I go. Seriously, good dampers was transformative. The traction mod was just icing on the cake making it easier put power down on corner exit.

Awesome, glad to hear the positive feedback. Looks like they have some at the supplier through FT86 so should be here in a couple of weeks. Super pumped.

I will look into the MCA Traction mod, too. Cheers.

Question regarding the MCA mod after looking at it. One of the questions that we are asking when classing our cars for MCO (Ottawa Club) is whether we have changed the suspension geometry at all. If we do, I get dinged a few points, and then into next class. Do you think this would qualify as changing the suspension geometry. As far as I can tell, you can run standard alignment etc. so I am thinking I should be OK with it.

I don't know, best to take this question to the tracking forums below

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They don't keep anything that expensive in stock. Ask ahead what the time line will be before you put down money. Bilsteins for this car were on back order for a long time, I don't know if that was resolved yet.



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If it didn't change suspension geometry, it wouldn't have much if any effect. My understanding is it reduces anti-squat.

MCA traction mod absolutely changes suspension geometry.

suspension geometry =/= alignment

Think of something like the whiteline roll center/bumpsteer kit. While it's just a longer ball joint it changes how the different lever arms of the suspension are located/move through their range of motion. That is a cost that is generally kept out of lower classes on purpose, even though some chassis have inexpensive parts with good results, not all chassis have that opportunity and would have to spend $$$ on custom fabricated parts to keep up.

Some changes are usually accounted for, like adjustable lower control arms for the rear also change the suspension geometry moving the chassis/damper/swaybar/wheel points relative to each other (depending on the mechanism), but it's usually a small amount (unless a control arm has different mount points on purpose) that is accounted for in the allowance.

i.e. in the SCCA rulebook for street touring:
"Changes in suspension geometry are not allowed except as incidental
to the effective arm length change."

Appreciate the info. Now that I watched an install video, its very clear what is happening here. Looks like this will have to be a next season mod when I do sways and bushings throughout.