Just want your opinions on new or used struts for my bros fourteen...
we have a line on some new bilstiens w inserts for 375ea but he is wondering if it would be cheeper to buy used, un-bent ones and the next question is where, these strut are for a fivebolt conversion with SC calipers.....

brand new, the Bils. are in the $155 range, each, new.....

does the quoted price include the complete strut with calipers, hubs and rotors?

the price of 375 includes the shock and the strut houseing or nuckle? but does not include the brake assembly, that I already have...

sooo... the seller is selling the green housing with a new ? or used strut inside ?! eh?

canadian $ ?

New housing new strut... billys-green the seller is AA

and that is USD funds but the canadian exchange is getting better/ 1.2 us to canadian

QUOTE (Mueller @ Feb 3 2005, 03:12 PM)

brand new, the Bils. are in the $155 range, each, new..... does the quoted price include the complete strut with calipers, hubs and rotors?

Mueller, I don't believe you.. $155 is too good to be true for a brand new strut. Did you mean shocks?

Not to hijack, but since the suspension gurus have descended:

Prevailing wisdom on the rear Bilsteins vs. Koni Reds?

My Koni Reds are shot, I'd like another pair of reds (don't want firmer Yellows, or does it really matter that much?). Better to rebuild these or just buy Bilsteins? Or are those significantly stiffer than Koni Reds on full soft?

Thanks,

pete

QUOTE (horizontally-opposed @ Feb 3 2005, 09:55 PM)

Prevailing wisdom on the rear Bilsteins vs. Koni Reds? My Koni Reds are shot, I'd like another pair of reds (don't want firmer Yellows, or does it really matter that much?). Better to rebuild these or just buy Bilsteins? Or are those significantly stiffer than Koni Reds on full soft?

there are at least 2 different valvings of rear 914 Bilsteins - probably 3.

the 'Rallye' (race) will be quite stiff and suitable only for very stiff springs. there's a 'Sport' which is probably suitable for most of us wo do spirited street driving on reasonably smooth roads (or are willing to put up with harshness over rough spots) and the occasional DE/AX with mildly uprated spring rates, tires, and antiroll bars. there will be an 'HD' which is usually an 'upgrade' from OEM but still work okay with OEM spring rates, and there may be an OEM valving.

last i looked at the Bilstein application page for 914's there was no OEM valving listed...

ultimately - it is PREFERENCE.

i prefer Bilsteins and the way they feel. i could have bought any Koni for my 911 but i got a set of '73RS-spec Bilstein dampers instead. some people prefer Konis, which is why i'm glad we have choices.

i've run mixed sets (externally adjustable Koni front/Bilstein Sport back) and once i got the fronts where i liked them it worked okay, but the conventional wisdom is to use the same front and back to avoid handling differences as things change temperature.

IMO it's a bit of a waste to have to adjust a damper the way you like it and then leave it there, as you'd bought the right Bilstein in the first place.

some people believe they will change the settings before and after track events. if that works for you, go for it. my philosophy is to set up the car right and leave it alone - i have enough to do on track-day morning to prepare without tinkering with the car any more than i have to ...

PREFERENCE. pick one you like.

Pete, I agree with Rich but I'm on the Koni side of the fence. Most of these are dual purpose cars and will "at least" see an occasional autocross. I like to be able to turn the knob. I like Koni's on full soft for street. It give a "slightly" tighter ride than the stock Boge.

That being said... Bilsteins rock. They're "right" right out of the box (as Rich states). However, with the knobs on the top of the Koni's I don't find it too difficult to go around and do a four corner twist.

PREFERENCE. pick one you like. (read that somewhere)

To bring it back on topic.

I think that's a bit much. Call Rich at HPH. He has a used pair that could be had. They looked complete the last time I was in there... in fact, I tried to scrounge some parts off them and he didn't let me

You may want to try Parts Heaven as well. Check the Early S Registry classifieds (www.early911sregistry.org) I think it would be wise to find a used pair for what you would pay for "one"...

sorry guys i am looking for a pair of front stuts, with spindles....