The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread
04-11-2014, 01:02 PM
#21
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 23
Total Cats: 7
I've read that those scaled sleeves can have problems with threads. Had any problems so far?
I did find a kit with the GC style "pinch" seat. Honda kits are said to be the same as far as sleeve diameter goes.
88 00 Civic LX DX EX coilover Conversion lowering Sleeves Set Purple Spring Set | eBay
I did find a kit with the GC style "pinch" seat. Honda kits are said to be the same as far as sleeve diameter goes.
88 00 Civic LX DX EX coilover Conversion lowering Sleeves Set Purple Spring Set | eBay
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04-11-2014, 06:18 PM
#23
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston, TX
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I don't like the Torrington bearings sandwiched between the spring and that poly isolator, too easy to bend, need larger size to sit on the perch. Changed the rear bump stop to a 10mm piece, just a shock saver, rides way smoother.
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04-11-2014, 06:32 PM
#24
Here's mine:
Clean MSM shocks in special Miataturbo packaging - $150 (Anyone have info on the bumps that come with these? I can take pictures later, but they don't feel much different to the touch than the Integra Speedthane bumps.)
Fleabay sleeves/springs - $58 (450/325 setup)
Swapping springs out for 7" QA1 550/400 setup - $120 shipped for one new pair, one nearly new. (Second pair not shown. Red spring/collar setup and NB hats for my buddy.)
Integra Speedthane Medium bumps a.k.a. "Swank Force Racing 36/36 bumpstops" - $84
Having custom 1"/1.5" top hats made, will be paired with an RB 1.125 front, stock rear bar.
Clean MSM shocks in special Miataturbo packaging - $150 (Anyone have info on the bumps that come with these? I can take pictures later, but they don't feel much different to the touch than the Integra Speedthane bumps.)
Fleabay sleeves/springs - $58 (450/325 setup)
Swapping springs out for 7" QA1 550/400 setup - $120 shipped for one new pair, one nearly new. (Second pair not shown. Red spring/collar setup and NB hats for my buddy.)
Integra Speedthane Medium bumps a.k.a. "Swank Force Racing 36/36 bumpstops" - $84
Having custom 1"/1.5" top hats made, will be paired with an RB 1.125 front, stock rear bar.
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04-11-2014, 07:41 PM
#26
It's a little hard to tell, but is the circlip captured by the threaded sleeve? It doesn't look like it from the pictures. You can probably get away without it captured, but there's a chance the clip can come out of the groove especially under extreme suspension movement. It shouldn't be too hard to get the sleeve machined to accept the circlip. Either that or tack weld the ends of the circlip into the groove.
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04-11-2014, 08:48 PM
#28
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 180
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Come on guys, do you even poor? Here's your poverty spec coilover shopping list:
Coilover sleeves: $42
http://m.ebay.com/itm/351046622801
38mm Linear bumpstop: $11 each
http://www.acuraexpressparts.com/oe-acura/51722se0003
(56mm?) Progressive bumpstop: $6 each
http://www.hondapartssales.com/lisle...=51722-SR0-003
QA1 springs: $30 each from Summit
(if you lose the eBay spring lottery)
ISC style top hats: ~$10 each
Some plate, some pipe, and a trip to your friendly local machine shop.
Screw the thrust bearings, we don't have struts so the bearings just make it easier to adjust the ride height with load on the springs. You can use some harbor freight death sticks or man up and crank harder, your call.
All together, that's $100-200 for the full coilover conversion, depending on your luck with the springs and your bump stop choice.
Coilover sleeves: $42
http://m.ebay.com/itm/351046622801
38mm Linear bumpstop: $11 each
http://www.acuraexpressparts.com/oe-acura/51722se0003
(56mm?) Progressive bumpstop: $6 each
http://www.hondapartssales.com/lisle...=51722-SR0-003
QA1 springs: $30 each from Summit
(if you lose the eBay spring lottery)
ISC style top hats: ~$10 each
Some plate, some pipe, and a trip to your friendly local machine shop.
Screw the thrust bearings, we don't have struts so the bearings just make it easier to adjust the ride height with load on the springs. You can use some harbor freight death sticks or man up and crank harder, your call.
All together, that's $100-200 for the full coilover conversion, depending on your luck with the springs and your bump stop choice.
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04-11-2014, 10:31 PM
#30
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Houston, TX
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I think for anybody running the MSM Bilsteins the ISC hats are great to have, if not your gonna need some short bumpstops, like 20-25mm front and 10-15mm rear.
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04-12-2014, 11:31 AM
#34
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Location: Houston, TX
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Yeah I was out there earlier be back after sons baseball practice.
Yes seems like the MSM rears especially want a taller hat in the rear. The ebay collars are fine the perches might need to be chased, I just used lots of grease and chased them on the collar.
Yes seems like the MSM rears especially want a taller hat in the rear. The ebay collars are fine the perches might need to be chased, I just used lots of grease and chased them on the collar.
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04-12-2014, 04:39 PM
#35
Just more information for anyone reading this. I purchased GroundControl sleves from someone on ebay. They ended up being for Konis and I was going to use them on my MSM Bilsteins. They were loose on the shafts but did eventually work. I ended up having to put another C clip on top of the one already on the shaft and doing the few wraps of electrical tape at the top to get them to fit nicely.
Other than that, same setup as OP and been working great for 2 years.
Other than that, same setup as OP and been working great for 2 years.
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04-13-2014, 06:24 PM
#40
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I'm running 2000 "Hard S" valved Bilsteins with 550/350. This is a different part number than the shocks that come with the standard "Sport" package. The bodies are not as long as the MSM bodies, alleviating that problem, but I still use the ISC tophats.
I did mine yesterday and have pics but not much time to write details right now. I'm just going to dumps some pics of the process here for your reference since I know you are trying to do this too. A real write up will come eventually.
2000 NB Hard Bilsteins P/N NC1234700D
Factory NB Bilstein spring perches must come off.
Spring perch locator tabs must come off very carefully with a grinder or cut off wheel.
Wrap tape to take up thickness of ID of coilover so it doens't rattle or shift on clip.
It puts the lotion in the basket.
I have NA bumpstops still that I needed to cut down for increased travel until I can get good replacements at a later date.
Voila'!
Let me say that the ride is so wonderfully smooth I could have easily gone to 550lbs plus instead of just 400 on the front with these shocks. They are valved very strong and have no problems controlling the springs. The ride is hellaplush, lol! It absorbs minor road bumps without a fuss but complies beautifully in big dips like railroad tracks without feeling busy at all. No more hitting the bumpstops!
I thought everyone was kidding when they said the ride could be better than stock with stiffer springs. It is sooooo much more comfortable than stock.
More fun to follow but I've got places to go right now.
2000 NB Hard Bilsteins P/N NC1234700D
Factory NB Bilstein spring perches must come off.
Spring perch locator tabs must come off very carefully with a grinder or cut off wheel.
Wrap tape to take up thickness of ID of coilover so it doens't rattle or shift on clip.
It puts the lotion in the basket.
I have NA bumpstops still that I needed to cut down for increased travel until I can get good replacements at a later date.
Voila'!
Let me say that the ride is so wonderfully smooth I could have easily gone to 550lbs plus instead of just 400 on the front with these shocks. They are valved very strong and have no problems controlling the springs. The ride is hellaplush, lol! It absorbs minor road bumps without a fuss but complies beautifully in big dips like railroad tracks without feeling busy at all. No more hitting the bumpstops!
I thought everyone was kidding when they said the ride could be better than stock with stiffer springs. It is sooooo much more comfortable than stock.
More fun to follow but I've got places to go right now.
Last edited by sixshooter; 04-13-2014 at 06:59 PM.
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