Bilstein PSS/PSS9 Suspension Kit

MrMagoo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2006, 11:01 AM

Has anyone tried the Bilstein PSS or PSS9 suspension kits for E36 on a BDR?

My *guess* is that they would fit, but the weight differences might make the spring rate incorrect. Jay tells me that a race suspension kit from BDR will be available in the near future...

Nor Cal Al · #2 (**permalink**) 08-19-2006, 02:39 PM

Jay is a very forward thing guy, but I have build 128 and the springs are way stiff for typical street use. God help us if I hit a bump. It jars the entire car. I would like to see a system with a slightly softer spring and more shock so I can absorb the shock of the hit but not have the bounce. An adjustable shock/strut from the cockpit would be cool.

When I asked Tony about springs he said everybody complained they were too soft. Maybe they went too far in the opposite direction? P.S., I am a tightwad and I hate to spend money on new stuff when the ones I have are new (relatively speaking). So what's the answer?

MrMagoo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2006, 03:14 PM

Hey NorCal Al.... Lets Trade!

Nor Cal Al · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2006, 09:11 AM

Thanks but I am kinda attached already. I'm sure that if we all put our heads together we can come up with something....

Cashburn · #5 (**permalink**) 08-21-2006, 11:30 AM

Over the evolution I am told the springs went from soft to stiff and then back to a softer version. Al you could benefit from the revised springs since you have an early car that had the heavier springs that were "correcting" the softer springs that Mr. Magoo has on his Venom (early BDR design/setup).

Make sense?

uncltodd · #6 (**permalink**) 08-21-2006, 12:54 PM

Al, I went to 14lb front, 16lb rear on build #139 and life got easier, quickly.

I know I'm eating tyres like a rubber eraser, but all four wheels stay on the ground on our awful highways and I no longer see a front wheel in the air after a pothole and no longer urinate blood after a ride.

Keep in mind that I am running sticky Nitto 17" drag radials.

I'm no purist.

UT

MrMagoo · #7 (**permalink**) 08-21-2006, 03:42 PM

I hadn't thought about it, but I see a lot of the new BDR's are running 17" wheels. That could affect your perception about whether the ride is too harsh. I am running the old school 15" fatties. They probably soften up the ride a bit. NorCal Al, what wheels do you have?

MrMagoo · #8 (**permalink**) 08-21-2006, 03:46 PM

UncleTodd,

What springs were you running before? That might be where I want to be....
Where did you get your replacement springs from, what length, diameter, etc.

Thanks,

Magoo

Nor Cal Al · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 09:00 AM

I am running 15 inchers with about 26 pounds of air. What a ride it was when they were at 32 pounds!!! I have measured the spring diameter before but I do not have the measurement handy. It is buried in my build book. I'll have to go look.

uncltodd · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 11:52 AM

Magoo- whatever BDR stuck on there in spring, 2004, is what #139 is sprung with. (sorry)

BTW, the lower tire pressure also all but eliminated the steering wheel "hand-dance" at speeds over 45 MPH that a fresh alignment failed to cure. Just my setup, maybe?

UT

Cashburn · #11 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 01:27 PM

UT had the added problem of Boyd's wheels ... anything but round. Have 'em on my '67 stang, what they call round every other wheel manuf. in the biz just laughs at.

SkipB · #12 (**permalink**) 08-22-2006, 05:09 PM

Guys,

One thing about springs. If you change them, you might want to test them in a spring compression tester. My new rear springs varied by almost 100lbs! I put the heavier one (600lbs) on the drivers side and the (510lb) on the passenger side. I am not sure they should have that much difference, but that is what I was sent. It must be making a difference in the handling unless one side should be that much lower to offset the drivers weight. Anyone know abou this? I assume the spring manufacturer is not too accurate on the way they make them as they sure weren't marked left and right!

However, I am not having the sagging that occurred before with the original springs. My car is a pretty early (#90) build, so I got the soft, saggy springs. Reg was good enough to exchange all four at no charge. I never did check the front, as Armond and I installed them one day out at California Cobra before they closed. We ran out of time for the rears and I had them installed later at a shop that checked the springs for me.

I wonder if there is such a thing as a current proper spring rate for front and rear? Anyone from the factory know how they are ordered? Someone had to specify the spring rates at sometime!

SkipB