My dad is telling me I should get new shocks>>

[hawgs]

Originally posted by Stefan:
Why are people recommending BMW parts companies when we have suppliers that cater specifically to V6 F-Bodies right in our backyard? We choose our site sponsors carefully, 99.99% of the parts your F-Body could ever need are carried by them.

For Bilsteins, you have two options: the regular F-Body set and the SLP F-Body set (made by Bilstein to SLP's specifications). I personally have the Bilstein SLP set and they are terrific! I have had them for five years now and they still perform good as new. The difference between the SLP set and the regular is the SLP's are a bit more streetable--not quite as aggressive. I opted for the SLP variant because with full Hotchkis sway bars and Eibach springs, my suspension was firm enough.

TByrne carries both variants of Bilsteins. Check their V6 Suspension section for details. $485.99 for the regular Bilsteins and $389.99 for the SLP Bilsteins.

But while you're swapping shocks, might as well swap springs too and make it a once-and-for-all job. Eibach Pro Kit is $229.00 from Thunder. The drawback (if you see this is a drawback) is that these will drop your ride about an inch. You have a 98 V6 so the part number for the Eibach Pro Kit is 3870.240.

If you want to stiffen your ride without lowering your car, GM 1LE springs should do just that. I personally am a fan of lowering, so I recommend Eibach all the way...

100 bucks worth of difference is enough to make me shop through a non site sponsor.

[cboney2003]

I just got a set of SLP Take off front struts and rear shocks shipped to my door in three days UPS for $85. They're being put on as I type this and I will let you know how much better/worse/same they are.

[imported_admin]

Originally posted by hawgs:
100 bucks worth of difference is enough to make me shop through a non site sponsor.

I don't think the part numbers you guys are checking on BMW websites are correct...

[imported_admin]

Originally posted by RancidCamaro:
I have read the various install guides for replacing springs and shocks... It doesn't seem like too difficult of a job. Did you install yours yourself? I'll be giving a whack at installing my new Hotchkis and Bilsteins in the middle of March, and I wanted to have an opinion on the job I'm in for...

Rear is easy, front is very dangerous. From the Modifications Encyclopedia:

One thing to note is that if you are going with springs it is a good idea to get your shocks at the same time and thus save money on installation costs (unless you are going to install them yourself, which can be extremely dangerous if you do not know what you are doing as a compressed spring can suddenly come loose and cut you in half with 2,000 pounds of compressed pressure--no joke, people have died doing this). Installation costs are typically $200 to $250.

You have to use special tools to decompress the spring. People on this board have done it, I haven't and I wouldn't...

[hawgs]

Originally posted by Stefan:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by hawgs:
100 bucks worth of difference is enough to make me shop through a non site sponsor.

I don't think the part numbers you guys are checking on BMW websites are correct... </font>[/QUOTE]I can scan a copy of LordoftheBlings recipt showing purchase from them and take a picture of his car with them on... they are selling the correct shocks. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Originally posted by Stefan:
You have to use special tools to decompress the spring. People on this board have done it, I haven't and I wouldn't...

Front shocks are not that hard. You can rent the tool from Autozone and it works like a charm. Just use caution and don't fool around. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[imported_admin]

Originally posted by hawgs:
I can scan a copy of LordoftheBlings recipt showing purchase from them and take a picture of his car with them on... they are selling the correct shocks. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well, I got mine direct from SLP on a blowout sale for $170 on 2/15/99 (I could scan the invoice if you want it, I keep them all in my "modifications" file). Part number 70008, set of four. Today their price is $399.99. Guess you need to know where to look...

Originally posted by hawgs:
Front shocks are not that hard. You can rent the tool from Autozone and it works like a charm. Just use caution and don't fool around.

You're seriously going to advise someone who has never used a spring decompressor before to go to Auto Zone and rent one??? :eek: A buddy of mine had his father die doing this... this is one of those tools that you don't just learn by renting and screwing around. Unless you're a trained mechanic, do NOT attempt this at home! Getting ripped in half by a spring that is flying with the force of a cannonball through your midsection and out lodging itself into a concrete wall ten feet behind you is NOT fun!

[hawgs]

We'll have to agree to disagree then. I don't think its hard. I will be installing mine myself with a rented tool from AutoZone

There are risks envolved in doing it yourself, just like anytime you work on your car, and all directions should be read. If you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself, then don't do it yourself.

[ March 01, 2004, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: hawgs ]

[Chrisz24]

I'm going to pay my mechanic to do it, firts time I'll have someone do anything other then install tires for me.

I'll have some more time to re search next week, keep the stuff rolling...

[AllTheGoodNamesAreGone]

dont rent a spring compressor..

I know you are taking it to get installed.. but if you change your mind here is what you do..

the rear springs dont need a compressor..

for the fronts remove the shock assembly.. and take it to a shop to have them undone and reassembled to the new shock..

reasons for doing this:
1) dont know how to use a spring compressor or feal unsafe using one..
2) installing those springs can be a PITA if the upper shock bolt was rusted to the shaft like mine
This is pretty typical of camaros on the passenger side..

plus if you are reallllly unlucky (like me) you will need to cut the shaft.. with the spring compressed.. now that took some major ballz and planning.. however after we cut the shaft the upper mount was fused to the shaft (probably from heat).. and those fockers are not cheep.. about $80-$100 form the dealer (the will be the only ones that have it)..

by taking it to a shop they will probably have the upper bolt removal tool that holds the shaft so you can really torque it if its rusted.. and get it off without messing up the mount..

I have done 3 full suspension installs on f-bodys.. and it still scares me to use a spring compressor..

is it difficult to use?? no..
is it easy to **** up... yes
is it wise to fear it.. yes

our stock front springs are not under that much of a load.. however.. if you are uncomfertable.. jsut take it to a shop and they can do it for you for probably under 1/2 of labor..

bottom line.. be carefull as ****..

[ March 02, 2004, 12:41 AM: Message edited by: AllTheGoodNamesAreGone ]

[Infernal]

I just ordered a set of SLP Bilsteins for my Camaro from TByrne. I'm always impressed with their service and speed of delivery.

Personally, even if they are a little more, I feel better going with someone who I know has been around, has a good reputation, and won't screw me if something is wrong with the order.

[LordoftheBling]

wtf why pay more for the same thing. site sponsers should take heed and see that they are being undercut. take the part number for the same bilsteins that you bought and go to bimmerparts and get the same thing for 100 dollars less. bimmerparts had the stuff here in 3 days with regular shipping. even though UPS said they couldnt find my house to deliver it.. :rolleyes: my order cost a little over 300 shipped to my door. there is no sponser that would do that..

and the install.. i installed the springs thj first time myself and it took forever on one side.. the other side i breezed through in maybe 45 minutes (no air tools) the second time when i changed shocks and put the eibach back on i was done with all 4 in less than 4 hours. springs compressors are so easy to use with alittle attention to detail anyone could do this.. and i have never heard of a spring compressor before i started and had never imagined i could change my own springs and shocks..

[Infernal]

A set of 4 of the regular Bilsteins for my car at your bimmerparts site comes to $476.00. TByrne sells them for $349.00.

What's more, as far as I can tell, bimmerparts doesn't even carry the SLP version, which is still significantly cheaper than the REGULAR version on bimmerparts.

So, honestly, I don't know WTF you're talking about.

[hawgs]

Honestly I dont know WTF youre talking about.

307 shipped to my door from bimmerparts.com

What in the hell are you looking at Infernal? :rolleyes:

[imported_admin]

Originally posted by LordoftheBling:
wtf why pay more for the same thing.

Its called paying for quality service and establishing positive business relationships that over time will save you more than being a cheap ***** and nickel & diming every supplier you come across. I have bought about 80% of both my car's and Jenn's car's parts from TByrne. Were they always the cheapest? No, not always. But have Tom, Carol, and Julie gone out of their way, time and time again, to help me out? Yes. I have gotten some incredible deals and they have really helped me out with some of the unique needs that I have had. Its called good business and in the long run it pays.

Originally posted by LordoftheBling:
site sponsers should take heed and see that they are being undercut. take the part number for the same bilsteins that you bought and go to bimmerparts and get the same thing for 100 dollars less.

And then get screwed when you need something else. All bimmerparts.com sells for F-Bodies is Bilstein shocks. Does it pay to establish a relationship with them? Um... yeah... :rolleyes: I'm sure you're going to be calling them again and again.

If you want to be a cheap ***** and go nickel & diming every single thing you buy, fine. But in the long run, while you may think you're getting the better deal, you're not. With the "I'm only paying the lowest cost" attitude you'll eventually get burned, and when you do it'll cost FAR more to repair than if you had dealt with a reputable business to begin with. In the long run, good business pays.

I am not saying this because I am a site administrator and TByrne is a sponsor. I am saying this because I am a professional Purchasing Analyst and that is the way business works out in the real world. Its all about relationships.

I say again: you are a fool if you buy parts for your F-Body from a BMW site. Period.

Originally posted by Infernal:
A set of 4 of the regular Bilsteins for my car at your bimmerparts site comes to $476.00.

Actually, Justin, you're looking at their "retail price". In this case their selling price is actually lower.

Originally posted by hawgs:
What in the hell are you looking at Infernal? :rolleyes:

Hawgs--how many times do I have to ban you before you learn? That's twice in the past two days that you are starting trouble in different forums. LOSE THE ATTITUDE OR GET LOST. :mad:

EDIT: And guess what... if it weren't for our sponsors like TByrne then this site wouldn't afford to be able to stay afloat. I paid the server bill for about the first year out of pocket, we eventually grew to the point that I refused to pay it all. And if this site didn't exist, you would never have known to even get Bilstein shocks, let alone at some BMW site. :rolleyes: Think about it. Support our sponsors and they will, directly or indirectly, support you.

[ March 04, 2004, 11:08 PM: Message edited by: Stefan ]

[Infernal]

Maybe their website is screwed up, or I'm looking at the wrong parts.

I was looking at front: Bilstein B46-1913, rear: B46-1914.

When I hit browse catalog, then hit Chevrolet, under Rear Mono-tube Gas Pressure Shock, B46-1914 is listed as $109, and under Front Mono-tube Gas Pressure Shock, is listed as $129.

Those prices are listed as "Your Price", and it appears that they are priced per shock, so I added to $476.00.

I'm probably looking at the wrong part numbers?

Either way, I stand by what I said in the previous post about ordering from TByrne.