Hey Smike what did you actually update??? I'm still looking for HDs before I throw on my Spec Rs!

 

All the spring rate information. Nothing physically different on the springs. Just how they are posted rate wise. And MR height difference.

HDs or MRs are a great -- used MR + revalve = awesome.

 

Nice setup; nice review

 

this is exactly what i need to know for how to work on my car! thanks a bunch!

 

Just read your Swift/Bilstein review. I recently started auto x and many folks around myself are telling me coilover this and coilover that.


I know better.


I've been reading, listening, and not listening and finally I stumbled across a post by another member
A fair comparison between cheap coilovers and aftermarket springs
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...t-springs.html


This led me to your post
Swift Spec R's Reviewed!!!
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...-reviewed.html


The point of all this is to basically say. I'm going to see if this combination works for me. I think it will. Although I am new to Auto X and have only gone 5 races so far. I feel as though next season alongside some maintenance, I will be going with the setup forementioned.


Thanks.

 

Hey man i have a evo 8 with MR bilstien oem shocks with swift spec r springs 80k miles on them. My question is when it's time to upgrade my MR shocks to The SmikeEvo Bilstein Swift Spec-R kit would be the spec r spring on MR bilstien now work on bilstien HD? Thanks

 

In a word, YES !!

 

It's been 13 years since Smike's review of the Spec R's but I thought it would good to still share that it's a great setup. I was previously on a set of Tein Street Advance Zs (6kg/mm for F/R, 16 way adjustable dampers). There was creaking when going over speed bumps and I thought the Teins were leaking. Instead of the HD's (B6), I went with B8's instead and the Spec R springs. Swapped them out with the Teins but the creaking was still present. Turns out my lower control arm bushings had gone dry! Re-greased them and the creaking sounds went away.

In essence in case anyone is trying to compare coilovers with similar spring rates to the Spec Rs:

The Teins were already quite comfortable to begin with given the 6kg/mm spring rate. At the stiffest damper settings, it was stiff but not uncomfortable. At the softest settings, it was very much more comfortable but at the expense of "bounciness" especially at highway speeds along with sweeping dips and elevations.

With the B8s and Spec Rs, it's very similar to the middle damper settings of the Teins - but the first immediate difference I noticed was that the B8's and Spec Rs were able to absorb micro bumps and uneven surfaces better in city driving, whereas the Teins crashed and jolted a little more (even on the softest settings). This is probably due to the difference in springs (Spec R progressive vs Tein Linear). That being said - the difference between the two would fail the "wife" litmus test. My wife couldn't tell the difference with the micro bumps, but could tell that the damping was not as soft as the Teins on the softest.

While the Teins were certainly value for money ($800USD for the set), I'm certain the Bilsteins would outlast the Teins in terms of quality.

Thanks again to Smike for pioneering and paving the way!

 

I have had my Bilstein/Swift set up for almost as long as Smike... I am now getting some serious sagging in the rear (rear is 1/2 lower in the rear, but after 13 years, what can you expect... now comes the tough decision of getting new bilstein shocks and new swift springs, or going the coilover route...

 

The Evo in general if measured at the fender is 0.5" lower in the rear than the front.