Hey guys...my first post. I've been through the archives and found a bunch of old posts, but none that answered my question. I'm planning on a set of H&R Super Sports for my '07 (whenever it shows up that is!). I've had great luck with H&Rs and Bilsteins on my other cars over the years, so I'd like to try them out. But I see they only list HDs for the 05-07 Mustang. With my other cars I recall they had HDs for stock height and Sports for lowered cars. Anyone have any idea what the deal is with their current offering? I also see a bunch of folks are running the Tokico Spec Ds. They look intriguing, but I'm not fond of adjustables that adjust compression and rebound simultaneously. It seems that folks are pretty happy with them so that my be the best option. It seems the general consensus is that the FRPP offering is too hard so they're out.

Thanks!

 

I am installing H&R sports (not the super sports) with Bilstein HD a couple weeks. I wanted the HD as they are traditionally a tad softer than the Koni sports or Bilstein sports.

I spoke to an engineer at Bilstien that did alot of the work on the valving and I was very happy with his comments and seemed to point out all the areas that they improved upon without me even asking about them. He had notes regarding about what was done compared to stock but was not willing to give me damping vs. shaft speed charts as they are propriatary.

The only snafu is that as you pointed out, the HD shocks can only be used with stock height or mild drops up to about 1". Bilstein claims to have tested the HD ones with H&R and eibach sport springs as well as stock.

Koni sports are probably a couple months off at this point. I did not ask Bilstein about their sports.

 

Thanks for the quick response! I guess I can hold out hope that they might be working on sports. I would have thought they would have them by now since the S197 has been on the road for 3 years now. I do agree that the heavy duties are a bit more compliant, but at the same time do an excellent job of damping the nasty stuff. I'm just a bit of a head case and I like things firm. Not over the top, but firm.

 

No problem. Like I said, Koni claims that their sport shocks are not too far off. But I wanted to try Bilsteins this time as I have used them in the past but on the last couple cars I have used Konis for some reason. But I never seem to adjust them past the first week or so.

For what it is worth, Bilstein and one other person mentioned to me that with moderatly stiff race springs, the HD shocks are not really adaquate for the track anyway for hardcore guys.

Bilsteins claimed to me that the car will be about as stiff as a E36 M3 between the HD shocks and sport springs. That is about as stiff as I want it given the solid rear axel, etc.

Personally if I can correct the nose dive, pitch and roll, help the axel tramp, and be no stiffer than say a M3 or cayman S, I will be a happy camper.

The d-specs seem to be loved by all. But I am not sure how usefull the adjustability will be as it controls both rebound and compression with the same ****. But I certainly dont think they will be a bad choice.

I am just more used to using the traditional brands I have had luck with on german cars (H&R, Bilstein, Koni, Eibach, etc, etc)

 

Funny you mention the E36 M3 and german cars... I am actually an avid BMW enthusiast myself. I'm partial to the E28 and E34 5 series. I actually have 6 in the stable at the moment. I have an E28 535i track car with H&Rs, Bilstein Sports, custom high durometer bushings and E31 850CSi brakes up front with E34 M5 rears. The car might as well not have a suspension (I run 18" M-Parallels with 35 series tires) but I still love it. It was actually my daily driver until about 2 years ago. I've always liked the S197 Mustangs and finally decided to pull the trigger. I had an SN95 ('97) Cobra way back when. The 32 valve motor was a thing of beauty, but out of the box the rest of the car just couldn't keep up with it. I absolutely hated the placement of the shifter. I also had a Z28 at the time and preferred it to the Cobra. The buildup of power in the high revs was great, but it just didn't have much bottom end. From what I've seen and read the S197 took care of a lot of the issues the SN95s were plagued with. I'm probably going to get flamed for this post, but hey, we're all car guys right?!?! What can I say, I have eclectic taste!

 

Sounds like some fun cars you have there. I always liked the E34-E39 5 series.Between Dad, I and close family members we have had a few M cars. I still think the E30 was my favorite from a fun standpoint, followed closely by the 1995 E36.

I fell in love with the S197, I never really cared for the overall performance of the earlier stangs, but that is just me I guess.

Gobbs of nice usable HP, not too beastly where it becomes a pita in the snow, comfortable, etc.

Anyway, Good luck!

Nick