Footman's review of the Eibach Pro-kit + Bilstein B8 sprint shock combination
12-10-2010, 12:21 AM
#26
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I'm confused. i was interested in buying the bilstein shocks, so i look them up, but for some reason i can only get to the bilstein HD (B6)...the website doesnt even offer the B8 as an option. so i called the Bilstein and they said they dont make the B8's for the RX8. So how did you get them? and did you have to modify them to fit? I really want the same upset you have.
12-10-2010, 02:09 AM
#27
I'm confused. i was interested in buying the bilstein shocks, so i look them up, but for some reason i can only get to the bilstein HD (B6)...the website doesnt even offer the B8 as an option. so i called the Bilstein and they said they dont make the B8's for the RX8. So how did you get them? and did you have to modify them to fit? I really want the same upset you have.
12-10-2010, 06:16 AM
#28
I'm confused. i was interested in buying the bilstein shocks, so i look them up, but for some reason i can only get to the bilstein HD (B6)...the website doesnt even offer the B8 as an option. so i called the Bilstein and they said they dont make the B8's for the RX8. So how did you get them? and did you have to modify them to fit? I really want the same upset you have.
Bilstein B6 (a.k.a. Bilstein HD shocks in North America)
Bilstein B8 (a.k.a. Bilstein Sprint shocks Europe)
In Europe, you can get either one. In North America you can only get the B6 which is known as the HD shock.
I imported mine from an online UK dealer. The B8 shock is a shortened shock meant to match lowering springs. I recommend you visit the Bilstein european website to read about the differences.
It is known that the RX8 R3 model uses Bilstein shocks and it is claimed that it is the B6 variant, but no one has factual evidence or confirmation of part number to suggest that. It could be a custom valved Bilstein shock made specifically for the R3's springs. Again, no one is 100% sure.
12-10-2010, 08:54 AM
#29
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Nice review...sounds like a good pairing of the shortened shocks w/the springs and esp. for a mostly street use car. I would comment on one paragraph though..based on my experience..and so as not to diswade others unneccessarily from COs.
"Coilovers are far stiffer than comfortable for daily driving."
Comfort depends more on tires and stiffness of CO or S/S choosen.
"There are a ton of adjustments and corner balancing that most are not familiar with. I personally don't want to **** around with all those settings. "
Who'd would drop $2K for scales..then do their own alignment? No one. So this is work for a race shop anyways. They dsconnect your sways, corner balance, then align. No mess, no fuss, done and over. And this is a key benefit of adj perch COs, you can actually do a corner balance.
"Not to mention, how are the adjustable spring perches going to survive the SALTY winters of Toronto as a daily driven car."
Varies by CO, but those w/SS threads will never rust. And really - how many times do you adj height? Once? Maybe again if you aren't happy? Maybe not much issue even if it locks up.
Looks like you did your homework and hit a homerun with the results. let us know how it goes on track next season
"Coilovers are far stiffer than comfortable for daily driving."
Comfort depends more on tires and stiffness of CO or S/S choosen.
"There are a ton of adjustments and corner balancing that most are not familiar with. I personally don't want to **** around with all those settings. "
Who'd would drop $2K for scales..then do their own alignment? No one. So this is work for a race shop anyways. They dsconnect your sways, corner balance, then align. No mess, no fuss, done and over. And this is a key benefit of adj perch COs, you can actually do a corner balance.
"Not to mention, how are the adjustable spring perches going to survive the SALTY winters of Toronto as a daily driven car."
Varies by CO, but those w/SS threads will never rust. And really - how many times do you adj height? Once? Maybe again if you aren't happy? Maybe not much issue even if it locks up.
Looks like you did your homework and hit a homerun with the results. let us know how it goes on track next season
12-10-2010, 12:02 PM
#30
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In Europe, you can get either one. In North America you can only get the B6 which is known as the HD shock.
I imported mine from an online UK dealer. The B8 shock is a shortened shock meant to match lowering springs. I recommend you visit the Bilstein european website to read about the differences.
I imported mine from an online UK dealer. The B8 shock is a shortened shock meant to match lowering springs. I recommend you visit the Bilstein european website to read about the differences.
OK, so if i was to order a set of B8's for my 04 rx8 from the UK. How can i order them from the UK? What did you do to get them? and would it fit my car without any problems?
12-10-2010, 12:38 PM
#33
Because you are coming from stock setup and you are changing springs/shocks at once, you may want to consider the B12 set:
http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap.../se5-b008.html
http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/cheap.../se5-b008.html
12-10-2010, 07:11 PM
#34
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In southern California.
I'll look those up right now. thanks!!!
are the B12's just as good as having the B8's with eibachs?
P.S. thanks for being so helpful
P.S. thanks for being so helpful
12-11-2010, 08:51 AM
#35
I wouldn't know if the B12 are the same as the B8 + Eibach. If you read the entire thread, somewhere I speculated that the B12 springs that come with the kit are potentially Eibach prokits, but I have no definitive proof.
Quoted from website: "Bilstein Suspension Kits (B12)
The quality of Bilstein Suspension Kits is second to none. Each Bilstein B12 Suspension kit contains a full car set of Bilstein B8 sports shock absorbers, together with either H&R or Eibach Springs."
I purchased mine from www.larkspeed.com
This is what you need: http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?a=...nsion-Kit-B12-
Quoted from website: "Bilstein Suspension Kits (B12)
The quality of Bilstein Suspension Kits is second to none. Each Bilstein B12 Suspension kit contains a full car set of Bilstein B8 sports shock absorbers, together with either H&R or Eibach Springs."
I purchased mine from www.larkspeed.com
This is what you need: http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?a=...nsion-Kit-B12-
Last edited by Footman; 12-11-2010 at 08:58 AM.
12-11-2010, 09:56 PM
#37
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I wouldn't know if the B12 are the same as the B8 + Eibach. If you read the entire thread, somewhere I speculated that the B12 springs that come with the kit are potentially Eibach prokits, but I have no definitive proof.
Quoted from website: "Bilstein Suspension Kits (B12)
The quality of Bilstein Suspension Kits is second to none. Each Bilstein B12 Suspension kit contains a full car set of Bilstein B8 sports shock absorbers, together with either H&R or Eibach Springs."
Quoted from website: "Bilstein Suspension Kits (B12)
The quality of Bilstein Suspension Kits is second to none. Each Bilstein B12 Suspension kit contains a full car set of Bilstein B8 sports shock absorbers, together with either H&R or Eibach Springs."
wow, i did a currency converter for the price of the B12 kit. and it's 1,079 for them!! and i dont think that includes shipping. and how does my american money convert when i'm paying with a debit card....and when you put in your bilsteins, did you have to modify anything to make them fit properly?
12-19-2010, 11:18 AM
#39
Note that the 2 finger and the 3 finger insert does not mean wheel gap. Take notice of the angle to which my fingers are at .. it's more like the amount of offset space left!
Wheel gap is perpendicular to car's side. So the first 4 photos taken from exactly level of the fender is accurate assessment of wheel gap.
Wheel gap is perpendicular to car's side. So the first 4 photos taken from exactly level of the fender is accurate assessment of wheel gap.
12-22-2010, 12:21 PM
#41
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04-02-2011, 08:50 AM
#43
Rear spring on Series II shocks are in a different place. Contact Bilstein Europe to confirm. Your other option is Koni yellows which is what I have on a series II car.
If you need more info do a search in the track section the position of the spring perches has been discussed a length.
If you need more info do a search in the track section the position of the spring perches has been discussed a length.
04-07-2011, 06:52 AM
#46
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Whoa, i was under the impression it was the piston that was of different length. I didn't appreciate there's a difference in the entire length between B6 and B8. What is the difference and is the difference the same for fronts and rears?
04-12-2011, 10:56 AM
#48
Aesthetically, the B8's are a shortened shock. They are much like the Koni yellows that you may have read on the forum. Yes, they further drop the car by another 0.5 to 1". If you see me at tonight's meet at Woodbine/16th, you can see for yourself. The wheel gap is now even front and rear. There is no wheel gap. I have gained some extra negative camber at all 4 wheels after the install. This has provided a sharper turn in so far, at the cost of wearing the inside of my tires (that are soon to be replaced anyways) so I don't care.
These were shipped from UK. Bilstein had 0 stock on them, so they had to build new ones. Mine were stamped April 2010.
Cost was $580 British Pounds shipped. At time of purchase, exchange rate was approx 1.55. Comes to about $900.
A lot of people will say "man for that money, you could have just gotten Tein basics coilovers" Everyone is entitled to an opinion, and this is not about what's a better value or not.
Coilovers are far stiffer than comfortable for daily driving. There are a ton of adjustments and corner balancing that most are not familiar with. I personally don't want to **** around with all those settings. Not to mention, how are the adjustable spring perches going to survive the SALTY winters of Toronto as a daily driven car.
The Basics are just that, there are basic, and meant for show, just go up and down, theres no dampening. You need to go Flex or Monotube for that. And most people that do coilovers for serious attempts of tracking will pull them out at the end of the season, hopefully. If not store the car.
10-31-2015, 09:34 AM
#49
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pics seem dead? Thanks so much for your review. Sounds like they handle well and ride well on the street. My only concern is ride height, and scraping on driveways / speed bumps. Hence why the pictures would be helpful.
