Just wondering how much stiffer are the stock Evo MR bilstein shocks as compared to a stock evo 8 suspension? Or should I just get some front and rear sway bars for better handling?


thanks

 

Andrew at GTworx answered that same question for me:

"...bumps will be soaked up a lot better with the Bilsteins. The valving is designed to be softer over sharp bumps that make the piston in the damper move quickly, while the damper is still firm over normal body roll, where the piston moves slowly."

From what I understand the MR bilsteins not only feel more comfortable, but it improves handling as well.

 

^^ and the replacements being sold for the evo 8 are the same shock sold in the mr's?

 

reg shock is stiffer thant the bilstein.

 

Stock VIII struts are faster but they don't ride as well as the Bilsteins.

 

^ I just put the Blistiens on my EVO9. My opinion follows.....

My 2003 GSR with 11k miles felt the same as these 500 mile blisteins. Soft.

My stock EVO9 KYBs were much stiffer than both. Performance wise I think the stock EVO9 KYBs were better than the blisteins. I am positive that my 2003 EVO had a different strut than my 2006 EVO had. The two feel completely different. The EVO9 felt "just right" but stiff and the EVO8 felt sloppy (as do these blisteins).

Keep in mind I have had both types of Megan Racing Coil Overs. Just before I installed the blisteins I had Megan Racing Track coil overs = BRUTAL. Don't get me wrong the blisteins aren't junk but unless you feel like a bobble head doll on your stock setup I don't think its worth the $$$ to swap them out.

This is an honest review from a daily driven EVO9 that sees track duty on the weekends. I think the blisteins are a nice option if you have a crabby spouse, small child, or transport clients around. But if the car is yours and you don't have a vagina stick with the stockers and tell the complainers to suck it.

If you are simply looking to replace your tired suspension I would recommend MR street coil overs. I enjoyed those very much. That or find a newer set of KYBs in the FS section. I don't think the Blisteins are worth the price.

At this point I wish I would have kept my KYBs.

 

A lot of people confuse "feels softer" to "feels slower" when they don't necessarily go hand in hand.

But you're right, sloppiness is never good. How many miles are on your Bilsteins?


- Andrew

 

I switched my VIII KYB to to the IX Bilstein awhile back I thought it's awesome for daily driving. To me, the Bilstein has better bound a rebound. I felt that it grips better around bumpy turns due to lesser wheel hop.

I lowered the car with the Swift Mach MR springs this weekend and it just superb. The spring rate compliments the shocks like bread and butter. Even with a higher spring rate, I felt that it didn't sacrifice ride comfort for performance at all. I haven't tried any other springs for the Bilstein, but so far, I'm loving the Swift.

 

^ I agree. I'm sure the Bilsteins will perform just fine but I'll be working the hell out of them. They dive and roll more than the coil overs I've had. This is fine as we know even the stock suspension is excellent when tracked. The point I'm trying to make is even though they do "soak up the bumps" that feature alone doesn't make them worth the price of upgrade.

If you don't track your car they are excellent. If you do they will perform well but feel sloppy. I'm coming from 12k/10k springs that didn't budge much. A stutterbox launch, Scandinavian flick, or romp over some train tracks didn't result in much give. On a track I loved that very flat planted feeling. On the street I kept losing fillings. My dentist loved them.

As for the mileage on my bilsteins.... I purchased them from Robi with 500 miles so basically new.

Like I said I'm sure they will perform fine but they are heavier, they don't have camber plates, and they can't be corner weighted. When you get them get them for comfort and not performance.

 

Good info, Jeff. Thanks.

 

i hated my stock evo 9 suspension. it was stiff and very bouncy. bought some bilsteins with swift springs and wow what a difference. its so smooth and since this is my dd its alot better. my friend with tein ss are getting rid of his for bilsteins after riding in my car.

 

Jeff, the Bilsteins can be corner weighted ask the guy you bought them from. Did you get the supporting mods when you changed the springs?

 

Great Comments! I must agree I still like the ride of my Evo 8 suspension, but the stance can be a little bit lower. I didn't know the MR Bilsteins were softer then the Evo 8 suspension. I feel a lot of body roll on tight turns in the street.

Maybe I should go with a sway bars first because you guys mention the Bilsteins are softer and the Evo 9 suspension is too stiff?

 

Bilsteins are definitely softer in the high speed range (meaning over bumps that make the piston move quickly) but may be about the same over low speed bump (meaning body roll, where the piston moves slowly and where handling is important). I definitely get this feeling with Bilstein HDs and I feel they would be faster around a track. MRs I think are indeed a little softer and are probably slightly slower.



- Andrew

 

I think the only thing I'm missing is the roll center kit.

I'll have the car on the scales this week to see where it sits without any tweaking. My crew has a set of corner balance scales so I'll post how balances out without any additional effort. If needed I'll make some adjustments to dial it in.