NA Miata Bilstein

[POS Racing]

Does anyone happen to know the part numbers for the "original" Bilstein shocks for an NA?? Trying to find some and there seem to be more than one part number???

Could it be OEM vs. Replacements?

[sammm]

0000-04-5225-BL - front

0000-04-5226-BL - rear

[gabkwong]

To keep the TCB tradition, why not send them back for re-valve? Are they not supposed to be "worn out"? I saw something on the web saying the B not supposed to be worn out. However, some people, including me, replace them after 100K.

[POS Racing]

To keep the TCB tradition, why not send them back for re-valve?

I have to get some to send back first

[creek]

My factory Billies were totally trashed, bottomed out and stuck at 103k.
I replaced them with new Billie HDs, couldn't be happier. According to Shaik at Fat Cat Motorsports the original rears lacked upper quides that allowed the piston to get cocked to the side and jam if they were bottomed out. He said the HDs have about 20% more rebound damping and can handle spring rates as high as 450/350. I installed 240/150 and a NB sport front sway (.875) and really like them.

PS According to Fast Mike the guy who was doing his revalves at Bilstein died and the guys there now don't know what they are doing. He has heard a lot of complaints. That is what kept me from sending mine in.

[apex2apex]

PS According to Fast Mike the guy who was doing his revalves at Bilstein died and the guys there now don't know what they are doing. He has heard a lot of complaints. That is what kept me from sending mine in.

Just bought a set of bilstein HD, planning to send my original R pack's in for revalve for higher spring rates. Thanks for the head up, I have to look into that.

My original R pack shocks has around 86k miles on them, they feel fine. But I haven't taken the suspension apart to test them out.

[Darron65]

Yeah POS, why would you want vintage shocks anyway? Trying to trophy at a car show?

[POS Racing]

Yeah POS, why would you want vintage shocks anyway? Trying to trophy at a car show?

Yes, Yes I am!

[POS Racing]

Oops wait wrong car.

I wasn't sure what the difference was between the "old School" Bilstiens and the current ones. But I like what Creek has to say on the New ones!

[miata_racer]

Well my re-valved bilsteins were plenty good enough on my STS car :)

They know more than me...that's all I need :)

And they work great with my 700F/450R rates.

[motorollow]

I discovered not long ago that my 2001 Chevy conversion van had Bilsteins on it. I could not believe Chevy put them on. Maybe the conversion company put them on.

[larryd]

i believe chevy put bilsteins on special suspension packages, like the z71 and z24.

[MoonieGT]

I was considering buying the HD billsteins for my car and running them with stock springs until I can afford to send them off to Fat Cat for a custom revalve. Shaik told me the HD billsteins would be aweful with my stock springs and to just save my money until I can do it all at once.

Anyone running HD billsteins with stock springs care to comment on their experience?

[POS Racing]

Looking at his website I don't think he likes anything.

http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_app_guide.htm#Shocks

[creek]

I've run Bilstien HD's with stock springs, Tien Stechs and I'm about to try Ground Control coilovers at 375/250 on the same shocks. The factory springs worked great with the Billies but I wanted more lower so I tried the Stechs. They were a little too low for anything but styling so I am going to adjustable coilover springs. I am using FCM bumpstops though. They seem to be the secret to success without a harsh ride for the Bilstiens. I'm using 36mm up front with a 6mm spacer and 46mm in the back. To be fair to Shaik, he likes what he sells but he does sell a great product. He is the one who told me that the HDs could handle spring rates as high as 450/350 with his short bumpstops. We'll see, the springs arrive tomorrow.

[POS Racing]

I've run Bilstien HD's with stock springs. The factory springs worked great with the Billies

So Bilstiens HD's were decent or is Shaik correct were they awful?

[creek]

The '93 LE and '94-97 R packs as well as the '99+ sports and 10AE all came with Bilsteins and stock springs. I don't see how they could be awful. With the stock springs I was on the bumpstops a lot so I went with the shorter ones. The factory used the same bumps for all models and they were too long for the Billies IMHO. Stock is 62mm long and are a lot harder15 years later than they were when new. You can cut your old bumps or at least replace them (pricey). One standard trick for cars that must use stock springs (ES,etc.) is to use a long soft progressive bumpstop such as FCM 58 and 76mm in order to give you a higher effective spring rate on factory springs. Cheater.

I highly recommend the fat cat bumpstops for any application. They made a world of difference on my car and were the first suspension change I made.

[POS Racing]

Thanks Creek!

I had Bilstiens with OEM Springs on my '99 and I loved them! Just trying to figure out Shaik perspective.

[Rogue]

I highly recommend the fat cat bumpstops for any application. They made a world of difference on my car and were the first suspension change I made.

I also have the FCM 36mm bumps, and agree with Paul.