911 Bilstein Struts on a Narrow 914, Too Stiff?... Options

[Detroit]

So, I have a set the above mentioned Bilstein struts for my six conversion. While I would love to do a few track days once finished, this will not be a track car. Additionally, Michigan roads are pretty rough. I therefore don't want to venture far (or at all) from the factory spring rates.
Recently I watched a video where a guy was lamenting about the Bilstein struts he put on his lightened 911. He alleged that they were far too heavily damped. And, this was in California where the roads are rather smoother than frost/thaw ridden MI.
What are all 'y'all's thoughts?

[technicalninja]

How stiff an owner wants it is the question.

When I purchase dampers, I know what I'll buy.

Koni adjustables.

This gives you options and if you purchase new, a lifetime guarantee from Koni themselves...

Make copies of your receipt. By the time they need rebuilding your original receipt might be un-readable!

If I already had a good set of Billys I'd try them first. Changing them is gravy except for the alignment and if you start with a properly aligned car marking position usually works fine.

[VaccaRabite]

They will likely be fine. You are increasing the rear weight with the engine swap. And its easy enough to change them again if you are not happy with the ride.

My guess is that springs will be more important to you then shocks.

Zach

[Superhawk996]

My guess is that springs will be more important to you then shocks.

Zach

Zach has it right. Spring rates are what will have the largest effect on ride.

Use springs to support the vehicle

Use anti-roll bars both front and rear to add roll stiffness. Anti roll bars allow the use of softer spings to preserve ride and improve handing by increased roll stiffness.

Bilsteins are inverted monotube dampers. The inverted damper reduces unsprung weight which is highly desirable. The monotube design provides faster damping response than a twin tube damper. The internal gas piston chamber provides higher gas pressures than typical low pressure twin tube designs for better anti-foam anti cavitation control. Monotube dampers provide better heat dissipation.

Most Koni’s are twin tube but they do have a few mono tubes in the market. As far as I know, their externally adjustable 914 strut is a twin tube.

FWIW, I have a set of Bilsteins that I fully intended to run on Michigan roads before life changed forcing the move.

Keep in mind that adjustable dampers only adjust the rebound side of the damping curve. Once you pick a setting, you will likely never adjust them again for typical on-road use. Likewise the rebound side of the curve doesn’t have much effect on the initial impact harshness that occurs when the wheel initially goes over a bump into compression.

[burton73]

Shown was my 74 I put a fresh 1978 911SC full front suspension in it that was almost new. This had the under-sway bar. I ran it that way for a while with a turbo 2.0 T4 Eng and with the real gas burners and P6 tires as shown, it handled great and felt really good over the bumps. All I can say are great things about it. I loved that car! This crappie picture was in Ensenada Mexico when I took a trip with two friends and from Los Angeles. She sat in the middle.

This picture was from 1981 or so the 78sc front end had Bilstein struts

Best Bob B

[Detroit]

Thanks for the input, fellas!

[Olympic 914]

I had the 911 Bilstien strut inserts on my 914/4.

Stock 914 torsion bars and 19mm Tarret front swaybar.

It handled really well, very flat in the corners. But when I would hit a hard bump, it would really hammer it.

I just changed them out for Koni adj inserts, and haven't driven it yet. So I can't say how well they feel.

I just bought them from Paragon and found there are different part numbers for the Koni 914 inserts and the 911 inserts. Although either will fit the struts. I went with the 914 ones.

Must be the range of adjustment is different.

Running 125# springs in the rear with Koni adj shocks.

[Steve]

I ran Bilsteins and then changed to Koni. Koni's are adjustable and can be adjusted for a softer ride over Bilsteins. Koni's do require bump stops, Bilsteins do not. I initially switched to Koni's because of pot holes where I live. I learned when one tire goes into a pot hole, the sway bar come's into play. After putting my 22mm sway bar to the lowest setting, it drastically improved the pot hole experience. Knowing this, I would of stayed with the Bilstein shocks.

[JeffBowlsby]

Bils are my favorite. I would not descibe them as 'hard' or 'firm', but as 'tight' or 'precise'.

Having said that, I have no experience with Koni's.