Bilstein B6 + RCE Yellow vs. CSG-spec Tein Flex A

[Tanstin]

Just like the title says, I'm torn between these two options. I use my car mainly for DD, lots of spirited driving with the plan to track it 1-3 times a year. Only plan to lower about one inch and nothing more.


Right now, leaning towards the CSG-spec coilovers because in case I find the bilstein b6 + rce yellows too soft, I can dial it in a bit more, but my question is if the bilstein b6 damper is superior to that of the tein flex A since it sacrifices versatility.

[Thefalls]

That is a very tough question to answer. I find myself in the same boat and after riding in a car with B8 dampers with Eibach springs, it brought more confusion to the mix. The B6/RCE yellows will more than capable for spirited driving and comfort. You will be surprised at the versatility of this kit. It has no camber plate, though.

Whereas the Tein Flex A CSG Is cut out more on the side of sportiness than comfort, though it is very capable on the streets, or so i have read so far.
The only down side is the waiting time to get a kit. But then since its back ordered all the time means its a really good kit.

Now throw into the mix, RCE SS1, with nice camber plates and made for street use with some track use in mind. It has the versatility needed and can be adjusted to your liking. Meaning you will only use one setting for the street but can be adjusted for track use. And it comes with KW quality.

In my opinion, if the main focus is DD then you can't go wrong with Bilstein B6 and some nice springs. Someone recommended going with the STI pinks springs for max comfort and neutral behaviour. And add some camber bolts and you should be good.

But if you are looking for some adjustability and future [more] track use then its better to get coilovers. Any two of the above won't break your bank and still fulfil your needs. All the above is my opinion [research] only and others will no doubt chime in with more views.

[Dzmitry]

Originally Posted by Thefalls

That is a very tough question to answer. I find myself in the same boat and after riding in a car with B8 dampers with Eibach springs, it brought more confusion to the mix. The B6/RCE yellows will more than capable for spirited driving and comfort. You will be surprised at the versatility of this kit. It has no camber plate, though.

Whereas the Tein Flex A CSG Is cut out more on the side of sportiness than comfort, though it is very capable on the streets, or so i have read so far.
The only down side is the waiting time to get a kit. But then since its back ordered all the time means its a really good kit.

Now throw into the mix, RCE SS1, with nice camber plates and made for street use with some track use in mind. It has the versatility needed and can be adjusted to your liking. Meaning you will only use one setting for the street but can be adjusted for track use. And it comes with KW quality.

In my opinion, if the main focus is DD then you can't go wrong with Bilstein B6 and some nice springs. Someone recommended going with the STI pinks springs for max comfort and neutral behaviour. And add some camber bolts and you should be good.

But if you are looking for some adjustability and future [more] track use then its better to get coilovers. Any two of the above won't break your bank and still fulfil your needs. All the above is my opinion [research] only and others will no doubt chime in with more views.

Sounds like a pretty solid summary. I'd add too that if it's mostly or only a DD car, coilovers would offer you a little more wheel options in terms of sizes/fitment.

[Petah78]

Originally Posted by Thefalls

Now throw into the mix, RCE SS1, with nice camber plates and made for street use with some track use in mind. It has the versatility needed and can be adjusted to your liking. Meaning you will only use one setting for the street but can be adjusted for track use. And it comes with KW quality.

I agree with all your points and these are all systems which i have considered. However, i do have doubts about "KW quality". This is by no means knocking on RCE as they have been a really helpful resource on this forum with suspension knowledge. However, i owned a set of KW V3 for my S2000 and two of four shocks started to leak within less than 6k miles. I did buy the set used but the first owner was my friend hence i know the history of the setup. Maybe i had bad luck with my particular set but i have read similar stories online. I have owned Teins, Buddy Clubs, Apexi and Spoon coilovers and none of them leaked in my ownership. In any case, i will give them another shot and will sent them in for a service this spring but just some food for thought.

Another point to consider, only the Bilstein from the list is a monotube design which is supposedly superior when it comes to motion control with a larger piston. And i think rebuild is far easier with Bilstein with lots of options including revalve, not so much with the other 2.

[Racecomp Engineering]

We do have a couple sets of RCE SS1 in stock and Bilstein B6. I wish I still had mine on my car...both because I'm really hating the stock suspension I have on temporarily and because I could give you a ride. I will have Bilstein B6 on my car shortly but not with RCE Yellows (I'll have our rally springs on which are pretty different lol).

If you're definitely planning on 245 tires and/or 9 inch wheels, you'll want coilovers.

The Bilsteins really are great and a super fun all-around set up with RCE Yellows.

- Andrew

[TommyW]

I was faced with the exact same decision to make. I’m one of those people that doesn’t like to have to adjust stuff other than camber and my sway bars. I went with the B6’s. I already had H&R springs and Verus camber plates. I mainly track my car however some drives to the track can be 8 hours. This setup performs extremely well both on track and on the street. I felt putting the money into really good dampening was important. Coils can be good or they can suck.
If you go the coil route strike up a convo With CSG Mike. He’ll point you in the right direction.

The thread below makes me think I made the right decision

https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144426

[Capt Spaulding]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

We do have a couple sets of RCE SS1 in stock and Bilstein B6. I wish I still had mine on my car...both because I'm really hating the stock suspension I have on temporarily and because I could give you a ride. I will have Bilstein B6 on my car shortly but not with RCE Yellows (I'll have our rally springs on which are pretty different lol).

If you're definitely planning on 245 tires and/or 9 inch wheels, you'll want coilovers.

The Bilsteins really are great and a super fun all-around set up with RCE Yellows.

- Andrew

I am REALLY interested in seeing the results of the B6/rally spring marriage.

[wil5bart]

I'm very pleased with my B6's. These bilstein shocks provide a firm ride but not harsh at all. The rest of my suspension components are stock but I'm thinking of replacing the springs.

[ZDan]

Really happy with Bilsteins and Swift SpecR springs (1.25" lowering, a bit stiffer than RCE Yellow, about same as RCE Tarmac) for street and track on my car. That said, over biggish whoops at speed the rear can get "bounced" off the rear bump stops. I'm thinking about getting rear shock mounts that give more bump travel like these:
https://diftech.com/products/shock-u...-s-brz-86-rear
https://raceseng.com/products/shock-top

Anybody have a recommendation between those two or other?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Really happy with Bilsteins and Swift SpecR springs (1.25" lowering, a bit stiffer than RCE Yellow, about same as RCE Tarmac) for street and track on my car. That said, over biggish whoops at speed the rear can get "bounced" off the rear bump stops. I'm thinking about getting rear shock mounts that give more bump travel like these:
https://diftech.com/products/shock-u...-s-brz-86-rear
https://raceseng.com/products/shock-top

Anybody have a recommendation between those two or other?

Neither of those are designed for OEM style shocks unfortunately. I think you'd lower the car and not change bump travel...with a coilover that had adjustable spring perches would then raise the spring perch to get back to your previous ride height and get some bump travel back.

- Andrew

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Neither of those are designed for OEM style shocks unfortunately. I think you'd lower the car and not change bump travel...with a coilover that had adjustable spring perches would then raise the spring perch to get back to your previous ride height and get some bump travel back.

Ah, I haven't examined the design closely, assumed the idea was to move the top shock mount upward while keeping spring perch at same height.