Bilstein HD and lowering springs

**JayTA98** · 07-03-2012, 07:33 AM

Ok so I finished installing my new bilsteins HD's from ws6 store. I have stock springs in the rear and eibachs in the front. So far i like the ride. I want to get something clear. Can Bilsteins HD be used with eibach or other aftermarket springs? I keep reading that bilsteins HD are designed for stock springs and only the SLP bilsteins are for lowering springs.

I did noticed the box that ws6 store sent me it had SLP tape all over it. the individual boxes for the rear springs had SLP tape as well. The front ones were sealed with regular transparent tape. I don't think the kit i got from
ws6store is revalved or SLP since they sell a SLP kit with eibach springs. I did contact them and they told me that the HD can be used with with aftermarket springs and there is not a big difference between the HD's or the SLP besides they come with the springs. Anyone has heard the same?

I just want to make sure the front shocks are going to last. If they are no designed for eibachs then I will install OEM springs. Not that I don't trust ws6store but I never purchased from them before. Thanks.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-04-2012, 04:02 PM

The SLP bilsteins and HD bilsteins are actually the same thing one is just made for SLP so what you have are slp bilsteins. If the box has SLP tape on it then they are the slp bilsteins. So to answer your question, yes you can use lowering springs on them. I have slp bilsteins with vogtland springs. I have been told the same as you by the WS6 store and other people.

**JayTA98** · 07-05-2012, 06:12 AM

Thanks. how long you had the setup? I do DD with my car.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-06-2012, 04:34 AM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

Thanks. how long you had the setup? I do DD with my car.

I have had it for about six months or so and I did DD my car when I first put it on.

**Redrokit8** · 07-06-2012, 05:26 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

The SLP bilsteins and HD bilsteins are actually the same thing one is just made for SLP so what you have are slp bilsteins. If the box has SLP tape on it then they are the slp bilsteins. So to answer your question, yes you can use lowering springs on them. I have slp bilsteins with vogtland springs. I have been told the same as you by the WS6 store and other people.

Yes, I also was confused at first between the two.SLP no longer re-valves the Bilsteins. I got Strano springs and SLP packaged shocks from Steve and he told me they're both the same. Actually I believe the biggest part of your lowering will show up in the rear. IMO the front springs are not as much of a drop. That's the way I see it after my install. Also I think you would want to have matching spring mfg's front to back.

**JayTA98** · 07-06-2012, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Redrokit8

Yes, I also was confused at first between the two.SLP no longer re-valves the Bilsteins. I got Strano springs and SLP packaged shocks from Steve and he told me they're both the same. Actually I believe the biggest part of your lowering will show up in the rear. IMO the front springs are not as much of a drop. That's the way I see it after my install. Also I think you would want to have matching spring mfg's front to back.

Thanks for the input. I tried lowering spring on the rear 2 yrs ago. The car was scraping alot on speedbumps and was bottoming out. So i put brand new OEM ones. I had dropped the front and took it to get it aligned. Now of course i didn't had the bilsteins back then to compare the rear springs. So far so good with the bilsteins I really like the ride. The front springs are still eibachs and they are not too bad. I'm trying them out for a bit. I might put OEM's back to see if it feels better. I don't race or do track time. I know is not a comfortable ride but I'm trying to make it as nice as possible. I'm also thinking that if i do headers it might be too low. I know is like 1.5 inches but it can make a difference.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-06-2012, 07:56 PM

I am lowered 1.2" and I can fit a coke can under my headers for sure but my exhaust is really tucked up there.

**JayTA98** · 07-07-2012, 03:53 AM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I am lowered 1.2" and I can fit a coke can under my headers for sure but my exhaust is really tucked up there.

which headers do you have? nvm i read your signature. OBX's. hey did you bought the vogtland springs here in the US?

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-07-2012, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I am lowered 1.2" and I can fit a coke can under my headers for sure but my exhaust is really tucked up there.

which headers do you have? nvm i read your signature. OBX's. hey did you bought the vogtland springs here in the US?

I got the vogtland springs from the WS6store, so yes.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-08-2012, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by 98TransAmWs-6

I am lowered 1.2" and I can fit a coke can under my headers for sure but my exhaust is really tucked up there.

That's pretty good. Have you actually done this or just guessing? I am lowered 1.2" with Stranos and I have Kooks headers which tuck up real tight and at the lowest point of my collector I only have about 3/4 of a pop can clearance.

I've never scrapped or bottomed out either.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-09-2012, 09:13 AM

I would have to double check but I believe when I first put them on a coke can did fit.

**Redrokit8** · 07-09-2012, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

That's pretty good. Have you actually done this or just guessing? I am lowered 1.2" with Stranos and I have Kooks headers which tuck up real tight and at the lowest point of my collector I only have about 3/4 of a pop can clearance.

I've never scrapped or bottomed out either.

I've got the identical set up as Jon. I've got to tell you that when I was under the car the other day there is a very impressive, professionally done scrape that goes from the end of the Y Pipe all the way back to the rear axle. So, you've gotta, or I gotta, be mindful of wide speed bumps and raised driveway entrances.
I'm assuming that a beer can is also ok to use ?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-09-2012, 04:52 PM

I believe they are the same height. I'm always careful driving up or backing out of driveways. I rarely drive over speed bumps, but I have and I cleared. My cross-member to my torque arm used to hit on things after I was lowered as it had a large dip in it where the exhaust went through it for clearance. The dip wasn't needed though so I heated the bar and straightened it. I haven't scraped on anything since. As you know, mine is not driven daily and when it is, I'm usually on smoother city roads and the highways.

I also back out of my driveway slow as the curb is raised pretty good. I bet if I left the driveway hard I might hit. I'll post a pic of my current clearance here shortly.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 07-09-2012, 04:57 PM

Clearance up front of the intercooler piping, head unit and intake:

Lowest point of the exhaust:

**JayTA98** · 07-11-2012, 06:58 AM

Hey question about clearances since we are talking about it. I have the OEM 16inch 5 spoke wheels. If I have lowering springs will it cause a fitment issue if I put 17 inch wheels like the ones on the WS6 model?

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-11-2012, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

Hey question about clearances since we are talking about it. I have the OEM 16inch 5 spoke wheels. If I have lowering springs will it cause a fitment issue if I put 17 inch wheels like the ones on the WS6 model?

No it won't. I have 20 inch wheels and I am still fine. I will take a picture of rear wheel clearance since the front is in the air.

**JayTA98** · 07-11-2012, 07:13 PM

i was more concern with the front clearance. The rears have plenty of room.

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-11-2012, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

i was more concern with the front clearance. The rears have plenty of room.

Here are some pictures of the front. You can fit about a hand maybe two between it and the fender. For some reason the drivers side is lower, I haven't had an alignment since I have done shocks/springs maybe that is.