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

[Racecomp Engineering]

Our RCE T2 and T0 springs are the KW "race" coilover springs. We can get basically anything.

Hard to see, but just the black conical piece at the top for the fronts, and the black flat piece for the rears. Both of these allow you to mate a coilover with linear springs to the stock top mounts. We use the OEM silver conical washer up front with the OEM mounts, but it's not pictured here. It goes right on top of the spring perch.



- andy

[fooddude]

Thanks!

Very nice and much more reason to get the B14's now.

All it takes is around $800 for a complete custom respring & revalve ($400 via RCE & $400 via Bilstein service center). Sounds like it'd be very high quality to boot

[fooddude]

Is this the part (front oem subaru conical washer) you're talking about?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by fooddude

Is this the part (front oem subaru conical washer) you're talking about?

yuppers.

- andy

[Racecomp Engineering]

Just want to make sure that it is 60mm ID (on the bottom end where the spring sits).

Total travel would be helpful too.

I'd highly recommend helper springs.

- Andy

[fooddude]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

I'd highly recommend helper springs.

- Andy

Yes, it'd be nice...but trying to save money and those helper springs + couplers cost a lot.

Swift helpers x 4 x $70-$120 = $280-480
Swfit helper spring adapter/coupler x 4 x $25 = $100
Swift total = $380 min

Hyperco helpers x 4 $25 = $100
Hyperco coupler = $?-$25
Total $100 min

I'd rather choose to exclude the helper springs... for both to save money and also to simplify the overall setup with less parts.

The helper springs might cause ride height adjustment range problems too later on after installing.. since this isn't exactly an OTS setup, no one has done this yet and it is sort of an experimentation with a mix of different parts.

[Racecomp Engineering]

You really want the helpers and they'll make things a lot simpler. Both in setting ride height correctly and making sure everything works without becoming loose at full droop.

No need for Swift helpers....

- Andy

[fooddude]

What makes Hyperco a good spring compared to eibach, swift and other spring makers? (sorry, I never researched CO spring replacement parts before)

Can you educate me on the advantages and disadvantages of using helpers? I am sure they add preload; but what else do they do? I think/assume they are fully closed/compressed when the car is on the ground correct? I can assume/see they "round out" a little bit of the stiffness, edges and initial bite of using stiff springs, making a smoother transition into the stiff spring, correct? ..kinda like a reverb to a music instrument maybe?

And how do you determine what the correct rates I should use for helpers? Lets say if I wanted to do 7k, or 8k, mains all around. Or is it based on preload from car's weight or something?

Edit:
Ahh. I just read the sales descriptions of the Swift helper springs on various sites. Actually..they're not that expensive like I first assumed. They all come with the coupler adapters, and the $120'ish price ones I posted earlier was actually for a Pair and not just 1. Duh! lol



.

[shattered_memory]

can anyone confirm that a 17X9 +45 with a 245/40/17 tire rubs on the coilover? I'm planning on running no more than -1 degree of camber in the front. Feedback is much appreciated. Thanks.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by fooddude

What makes Hyperco a good spring compared to eibach, swift and other spring makers? (sorry, I never researched CO spring replacement parts before)

Can you educate me on the advantages and disadvantages of using helpers? I am sure they add preload; but what else do they do? I think/assume they are fully closed/compressed when the car is on the ground correct? I can assume/see they "round out" a little bit of the stiffness, edges and initial bite of using stiff springs, making a smoother transition into the stiff spring, correct? ..kinda like a reverb to a music instrument maybe?

And how do you determine what the correct rates I should use for helpers? Lets say if I wanted to do 7k, or 8k, mains all around. Or is it based on preload from car's weight or something?

Edit:
Ahh. I just read the sales descriptions of the Swift helper springs on various sites. Actually..they're not that expensive like I first assumed. They all come with the coupler adapters, and the $120'ish price ones I posted earlier was actually for a Pair and not just 1. Duh! lol



.

I'd say Hyperco and Swift are the top two, and then Eibach and KW just behind. You pay a premium for Swift and they are good but I'd be just as happy with Hyperco.

As for helpers, you really want them with a single height adjustable coilover (only able to adjust height with the spring perch and not the lower mount). Without them your main springs could become unseated at full droop. If your setting your ride height high you might not have a problem but at lower ride height you'll likely have problems. They also keep you from preloading the main spring.

Also...there's a difference between helpers and tenders. They look similar, but helpers are essentially 0 rate. They exist solely to keep the main spring seated and take up slack. Tenders do that too, but they also have a little bit of spring rate to make things a little bit progressive. They're still closed at normal ride height but you get a little cushioning when the shock is extended. Our RCE Tarmacs use tenders.

- Andy

[Fizz]

Thanks. I've always thought helpers and tenders were simply the same....didn't know one had spring rate.

[MrH]

Originally Posted by shattered_memory

can anyone confirm that a 17X9 +45 with a 245/40/17 tire rubs on the coilover? I'm planning on running no more than -1 degree of camber in the front. Feedback is much appreciated. Thanks.

This is the setup I'm running. 17x9 rpf1s +45 mm offset. I'm running 245/40/17 Michelin Pilot super sports.

I put these on the stock suspension at first. You won't be able to fit these with the stock suspension. You'll be up against the lower spring seat in the front without spacers. I ran 3 mm spacers for a few months and I was fine without rubbing.

I've since installed bilstein pss10s (b16s). The interference issue with the lower spring seat in the front is taken care of with coilovers (much smaller outer do a diameter). Rear is fine. I've got about an inch clearance between tire and fender. I'm running 2.2 degrees negative camber in the front and don't get any rubbing in daily driving. Might be very very slight when turning lock to lock, but nothing noticeable.

[fooddude]

I know many compare and want to know the differences/advantages between the similarly priced B8+Spring Combo and the B14, when they are planning and shopping for a new setup ...and I thought of this just now and I remember it never gets mentioned.

B14 = stainless steel bodies with also a durable coating
B8 = ??/non-ss bodies with a painted coating

I am sure they share similarly awesome Bilstein valving, performance, durability and quality...but the B14 sounds just a tad better in quality due to stainless steel bodies and new high tech coating.

[Yobiwan]

I installed B14 last week. (I used STI pink spring before B14 )
I thought b14 is shipped with 20mm lowering setting but
after installation, I realized that spring seats are on lowest place.
(from center of strut fix bolt to spring seat : front 110mm/ rear 145mm)

so I adjust spring seats front + 10mm(maximum possible range) ,
rear + 5mm . ( F:120mm R:150mm)


but It's too low for me yet. I usually enjoy sprited driving on very harsh road.

after adjust, B14 lowered front about 30mm from stock , rear about 20mm (with full gas) -from fender to center of hub-
and now I am a little bit concerned about roll center.

ride quality is good. not harsh at all. mature, firm ride. almost same with pink spring.
and high way driving is very impressive. it's genuine bilstein feeling.
but I didn't drive spritedly after adjust. so I don't know yet about handling.

sorry about my bad english =)

before adjust

Flickr에서 Yobi-Wan님의 P5220047

after adjust . it's hard to notice difference with pictures . but it raised a bit.

Flickr에서 Yobi-Wan님의 B14 Bilstein