Here is my problem-

I blew out my front MR bilsteins over a year ago (tein S tech).

I purchased coilovers (ride sucks).

I purchased bilstein HD fronts (figured they were identical to MR except slight valving diference)

Now I'm looking to go with Swift R's but I'm not sure if I need MR or non MR springs. I've been searching and getting a headache. When I hold up the HD's to the MR's they seem to be identical. I even put the old tein in to see if it fits and it seems to seat fine but most people are running non MR springs in these.

Keep in mind that I still have good MR rears. If these eventually blow and I get new HD rears then what.

Please help. I just want to enjoy driving my Evo again.

 

I told you HD's are direct replacements for GSR shocks and will take GSR style springs. Maybe MR springs will work I don't know. I ordered non mr springs and they work great. Call STM and order them tomorrow, Brian or Justin will answer any further questions you have. That's where I bought mine.

 

I got your reply but I have seen a few people the have run the mr springs with HD's. I guess this is more for the mr owners that switched to the HD's for one reason or another.

 

I'm curious as well. Did anyone actually compared the valving of the stock KYBs with the Bilstein HDs and concluded that they are identical and that's why the GSR springs are suggested to use? I'm having a hard time trying to get the concept over my head when all I read on the board is:

"Bilstein HDs are similar to the MR Bilsteins with slight valving differences"

Any inputs are greatly appreciated.

Eric

 

^^^I hear yah.

 

HDs are replacements for KYB -- Get GSR Swift Spec Rs.

They are softer than the KYBs but not as soft as the MRs in terms of valving.

 

Thank you Smike.

 

 

KYBs are stiffer than HDs?

And why not the MR versions? I thought the MR stiffer spring was supposed to compliment the HD valving.

 

MRs have different valving and pressures.

HDs are more KYB replacements. They are softer than the KYBs but not as soft as the MRs.

MR spring was to go with the MR Bilstein differences.

I ran GSRs on my HDs.

 

So youre saying that the GSR springs are stiffer than the MR springs?

Hmmm I thought it was the other way around. Im currently running MR springs on HD shocks. If/when I send my stock MR bilsteins to get rebuilt, what valving should I ask for?

 

No different length springs.

What does the cars rake look like?

Like this?




Or is the rear higher?

Give them the max spring rate. They will calculate from there.

 

This is it. Just coasting, not braking or turning heavily..Im looking at the clock.



My concern is that Im running Spec R MR springs on HD Bilsteins. I thought it was a spring rate difference, not length. Is the length difference an issue? Is this why Im seeing the rear rubber coil sleeves getting chewed up? My MR Bilsteins are somewhat rusty and not sure I want to have them rebuilt.

 

As far as what your butt can tell, yes KYBs will feel 10x more harsh than either Bilstein. But like Smike said, its a valving difference with the Bilstein being much more digressive resulting in less force transmitted over bumps.

KYB's just suck period. IMO, they are downright dangerous over bumps and the car skitters all over the place.

 

I understand that now. My concern is that Im running Spec R MR springs on HD bilsteins. I originally installed the Spec R MR springs on my stock MR bilsteins, then the blew the fronts, so I bought some HDs. At the time I thought the only difference in between the HD and MR bilsteins were valving. Which is why I posted the question you answered. Smike's last response indicates that there are length differences. Now Im wondering if that is why Im seeing the rubber sleeve on the rear springs wearing through. There is definitely contact in between coils. And Id also like to know if this is something I should address.