Bilstein SLP shock/strut users experiences?

**thomasterrible** · 05-21-2011, 05:29 PM

I have a stock low mileage 98 TA WS6 and am limiting upgrades to easily reverseable items.

I am interested in anyones experience using these shocks on their cars.

I have used Bilsteins on my vettes before with good results. Koni's are a bit expensive for me. So I am leaning towards these but would like to hear from those that have used them first.

Thanks in advance

**98maro** · 05-21-2011, 05:35 PM

I haven't had any experience with then but many people say good comments about them. I'll be buying them sometime soon.
If you can't afford or don't want to buy konis the best option would be the slp billsteins.

**thomasterrible** · 05-21-2011, 05:43 PM

Yes I did think about the Koni's but the cost is not even close, even on sale. I like the GSD3 tires I have on it but am looking for better handling so in keeping with the stock intent the Bilstein's sound like a good option but before buying just wanted to hear about user experiences before laying out the cash.
Thanks,T

**az gt eater** · 05-21-2011, 06:34 PM

Love mine.

**thomasterrible** · 05-21-2011, 07:51 PM

I guess a good second question to ask where is the best price on a set of these. In net searches I have found some sellers. Also so far no store has listed shipping cost (if any) unless I were to go through the registration and ordering process.

**98maro** · 05-21-2011, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by thomasterrible

I guess a good second question to ask where is the best price on a set of these. In net searches I have found some sellers. Also so far no store has listed shipping cost (if any) unless I were to go through the registration and ordering process.

check the sponsors here.. i talked to afterthoughts.com very helpful people ask them all the questions you have,,

konis are not on my list iether could be the best, but im not paying almost $1000 for shocks

**snake_skinner00** · 05-22-2011, 05:52 AM

I just upgraded from stock to the Bilstein HD shock/strut package and the Vogtland Spring set. VERY pleased with mine. My rear shocks were dead anyways and the car rode rough, but now its back to smooth again. The springs lowered the car about an inch and a half all around. I couldn't be happier with the set-up. Got all of it from the WS6Store.com website for about $620 total.

**j nix** · 05-22-2011, 05:56 AM

I got the Bilstein HD's for my 02 T/A. The are great. I put on Eibach Prokit with them. Drives very smooth now and in Michigan where the road are bad, when I hit cracks and bumps in the road you don't feel it in the body of the car where I felt it with my worn out out stock shocks. Konis were pretty pricy for me too. I would consider them if I had a lot of money or if I was doing competition. Just my opinion. Oh yeah, I got the best price from ws6store, too. They were at my house in like 2 days. $374.99 at the time. I think they were on sale.

**az gt eater** · 05-22-2011, 05:16 PM

ws6store here, too. cant go wrong with them.
I did ball joints, tie rod ends, and all new suspension bushings at the same time. Drives like new. You can do ball joints and tie rod ends very easily. They were cheap, my old ones were wore out, and it was simply a matter of putting the new parts in instead of the old ones. FYI, i had to hone the lower ball joint sockets a little to get them within pressing range. The replacement ball joints are pretty big. Both aftermarket and GM. I used a cordless drill and a volkswagon cylinder hone. And a micrometer of course.

**BRICKYARDDTX** · 06-04-2011, 07:24 PM

I'm on my second set of replacement Bilsteins (95k miles). First I absolutely love them! Second I spoke to my distributor, and Bilstein for my last set and they said there's nothing different from what's listed on the Bilstein website & the SLP Bilstein's (same manf part#)...The only other brand I would think of is Ohlins. I've been talking to them about using my car as the protptype. I imagine retail would be about $1000 based on what they charge for motorcycle shocks.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 06-05-2011, 06:16 PM

OP - check out www.kyspeed.com or send Mark on here a PM and ask about pricing. He will price match any site I believe and also he has free shipping.

His screen name on here is markls1ta.

**02transamce** · 06-05-2011, 07:04 PM

Do slp/bilstein spring and shock package lower the car?i need to replace the shocks and want to upgrade from the factory de Carbons but don't want to lower the car. ws6store does have a good price on the package.
Posted via Mobile Device

**thomasterrible** · 06-05-2011, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

OP - check out www.kyspeed.com or send Mark on here a PM and ask about pricing. He will price match any site I believe and also he has free shipping.

His screen name on here is markls1ta.

Thanks for everyones input. The Bilsteins are what I was thinking and it seems everyone else likes them too. I will have to investigate the issue of whether there is any difference between an SLP and HD shock as was brought up here. Also when I went to the kyspeed site they had yet another one that was called "optional level 2" rears for 96-00 Fbodies. What difference and why the strange 00 cutoff date I will try to figure out.

My car has 34K miles and I have kept it stock in case it is ever worth anything but things tires, shocks, brake pads are easy enough to keep the stock ones and still have a bit of improvement while driving it.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 06-05-2011, 07:10 PM

I forgot an S in his SN...

marksls1ta

I would have to read up on the differences in the Bilstein shocks. I know a lot of people on here who have the SLP one's and they were happy.

I run Koni 4/4's with Strano springs. Most people will tell you that Bilstein are the 2nd best shock you can get.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 06-05-2011, 07:17 PM

From what I've gathered, HD's are for stock springs and Bilstein Sport (SP's) are for lowering springs.

**thomasterrible** · 06-05-2011, 07:25 PM

That is important because obviously if I am running stock springs I want to make sure I get the correct ones. I can't/won't pay the money for the Koni's. My Vette with Z-51 package used Bilstein shocks and they were great so I have no trouble believing they will be very nice in this car.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 06-05-2011, 07:29 PM

when you call the vendor, just double check on that. Let us know how it goes!

**thomasterrible** · 06-05-2011, 07:41 PM

Will do, thanks. I am trying to finish up a custom Dual BiXenon HID retrofit on my motorcycle so I can ride it but will be figuring it out when I get this finished to I can get riding out in the sun!

**transamtom** · 06-06-2011, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by thomasterrible

Thanks for everyones input. The Bilsteins are what I was thinking and it seems everyone else likes them too. I will have to investigate the issue of whether there is any difference between an SLP and HD shock as was brought up here. Also when I went to the kyspeed site they had yet another one that was called "optional level 2" rears for 96-00 Fbodies. What difference and why the strange 00 cutoff date I will try to figure out.

My car has 34K miles and I have kept it stock in case it is ever worth anything but things tires, shocks, brake pads are easy enough to keep the stock ones and still have a bit of improvement while driving it.

The WS6 Pkg was installed by SLP at plant close to the GM St Therese Plant from 1996-2000.

ASC Corporation did the 2001-2002 cars.

**The Guz** · 06-06-2011, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

From what I've gathered, HD's are for stock springs and Bilstein Sport (SP's) are for lowering springs.

This is correct. Although you can use either one with stock springs. The springs in the SLP package lower the car about 3/4". Some have said that the rear sits lower with the SLP eibachs.