Bilstein B6 and B8 explained

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by LancePower

People have commented that the B6's will raise a car lowered on springs.

I found even the B8's raised the right height coming from OEM shocks on Eibach Pro Kits.

I didn't notice B8s raising my car at all vs. stock PP Sachs. I'm on Swift Spec-R springs with camber plates up front, ride heights are just under 13" all around.

[LancePower]

Originally Posted by ZDan

I didn't notice B8s raising my car at all vs. stock PP Sachs. I'm on Swift Spec-R springs with camber plates up front, ride heights are just under 13" all around.

It wasn't much of a raise and it might be settling as time goes by.

What is the drop of those Swift springs?

[x808drifter]

Originally Posted by LancePower

People have commented that the B6's will raise a car lowered on springs.

I found even the B8's raised the right height coming from OEM shocks on Eibach Pro Kits.

0/5 cars did this to me. 4 on B6's 1 on B8's. All of them dropped as advertised.
Eibach, Tein, Swift, RCE.
Haven't seen a single post saying different either.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by LancePower

It wasn't much of a raise and it might be settling as time goes by.

What is the drop of those Swift springs?

What is factory ride height, 14.5"? I'm just under 13" wheel centerline to fender lip. Part of the apparent lowering may be due to -3.5 front and -2.8 rear camber. Should also note that I think the Raceseng camber plates actually lowered the front a bit, I had 6mm spring spacers machined (simple rings mounted between top of spring and the upper perch) to bring front ride height back up, otherwise front ride height would be lower.

Long/short, the Swift Spec-R springs lowered my car quite a bit more than the advertised -1.1" front, 1.0" rear, more like 1.5". This setup with Bilstein B8s gave me about the same ride height as Swift BRZ Sport springs with factory Sachs dampers.

[marco_mc22]

Does anyone know how much total travel B6 has front and rear?

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by marco_mc22

Does anyone know how much total travel B6 has front and rear?

I was told by Bilstein that the only difference between B6 and B8 is the B8 has reduced droop, so presumably they have same bump travel. My B8 front struts definitely have *a lot* more bump travel vs. factory PP Sachs dampers, which were pretty much on the bump stops at my -1.5" ride height. The ride was *horrible* over the smallest bumps the front would just CRASH. With the b8 front struts the bump travel is fantastic on the street and punishing the outside front less at the track. I'd estimate +20mm more front bump travel, the difference was profound. At the rear, I'd guess bump travel is about same as stock? I can definitely feel the rear rebounding off the bump stops over dips/bumps. Rear also around -1.5" ride height vs. stock.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by marco_mc22

Does anyone know how much total travel B6 has front and rear?

Total shock travel is roughly the same as stock.

I still need to take apart the extra front B6 I have to measure the internal bumpstop. That is the only place where they could gain bump travel.

- Andrew

[norcalpb]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Total shock travel is roughly the same as stock.

I still need to take apart the extra front B6 I have to measure the internal bumpstop. That is the only place where they could gain bump travel.

- Andrew

I could take apart the extra ones that I have as well. Do you just take off that lower nut and the guts just slide on out?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

I could take apart the extra ones that I have as well. Do you just take off that lower nut and the guts just slide on out?

Yup!

- Andrew

[marco_mc22]

Question: does B14/16 has same travel as B6? If lower, would be possible to install B6 damper into B14/16 body to increase travel?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by marco_mc22

Question: does B14/16 has same travel as B6? If lower, would be possible to install B6 damper into B14/16 body to increase travel?

My guess is that it's similar to B8 travel but I don't know.

Not sure if you can put B6 damper in B14/16 body.

- Andrew

[norcalpb]

Hey Andrew, is this part of the shock serviceable? It seemed to just pop out after installing new shocks.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by norcalpb

Hey Andrew, is this part of the shock serviceable? It seemed to just pop out after installing new shocks.

Hmmm...I think the lower bushing is available separately if you can press it in yourself but not 100% sure. Would likely be something that Bilstein could repair if you send it in either way.

- Andrew

[jimgreen83]

Has anyone put B8’s on a GR86? I put some on my GT86 under a year ago and wondering about stripping that car since the GR86 arrived earlier than expected.