Getting Bilstein HD's and Eibach springs... question

[eDoog]

So my setup is going to be HD's with the Eubach pro kit. Before I do this, I wanted to know if the Eibachs are softer than the Hotchkins. I DO not want an extremely stiff ride, but I want to firm things up a bit while dropping an inch or so. I have done searches on this but I couldn't find which one is the softer spring.

I just found these on eBay. It's an eibach pro kit that has 2500 miles on it and it's for a 98-02 v6 application. Will these be ok for my 96?

edit: I went to edmunds.com last night and found out that there is only a 25lb difference between the 2 body styles. I hope these will work. All opinions welcom.

[ October 24, 2004, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: eDoog ]

[RancidCamaro]

I have bilstein HDs with my hotchkis and the ride is pretty stiff. If you're getting HDs your ride is going to be stiff if you get any aftermarket lowering springs, period.

[camaro3.4]

I put hd's on with an eibachi v6 prokit. On bad roads it feels like your in some sick carnival ride. After 12k miles my shocks or springs seemed to loosen up a bit making the ride more comfortable. Subframe connectors and a strut tower brace also seem to make a tight suspension more "managable". I also put in new a arm bushing at the same time and would not recomend it to anyone with a hi-mile, or older car. Major PITA. If could do it over i would buy new a arms in a minuite.

[PiLOTLiTE]

Interesting auction...the actual part number for the 98-02 V6 kit is 3870.240. The part number for the same year V8 kit is 3870.140. I would check the numbers on these springs with Eibachs tech line to make sure they are for the V6.

As for which is softer, the Hotchkis kit has a progressive rate front and rear spring and will ride softer than the Eibach under normal driving. The more you push it, the stiffer it gets. The Eibach has a linear front and progressive rear and will generally ride a little firmer under normal conditions than the Hotchkis. However, you may prefer the Eibach drop because Hotchkis does not make a V6 specific kit and you will most likely not see the 1'' advertised drop in the front, although few have reported that they have. Eibach advertises a 1.4'' drop.

[HAZ-Matt]

Originally posted by eDoog:
It's an eibach pro kit that has 2500 miles on it and it's for a 98-02 v6 application. Will these be ok for my 96?

It's not the weight difference. Look at the technical database you will find that they changed the sway bars and the springs together. Spring rates went up in front and back (probably because they wanted to use common rear springs) and sway bar thickness went down in front and back.

http://tech.firebirdv6.com/suspension.html

[93camaro_zzz]

I like Bilstein HD's. That is the shock I am going to choose, as soon, as I save up money. I have heard ALL good things about them. ;)

[kramer2125]

HD's are great, did you check ebay?

[eDoog]

Okay, I talked with my mom's fiance for like an hour (he's been working on cars for 20 some years) and he says that I should first get the shocks and then swaybars. He says as soon as you start to lower the car, the comfort of the ride drops. I don't need it to be stiff as hell, I just want to kill the body roll and take corners a little quicker. Basically he said go step by step (which is cool because he's going to help me install everything).

Thanks for all the input though. I' won't be getting that eibach kit of ebay... hopefully the auction I found will help someone else though.

[ianwells100]

eDoog, if ur looking for an eibach prokit for hte 93-97 fbody, i have a set with 1000 miles (thats 1000 only) on them, they're basically new, look immaculate, and are in original box

the LOWEST i can go is $175 shipped FIRM

let me know if u want them (email me!!! ianwells100@hotmail.com)

ian

[1DangerousV6]

Originally posted by eDoog:
Okay, I talked with my mom's fiance for like an hour (he's been working on cars for 20 some years) and he says that I should first get the shocks and then swaybars. He says as soon as you start to lower the car, the comfort of the ride drops. I don't need it to be stiff as hell, I just want to kill the body roll and take corners a little quicker. Basically he said go step by step (which is cool because he's going to help me install everything).

Thanks for all the input though. I' won't be getting that eibach kit of ebay... hopefully the auction I found will help someone else though.

yeah...i would go shocks first..then the sway bars if you still want them..just my opinion...check my home page for my suspension setup [img]smile.gif[/img] ..the actual shocks are still factory...but that will change eventually