Speaking of struts ,I need to know what my options are as I should replace them on my 73 Ceylon 3.0CSa. Also any recommendations for the rear shocks would be appreciated!
Cheers!
Tony P.
Mesa Performance
- Thread starter Tony.dreamer
- Start date
Speaking of struts ,I need to know what my options are as I should replace them on my 73 Ceylon 3.0CSa. Also any recommendations for the rear shocks would be appreciated!
Cheers!
Tony P.
Honolulu
Well-Known Member
As has been discussed here a LOT of times, the most common seem to be CNPR lowering springs with Bilstein HD inserts/shocks, available as a package or separately from CNPR, see www.bimmerdoc.com. No affiliation.
For education, use the search function and you'll root up the correct designation which I don't have immediately at hand. You may also find that the Bilstein products are cheaper elsewhere.
For me out in the middle of the pond, shipping is expensive. Many websites offer "FREE SHIPPING" in bold print and the fine print says "continental US only". Bah! Humbug!
Despite the attractively price DO NOT get KYB's as my car came with. Why? you ask, full of wonder... In my experience "KYB" is an acronym for Kick Your Butt. The shocks have gotten harder, not softer, with age and now they barely compress at all, making for a very rough and unpleasant ride over Pothole City, er, Honolulu streets.
For education, use the search function and you'll root up the correct designation which I don't have immediately at hand. You may also find that the Bilstein products are cheaper elsewhere.
For me out in the middle of the pond, shipping is expensive. Many websites offer "FREE SHIPPING" in bold print and the fine print says "continental US only". Bah! Humbug!
Despite the attractively price DO NOT get KYB's as my car came with. Why? you ask, full of wonder... In my experience "KYB" is an acronym for Kick Your Butt. The shocks have gotten harder, not softer, with age and now they barely compress at all, making for a very rough and unpleasant ride over Pothole City, er, Honolulu streets.
as Honolulu says, there is a ton of info on this topic inside the search function. I recently went through this very thing though and can add that there appears to be fewer options now, for struts and shocks, unless of course, you just want Bilsteins, then you are all set. In my case I was looking for something not so firm, more like the Coupe rode when new. I discovered that the Boge/Sachs units are no longer available. Settled on adjustable Konis, I can install on soft setting and go from there. As for rear, I still have replacement KYBs on there, but unlike Honolulu, they have held up and I have no complaints. They too are getting hard to come by, so I guess bottom line, if you think you need new struts or rear shocks, start shopping now.
Bwana
Well-Known Member
I always thought KYB stood for "Keep Your Bilsteins"
Tony, nice car!
In addition to the comments above I would like to add that much of the harshness associated with any of the performance upgrades to the suspension can be significantly mitigated by keeping the stock wheel size and tire profile. You can go with the Goodrich T/A radial 205's with the letters on the inside if you want something a little beefier but it looks like you have good sneakers on there now. When replacing the shocks/springs (which is incredibly easy) please remember to get new perches for the rear and inspect the rear shock holders for cracks.
Good luck, you have an awesome color coupe!
In addition to the comments above I would like to add that much of the harshness associated with any of the performance upgrades to the suspension can be significantly mitigated by keeping the stock wheel size and tire profile. You can go with the Goodrich T/A radial 205's with the letters on the inside if you want something a little beefier but it looks like you have good sneakers on there now. When replacing the shocks/springs (which is incredibly easy) please remember to get new perches for the rear and inspect the rear shock holders for cracks.
Good luck, you have an awesome color coupe!
Honolulu
Well-Known Member
Well it's easy in the back, anyway. Fronts can be another story. If you can, get an impact wrench/air hammer on the nuts at the top of the strut mounts. I've had this done remotely and then gently driven home to complete the work. Make really-really sure that your spring compressor is securely mounted and will not come off even it you drop the assembly on the garage floor.
"Good" spring compressors could be the subject of a whole 'nother extensive thread. Anyone want to take the bait and start it?
These are what I have, though not from that store... https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...essors-19620/coil-spring-clamps/62000/4711921
"Good" spring compressors could be the subject of a whole 'nother extensive thread. Anyone want to take the bait and start it?
These are what I have, though not from that store... https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...essors-19620/coil-spring-clamps/62000/4711921
CookeD
Well-Known Member
If you have Bilsteins now, you can have them rebuilt by Bilstein.
CookeD
Well-Known Member
Yes, and Bilstein were easy to work with. On the rears, the new shocks have a different diameter shock rod than the old ones (old ones have a larger diameter), so I wanted to keep the old shock rod diameter to use the old fitment hardware, as I didn't like the new shock's bushing in the shock mount.
for the rears, i really like the ground control stuff ... i believe that HBChris put those on his coupe as well. check out what Barry G posted here - https://www.e9coupe.com/forum/threads/ground-control-group-buy.25773/
Tony - LOVE the ceylon. what is its VIN, there aren't many listed in the registry.
Tony - LOVE the ceylon. what is its VIN, there aren't many listed in the registry.
Yep, I put GC in the rear, adjustable and so far so good.