***Finally!!! Bilstein B14/PSS Coilovers***

[Fizz]

One thing that still confuses me is that their marketing specs say it lowers the car 30-50mm, effectively giving a recommended 'adjustment range' of 20mm. Strangely however, the instructions manual shows that the front strut has only 10mm of adjustment range and the rear has 15mm (or was it the other way round I forgot). But either way neither end has the 20mm of adjustment range.

In my case I chose to stay on the higher side of their recommended adjustment range. I can't remember the exact final ride height at the moment but it's about 1" lower from stock. I'll take some "ground-to-fender" measurements tonight and update you guys.

By the way, I've tried running them on the lowest recommended height as well, and compared to my current setting it makes the ride seem more 'bouncy' (for lack of better term). Running the coilovers at the higher end of their recommended setting gives a smoother ride.

[toysub]

Originally Posted by Fizz

In my case I chose to stay on the higher side of their recommended adjustment range. I can't remember the exact final ride height at the moment but it's about 1" lower from stock. I'll take some "ground-to-fender" measurements tonight and update you guys.

By the way, I've tried running them on the lowest recommended height as well, and compared to my current setting it makes the ride seem more 'bouncy' (for lack of better term). Running the coilovers at the higher end of their recommended setting gives a smoother ride.

Looking forward to your post. At your current setting, any compromise on handling or ride comfort?

[Fizz]

Ok my current setting is 65.5cm front, 66cm rear (ground to fender). Measurements taken on flat concrete floor.

[Fizz]

Originally Posted by toysub

Looking forward to your post. At your current setting, any compromise on handling or ride comfort?

Between the two settings I've tried, comfort had improved noticeably when set higher because it absorbs bumps better. Road handling was much better compared to stock. I don't track or autox so can't comment on performance there.

[toysub]

^^ Thanks. Any pics?
I'm debating between the B14s and a swift/koni combo.
Will only be for street use. What to do......

[Fizz]

I'll get you some pics over the weekend. Whilst I can't comment on how the B14 and swift/koni combo compares performance wise (as I haven't tried the latter), the ease of installation alone would have me swing in favour of Bilstein. Plus it also gives you height adjustability. And since you don't need to hack up your factory dampers, you can always fit them back on when selling the car.

[fooddude]

I wonder if these B14's are trackable with its' soft/mild progressive rates? (time trials, fun, learning but serious with desired skill growth/progression, etc ..not really competing/racing).

Anyone?

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by BRZPDX

how are these compared to the FA500? I'm not too picky on having a super comfortable car ride since this is a sports car. So for Auto-X, Track, spirited street driving, which will do the job better?

I want to know the exact same thing too ...since the FA's are definitely on my radar/sights and my primary choice so far.

ST coilovers look high quality too...but I don't think they'd be great for track since they're intended for street/comfort.

[mwjcyber]

Originally Posted by fooddude

I want to know the exact same thing too ...since the FA's are definitely on my radar/sights and my primary choice so far.

ST coilovers look high quality too...but I don't think they'd be great for track since they're intended for street/comfort.

I have Fortune Auto 500's with radial bearing upgrade, and they are amazing. If only for street, don't live where they salt the roads, then the ST coilovers are an amazing value. But if wanting a more planted, responsive and confident suspension, on the street and track, then I highly recommend the FA500's.

[fooddude]

Anymore new users and/or reviews on these? Preferably track/performance reviews..but street or any new reviews welcome too


Starting to get really curious/interested in these over B8s+springs...and also over FA500s (mainly because Bilstein is much more higher quality and durable/reliable..which is important to me....it's obvious that Bilstein is in a whole different format/ballpark regarding quality).


Here's a good question:

Which would be more aggressive?
B8 + Swift Spec-R (F4.4kg R5.3kg)
Vs
B8 + Tarmac (F5kg R5.1kg)
Vs
B14 (F2.5-4.5kg R3-7kg progressive....or, "F4.59kg R6.75" quoted directly from Bilstein; which I assume would be their linear rate description if they had to describe/classify them as such)


Is it me, or do the B14s sounds pretty similar to the Spec R and Tarmac? I was initially interested in the Tarmac and Spec R springs because they are the most aggressive lowering springs currently available..but the more I look at it and think about it, the B14 rates look pretty darn similar, if not even more firm/aggressive than the Tarmac/Spec-R, especially the rear, which the B14 goes all the way up to 7kg at its' max.

The B14 really sounds more attractive than B8+Tarmac/Spec-R combo: similar if not firmer rates, perfectly valved to the springs since it's all in one package, $200 cheaper (B14 is $999 vs $1200 for B8+Tarmac/Spec-R, height adjustable, looks nicer with blue springs on silver (lol), anti corrosion...

[fooddude]

If you wanted to rebuild these (let's say after 3 years of wear and tear and they needed rebuilding and also wanting to customize it) and you wanted to replace the springs on these for some Swifts with custom new spring rates and also have them revalved to match the new Swift springs...then which springs would fit (the bottom perch and also comfortably around the shock body in general?)? ...and would you need new top hats to match the new spring? ...since the OTS B14 springs obviously use the stock oem top hats and the OTS springs have a bigger diameter upper spring mount than the bottom of the spring (it is tapered). Idk..but I am pretty sure coilover spring makers (ie: swift, eibach, etc.) don't make tapered replacement coilover springs specifically for only 1 brand such as the B14 (they usually make non-tapared springs that are universal and can be used by many, if not all, COs)

Ie: would a 65mm or 2.5" non-tapered spring replacement work on the B14? ...with a corresponding/compatible aftermarket camber top-hat/plate/mount? Would it fit snug on the lower perch and not move around and get displaced? And also around the shock body?

Just wanting to know..to see how versatile these B14/B16s are for any possible future rebuilding

[fooddude]

Here's what I've gathered regarding parts and pricing:

$999 for OTS B14

Future Custom Revalve & Respring:
Total: $1470
$425 HVT Front Top Mounts
$285 RaceSeng Rear Top Mounts
$340 ($85x4) Swift Coilover Springs
$100-110 each Revalve to match Swift coilover springs
http://www.bilsteinus.com/products/s...rvice/service/

$1470 doesn’t sound too bad for a complete custom rebuild, revalve and respring to your exact and desired specs in the future, when your B14/B16s are worn down and need a rebuild 3-5 years from now. Or, if you just want to customize/upgrade them after a better understanding of what you really want, from all the experience you’ve had on the track. A nice Bilstein coilover; but with aggressive specs. Not to mention the quality will be super high quality and very good, via Bilstein

And, $2470 total doesn't sound bad either for a complete high quality non-adj setup (same price as most mid level coilovers). What's good is that it is modular and you don't need to buy everything all at once, just use the OTS for the first few years and save for the rest when the time comes. Though it would've been much cheaper if you didn't need to buy new top hats and if somebody made direct replacement springs for the B14 (ie: narrow lower spring diameter with oem top diameter spring for oem top hat reuse). That woulda saved $700 right there making a respring/revalve more convenient and economical for a non-adj setup. UNLESS, that is, the RCE replacement springs for their R0 and RII fit...does it fit? ...it kinda looks like they may fit, because RCE reuses the stock upper oem hats too) @Racecomp Engineering.


I see one part missing though…the rubber, or metal, part that goes inbetween the rear upper spring and RaceSeng Rear Top Mount. I could be wrong, but I think the RaceSeng Rear Mounts are designed to reuse your existing stack on your current coilover or oem spring setup.. BUT, since the B14 originally reuses the stock oem upper mounts, you cannot reuse them again when switching to the narrower 60mm Swift coilover spring replacements, and the B14 does not come with an upper stack mount for 60mm springs. So you obviously can’t just use the new Swift springs and the RaceSeng Rear Mounts without some kind of rubber or metal stack mount in between, right? (unless it will be direct metal to metal, spring to upper mount contact with absolutely zero bearings or rubber washers..sounds like it would eat and dig into the metal and be very noisy). How do you solve this and where can you get this kind of washer/stack/bearing part?

[Racecomp Engineering]

You'll want:

4 x main springs
4 x helper springs
4 x spring separator/coupler (to go between main and helpers)
4 x upper spring perches
2 x OEM subaru conical washers if using stock top mounts up front

You could add front camber plates and rear top mounts if you feel like you need to. But you could reuse stock front and rear with the right upper spring perches (we can supply). We could probably make something to work with Raceseng rears (or they could).

- Andy

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

You'll want:

4 x main springs
4 x helper springs
4 x spring separator/coupler (to go between main and helpers)
4 x upper spring perches
2 x OEM subaru conical washers if using stock top mounts up front

You could add front camber plates and rear top mounts if you feel like you need to. But you could reuse stock front and rear with the right upper spring perches (we can supply). We could probably make something to work with Raceseng rears (or they could).

- Andy

Interested in just the OEM top mounts to save money, for now.




Nice! $350ish sounds very realistic and affordable.

Btw..who makes your springs and also which rates are available?

Or/so, do you just basically use standard coilover springs(straight, non-tapered), but just use new upper perches on top and those conical washers so they can be compatible with OEM upper mounts/plates?

Do you have a better picture, link and description of these parts and how they are used in the system?
"upper spring perches" (goes on top of the 60mm spring to be used with oem mounts, correct?)
"OEM subaru conical washers if using stock top mounts up front" (same..goes on top of the 60mm spring to be used with oem mounts, correct?..what about for the rear oem mounts?)