Bilstein B12 v Coilovers for public road only use?

[NU51]

Hiya guys,

I've got a facelift 2002 Galant 2.5 v6 Elegance Auto.

After the planned brake upgrade (see url below) is completed my next improvement will be sorting out the wollowy suspension.
http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47112

The car is purely a public road car (no track days) so I don't want 'jiggle ya bones /woot ' stiff suspension.
Just looking for something to make it feel more planted and inspire more confidence in it
(which it currently does not at high speeds on A roads, never mind on country B roads).

As a ballpark I'm looking for a ride something akin to mk2 RS2000 escort (yep, I'm THAT old :whistle: ) / standard Peugeot 309 GTI (if that helps give you an idea)

I've read that a lot of people with non VR4s highly recommend the Bilstein B12 upgrade. I was thinking of going with B8 shocks mated to Eibach Pro Kit Springs because of the springs being progressive.

I've never done a suspension job before so will either have a mechanic friend help (more like me help him :d ) or I may have a local garage job do the job for me.
Would I also be needing 1 of these Pro Alignment kits to have the job done right?
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=629491

Now.... here comes the anal part /hammer
I'm no kiddie anymore so I don't want the car to scream boy racer tuned mobile. No offence to you young uns out there who possibly have such cars (for track use too), but I've been there, done that, lost the t-shirt and bits left over after crashing :whistle: but I now desire a more sedate looking vehicuuule (don't want to look like the old guys in the pimped up car on Harry Enfield tv advert /duh ) so ....

I don't want bright yellow/red (whatever colour) suspension to stand out like a sore thumb. Painting the Biltsein bright yellow dampers black should not pose a problem for me so my question is the colour of the Eibach Pro Kit springs, are they black as shown on the internet pages?
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/products/product_info.mhtml?product=4020596

and can the Bilstein B8's be ordered with black rubber gaitors rather than the blue? or can different colour gaitors be bought as a separate item?

OR.... option 2

Given that the Bilstein B12 kit ain't cheaper than some of the coilover deals these days would a BC Coilover kit like below be a better option?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360241537361

I wouldn't have to faff on painting stuff with the BC Coilover option but I'm a little concerned that the BC Coilovers may be a bit OTT for a road only car, resulting in having to faff on with settings and even then possibly never attaining ride comfort on par with the B12 kit.

In addition to the suspension I may also add heavier duty front and rear anti-roll/sway bars.

Your experience and advice would be most appreciated.

cheers guys

(p.s. hope i haven't offended any of you who have 1 of these road going go-carts/hifi's /catfight .... it was fun for me too till the years caught up with me :violin: )

[peter thomson]

That camber kit will not fit our cars. Best thing to do would be to check the alignment after fitting and carry out the diy mod for the rear camber if required and buy the front camber adjusters as seen in Gly's articles in the members section

[NU51]

thanks for the advice Peter,

I'll do what you said.

cheers

[chris g]

Get bilstein shocks and tein springs as done by Kieran and then by myself

Bilsten shocks for lower springs and tein springs fit the bill

Yellow shocks and green springs do not show with wheels on

Gives good ride and improved handling

Check Kieran's thread re upgrade

EDIT - assuming that they fit your Galant

[NU51]

thx Chris,

oooh, Bilsteins with Teins. I'll search for Kieran's thread.

I can understand that it's probable I won't be able to see the springs but am surprised i won't be able to see any of the shock tho
(may have to pop into garage for a quick look see of the current setup :D )

However, as I said, IF i can see the shocks I don't mind painting them.
cheers

[NU51]

i found and read Kieran's thread.
(http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18305)
very interesting and helpful.

however, reading through it carefully i get the distinct impression that the Tein springs were necessary because of the extra weight of the VR4.

if fitting the Bilstein B8 / Tein combo on a lighter non VR4, could it be possible that the Tein's would have the opposite effect, resulting in a higher front end and a stiffer a ride?

[chris g]

I must admit I never go around bending over to check shock absorbers

And say how colourful they are...

[NU51]

hiya Chris,

yup, sorry, I know it sounds anal (no, in fact i know it's anal but that's me, I can't help it) :whistle:

it appears having a mate who used to work on yanky 'show' motors had an adverse effect on me and some of his OTT attention to detail rubbed off on me. :huh2:

[MPBVr4]

Just bought some Eibach ProSport springs and they are definately black. Not for a Galant though. (These were for a Scooby musn't say it too loud on here). Apparently a better ride than Teins.

[chris g]

Will check for visible colour and let you know what I can see...

[chris g]

Eibachs are good stuff...

Had them on MR2

And std upgrade for Focus ST... and approved by Ford

EDIT: And for those of you who remember the MR2 and enjoyed, hopefully, a lap around the Ring, it has finally been sold to a sports car enthusiast - he has a Lotus - so he will not be used to the reliability

[NU51]

Just bought some Eibach ProSport springs and they are definately black. Not for a Galant though. (These were for a Scooby musn't say it too loud on here). Apparently a better ride than Teins.

Thx for the input!
I don't think us brits are like the yanks where brand loyalty such as Ford vs Chevy arguments could possibly lead to 'handbags at dawn' /catfight ;)

[psbarham]

i had a set of PI springs on my v6 saloon and they were spot on, nice and smooth with more than enough roll control where it mattered

[bradc]

You won't need the camber adjustment unless you are going really low. I wouldn't worry about it until you've chosen your ride height.

Going with coil overs isn't a bad idea, you get adjustable shocks to change how hard the suspension is to suit your tastes and at the same time you can change the ride height to also suit what you want.

[NU51]

Damn! The Bilstein B12 kit is no longer available for the Galant :(
and quotes for the B8 shocks with Eibach springs are circa 'ouch' £650!!!
meaning the BC-Racing coilover kit is cheaper! :speechles

Considering prices, is the BC-Coilover kit a better buy even for a 'road only' car or would I still be better of with the Bilstein/Eibach combo for road ride comfort?

cheers

[bradc]

Go for the BC kit. The shocks will be adjustable from soft and wallowy to harsh and track ready.