pre # bdr rear shocks

tober127 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 11:58 AM

Hi Folks I'm New to this site and was wondering if any body had any earlerier BDR's out there that have done any rear suspension work to there cars My BDR dosent have a # It was built in Jan/Feb of 2002 with the M3 rear and has very soft springs. The car came with gabrel shocks from South Africa And Gabrel Has no listing of the part# Other people have posted the KYB and Bilstein part# from a 69-74 VW. The problem I have is the old shock dosent have the coupling on the top of the shaft it's a straight shaft to the top and the newer cars use this coupling. Has anyone done this MOD or can point me in the right direction Thanks.

JUS BIT · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 08:31 PM

I'm not sure about this one. Any one else have any ideas for Tober127?

James

SkipB · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 11:02 PM

tober127

I am not sure about the shocks. I would certainly contact the guys at Backdraft about this. They are usually very good about getting information to you.

I have chassis #90 which is pretty early, but the shocks don't appear to be set up the way you are describing. Again, check with the Backdraft boys!

I will say that my original springs ended up sagging and I replaced them with newer, better wound springs. Check with BDR. It could be worth the price to update your springs too.

SkipB

Tday · #4 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 06:57 AM

tober...I have bdr #183 and found that the rear springs were unmatched and also would hit the cups when flexed hard...AND one of the gas shocks was depressurized or whatever. I got new springs from Reg (I guess this wasn't uncommon in the earlier BDR's) and bought new shocks from Jay for about $100 for the set. Here's from the shipping email for the shocks.

KYB-BDRREARSHOCK KYB Gas-A-Just Rear Shocks

Tom

Cashburn · #5 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 08:34 AM

I believe you own one of the earliest "Backdrafts" that entered the USA. It was actually a kit purchased in SA and assembled before it was shipped here. The company that made the kit is still in business I believe, though the names escapes me.

I hate giving this response, but you need to speak with Tony or Reg. I suggest you signup at www.backdraftboys.com if you have not already and ask over there. They seem to monitor that more closely and provide greater detail in responses (when they come).

You have a unique car, as you know... so the shocks we currently offer will not plugin.

tober127 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-01-2008, 11:46 AM

This was one of there first cars built in FL. My Father in law and his friend had it build after seeing in at the kit car nats. in carlisle PA. a 351W with a tremec 3550 and M3 Rear. I spoke to Frank {Reg's Father} And he says this is car #19 And Remembers the car well. Reg is in South Africa this month and will talk to him next week. From what Reg said in an email 2 weeks ago the real earliest cars had the softest springs of them all and the cars in production now have a much stiffer spring then the next line up is the race springs I bought the bilstiens with the part #'s from other folks that have BDR's on this site and thats where I found the problem. I have pics of the car and wheel set up and will post them soon thanks for all your help. Toby

Trueoo7 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2008, 08:11 PM

Tober127
Just curious if your car has an indentation or recess where the cobra emblems go? I saw an earlier BDR car once where this was the case which made placement of the emblems easier but they stopped that feature very early on.

Mac VABCH · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 12:32 AM

tober 127,

If you decide to go with the non race springs I still have a set at the house. You might not need them as the bilsteins are much stiffer that OEM. I have Bilsteins on my car with the race springs and its very stiff. Too stiff for the road, so with your softest springs that you have it may work well.

tober127 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trueoo7

Tober127
Just curious if your car has an indentation or recess where the cobra emblems go? I saw an earlier BDR car once where this was the case which made placement of the emblems easier but they stopped that feature very early on.

I guess the body was made after the indentations for the emblems I'm trying to post pics of the the car but time is not on my side right now the summer driving season is almost over and she is still in my garage. you know you are only an hour away from me. once its on the road we should meet up.

tober127 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008, 08:59 AM

I just got the new factory springs from BDR, on thursday and thay are already on the car. The old ones were in bad shape the driver side is 3/4 of an inch smaller than the right side now the stance is so much better. Thanks for the help. Toby

Trueoo7 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008, 08:52 PM

Doesn't look like I'll be free until Sept. but we could certainly meet up then. It will be interesting to compare the cars since they are only 19 cars apart. Let me know and we'll figure out a spot. I too had the problem with the springs but changed them out and no more problems.

tober127 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-11-2008, 11:04 PM

Well I Found out from reg where the shocks came from. Thay are the front shocks for a 1990 nissan pathfinder that fit the rear. Just need to cut the dust cover off and thay fit good.