Bilstein B8 -> Koni/GC

[vtecing]

very interested to see these fitted, can you please do before and after. I skipped a few pages, can you tell me if these are height adjustable?

[MM89]

what are you referring to when you say before and after?
these are height adjustable through circlip grooves on the shock body, where the circlip sits and the ground control snaps on.

the ground control kit allows you to adjust the height by adjusting the preload of the spring, however i don't think the adjustment of the preload is designed for aesthetic purposes.
however, setting more preload will raise the car and less preload will lower the car.

[MM89]

just wondering..

on the stock shocks, the dust boot fits between the thick washer and the thin washer.

on the koni's, no dustboots have been provided and i have heard of people's steering rack boots or modified stock dust boots rub against the spring.
to my understanding, there is no issue in not using a dust boot as many have done so in the past without any dramas.

since i won't be using a dustboot either, that means there won't be anything in between the thick and thin washers.
is it imperative for something to be in between or may i go without one, without having any side effects.

this is something that people haven't mentioned when they don't use dustboots, whether or not something (such as a rubber washer) should go in between the two washers.

cheers

[vinnY]

^nope no need

problem with finding dust boots is finding ones that are no bigger than 2.5" OD to fit under there
i gave up looking after buying a set and not using it

[MM89]

SWEET!! thanks vinnY, i knew it would be either you or string to my rescue! haha

shall be on by tomorrow!

[vinnY]

just a word of advice incase you don't already know

the front shocks, remember to tap off the stock bottom mounts(ring bit that helps position the bottom forks on the shock)
i ran without it for ages without a problem but i still wouldn't recommend it

[MM89]

thanks vinny, yeah i did that so i didn't need to cable tie the brake hose bracket.

i just finished installing these after i came home from work..haven't had a drive yet.
I've set the spring preload to the minimum, so that the spring sits down without moving around. not much lower than stock.
Will have to see how much difference there is after a quick drive though.

[mocchi]

thanks vinny, yeah i did that so i didn't need to cable tie the brake hose bracket.

i just finished installing these after i came home from work..haven't had a drive yet.
I've set the spring preload to the minimum, so that the spring sits down without moving around. not much lower than stock.
Will have to see how much difference there is after a quick drive though.

so how did you go?
how do you set preload on springs anyway?

[mocchi]

I see. Thanks for the reply.

I have since been convinced that Koni Yellow+GC+custom rates+top hats is the way I wanna go. Anybody have much experience with the use of this combo? 430lb/in seems to be the most that Ground Control offers for EG. However, If the application is for Integra, 545lb/in is available.

Similar to the B8, Koni Yellow will only take around 550lb/in springs anyway, unless re-valved. I was considering 430F/350R. I suppose ride height is less of an issue with this combination.

what would happen if the konis were installed with say.. 850lb/in springs?
or say.. 50lb/in springs?

[MM89]

i've set the preload of the spring according to the height that i would like it to be...from a performance point of view, probably not the best way to go about it - should be corner balanced

on an 850lb/in spring...it'd be bumpy on the roads, i haven't tried it, so i can't comment too much..but that's approx to 15kgf/mm...i'm on 500/550 and it's still bearable driving around..wouldn't wanna go more..

as for a 50lb/in spring, you would probably bottom out regardless of the ride height..

[mocchi]

on an 850lb/in spring...it'd be bumpy on the roads, i haven't tried it, so i can't comment too much..but that's approx to 15kgf/mm...i'm on 500/550 and it's still bearable driving around..wouldn't wanna go more..

as for a 50lb/in spring, you would probably bottom out regardless of the ride height..

i should've explain myself more clearly sorry, i meant in regards to shocks life not ride comfort.
for example, would the shock strut be overheated on a particular area because of suspension travels on same area all the time, instead of over whole strut, spreading heat over whole strut if that makes sense?

that means you chose your springs based on weight of car or approximation of how stiff you want your ride to be?
not based on the shocks or shock travel?

damn im confusing.

reason that im so curious about your setup and your spring choice is because i've got some shocks that needs some springs.
and wondering if stock itr springs is too soft for the shocks.

the shocks have 13cm of full shock travel, bump stop is 7cm give or take a mm.
so thats about 6mm of play. hmmm.. im worried that itr springs will be too soft and hits bump stops all the time
over potholes or speed humps.

maybe i should measure stock itr shock travel and the bump stop.. hmm mind leap isnt happening.

help! lol

[MM89]

I think stock itr front rate is 250lb/in linear and same for the rear but it is progressive which I'm sure you would know
I remember someone saying on HT that running stock itr springs on the spss3 shocks were fine, no bottoming or hitting bump stops.
What shocks are they?