Bilstein B14
22 January 2014, 06:09 PM
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Bilstein B14
What are peoples' thoughts on these?
I've currently got BC ER coilovers on my car, I bought them because I saw they had independent rebound and compression adjustability so thought they would help me get the best from my car.
In hindsight, at my level of track driving they've probably been far too much overkill for me, and the levels of adjustability only plants seeds of doubt in my mind when trying to improve the car and my driving. Additionally the ER's have got solid camber plates on the rear which transmit a bit too much noise into the cabin for my liking.
With that in mind, I'm considering a fixed rate alternative. Something which has rideheight adjustment but a factory tuned standard damping rate which cannot be changed.
Bilsteins' B14 comes heavily recommended from Chevron - but wanted to hear some other reports on them.
They come supplied without topmounts, which I guess means that the Impreza fitment is pretty standard? I guess all newage cars would use the same B14 and simply buy appropriate top mounts for the rear? I'd like to use the OEM rubber top mounts at the rear of the car.
I've currently got my BC ER's in the classifieds, if they sell i'll be looking to replace them sharpish - so recommendations welcome.
I've currently got BC ER coilovers on my car, I bought them because I saw they had independent rebound and compression adjustability so thought they would help me get the best from my car.
In hindsight, at my level of track driving they've probably been far too much overkill for me, and the levels of adjustability only plants seeds of doubt in my mind when trying to improve the car and my driving. Additionally the ER's have got solid camber plates on the rear which transmit a bit too much noise into the cabin for my liking.
With that in mind, I'm considering a fixed rate alternative. Something which has rideheight adjustment but a factory tuned standard damping rate which cannot be changed.
Bilsteins' B14 comes heavily recommended from Chevron - but wanted to hear some other reports on them.
They come supplied without topmounts, which I guess means that the Impreza fitment is pretty standard? I guess all newage cars would use the same B14 and simply buy appropriate top mounts for the rear? I'd like to use the OEM rubber top mounts at the rear of the car.
I've currently got my BC ER's in the classifieds, if they sell i'll be looking to replace them sharpish - so recommendations welcome.
22 January 2014, 10:12 PM
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Cheers guys, Dave I've got the rollcentre kit already so with any luck I'll be good to go.
I did read some of your older posts regarding the B14's when you first got them, being a bit bouncy etc. Is that something you've adapted to, or dialled out with settings/more upgrades?
I did read some of your older posts regarding the B14's when you first got them, being a bit bouncy etc. Is that something you've adapted to, or dialled out with settings/more upgrades?
22 January 2014, 11:39 PM
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Cheers guys, Dave I've got the rollcentre kit already so with any luck I'll be good to go.
I did read some of your older posts regarding the B14's when you first got them, being a bit bouncy etc. Is that something you've adapted to, or dialled out with settings/more upgrades?
I did read some of your older posts regarding the B14's when you first got them, being a bit bouncy etc. Is that something you've adapted to, or dialled out with settings/more upgrades?
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23 January 2014, 04:32 AM
#8
I had the rc kit and white line droplinks and had the rideheight all done at the same time..Bonesetter seems to know what he is talking about when it comes to suspension.How far are you from Chevron motorsport their name seems to always appear when suspension setup is mentioned
I think they are in Stafford.
I think they are in Stafford.
23 January 2014, 08:36 AM
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Bilstein are great suspension, but I do find that non adjustable suspension are a compromise no matter how you do it.
To have a damper that is comfortable on the road, and responsive on track, will require some sort of adjustment to change the shape of the damping curve.
While Bilstein are great, I do find their fix dampers a bit too gear toward motorsport (square curve) and therefore aren't the most comfortable for the road.
We had replace quite a few Bilstein OEM dampers because of the ride quality on other makes an models (Mazda MX5 being the biggest).
I am not sure on their B14 as they may have adjust the curve down a bit to make the dampers a bit more road compliant, but in general Bilstein stick to a pretty motorsport valving due to their pedigree (at least according to their engineers that we had a chat with).
Like you said, 2-way suspension is way over kill for road.
Actually, I don't think it is classify as overkill; I classify it as incorrect application because you could end up with so much variance that it could potential be dangerous for road use.
But then I do think a 1-way adjustable for road use isn't bad at all.
It will allow the user to dial in their prefer setup for the everyday road use, and then give them the option to make the compromise for the occasional track days or days you feel like you want to give up comfort for chassis response.
An adjustable damper mean the compromise are decided by the driver and can be alter base on his preference.
An non-adjustable damper mean the compromise are made by the engineering (or now a days the marketing dept) and cannot be alter.
Having a single adjustable damper just seems it is so much more flexible.
Just my 2p and something for you to think about.
Jerrick
To have a damper that is comfortable on the road, and responsive on track, will require some sort of adjustment to change the shape of the damping curve.
While Bilstein are great, I do find their fix dampers a bit too gear toward motorsport (square curve) and therefore aren't the most comfortable for the road.
We had replace quite a few Bilstein OEM dampers because of the ride quality on other makes an models (Mazda MX5 being the biggest).
I am not sure on their B14 as they may have adjust the curve down a bit to make the dampers a bit more road compliant, but in general Bilstein stick to a pretty motorsport valving due to their pedigree (at least according to their engineers that we had a chat with).
Like you said, 2-way suspension is way over kill for road.
Actually, I don't think it is classify as overkill; I classify it as incorrect application because you could end up with so much variance that it could potential be dangerous for road use.
But then I do think a 1-way adjustable for road use isn't bad at all.
It will allow the user to dial in their prefer setup for the everyday road use, and then give them the option to make the compromise for the occasional track days or days you feel like you want to give up comfort for chassis response.
An adjustable damper mean the compromise are decided by the driver and can be alter base on his preference.
An non-adjustable damper mean the compromise are made by the engineering (or now a days the marketing dept) and cannot be alter.
Having a single adjustable damper just seems it is so much more flexible.
Just my 2p and something for you to think about.
Jerrick
23 January 2014, 08:52 AM
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Jerrick, very helpful as usual - thanks for that
I really want to make the right choice here, as I spent a fair amount on the BC's already and various setups - probably set me back £2k so far.
My Car has been over to Stafford once already, not a quick journey - almost three hours. Whatever coilovers I decide on, they will probably be doing my setup for me again - Simon REALLY knows his stuff.
He's confident that the B14's will be suitable for me, but I always try to get an array of opinions etc as there is so much choice out on the market.
I really want to make the right choice here, as I spent a fair amount on the BC's already and various setups - probably set me back £2k so far.
I had the rc kit and white line droplinks and had the rideheight all done at the same time..Bonesetter seems to know what he is talking about when it comes to suspension.How far are you from Chevron motorsport their name seems to always appear when suspension setup is mentioned
I think they are in Stafford.
I think they are in Stafford.
He's confident that the B14's will be suitable for me, but I always try to get an array of opinions etc as there is so much choice out on the market.
23 January 2014, 10:09 AM
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My car was transformed at Chevron, no doubt. Regrettably I've not been on track since but hope to change that within the next month or so.
I've just got this nagging feeling always chipping away at me, I've essentially got 32*32 adjustments on each corner with regards to damping rates and I'm nowhere close to consistent enough to think about such a granular scale. Perhaps fixed rate is too far in the other direction, and some 1 way adjustment is called for.
So much choice
I've just got this nagging feeling always chipping away at me, I've essentially got 32*32 adjustments on each corner with regards to damping rates and I'm nowhere close to consistent enough to think about such a granular scale. Perhaps fixed rate is too far in the other direction, and some 1 way adjustment is called for.
So much choice
23 January 2014, 12:50 PM
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I've tried both CDF droplinks and now whiteline adjustable ones (with the track rod end style bearing) and still got a noisy back end.
Seems to be top mounts, so hard to be sure though.
Seems to be top mounts, so hard to be sure though.
23 January 2014, 07:45 PM
#22
Sorry to hijack the thread 
Can anyone help identify these, they're probably very old. Its 1996 RA and I'm pretty sure they were fitted when the car was in Japan. Quality ride but a bit firm. I was wondering if they can be serviced and parts are available?
Cusco top mounts too, not noisy either. I don't think they're noisy, you cant hear much over the engine and the interior trim rattling.
Can anyone help identify these, they're probably very old. Its 1996 RA and I'm pretty sure they were fitted when the car was in Japan. Quality ride but a bit firm. I was wondering if they can be serviced and parts are available?
Cusco top mounts too, not noisy either. I don't think they're noisy, you cant hear much over the engine and the interior trim rattling.
23 January 2014, 07:52 PM
#24
Sorry to hijack the thread
Can anyone help identify these, they're probably very old. Its 1996 RA and I'm pretty sure they were fitted when the car was in Japan. Quality ride but a bit firm. I was wondering if they can be serviced and parts are available?
Cusco top mounts too, not noisy either. I don't think they're noisy, you cant hear much over the engine and the interior trim rattling.
Can anyone help identify these, they're probably very old. Its 1996 RA and I'm pretty sure they were fitted when the car was in Japan. Quality ride but a bit firm. I was wondering if they can be serviced and parts are available?
Cusco top mounts too, not noisy either. I don't think they're noisy, you cant hear much over the engine and the interior trim rattling.
What do the stickers say?
Joe
23 January 2014, 09:14 PM
#29
Sorry to hijack the thread
Can anyone help identify these, they're probably very old. Its 1996 RA and I'm pretty sure they were fitted when the car was in Japan. Quality ride but a bit firm. I was wondering if they can be serviced and parts are available?
Cusco top mounts too, not noisy either. I don't think they're noisy, you cant hear much over the engine and the interior trim rattling.
Can anyone help identify these, they're probably very old. Its 1996 RA and I'm pretty sure they were fitted when the car was in Japan. Quality ride but a bit firm. I was wondering if they can be serviced and parts are available?
Cusco top mounts too, not noisy either. I don't think they're noisy, you cant hear much over the engine and the interior trim rattling.
Hi there
They're Bilstein for sure,which model I don't know,but they should be easily serviceable by Bilstein and many other companies
I would speak with them directly on this Tel.number: 01455 283407
Jura
