Fman67

...Looking into new shocks for the rear of car...front doesn't bother me...but i feel rearend could use some calming down...too jittery. I was looking at the Bilstiens...anyone try these yet?

classj

Love mine, but I certainly would never run them on one end only. The reduction in nosedive under braking is worth the upgrade alone.

GOarmy08

Hey classj, which H&Rs are you using with the Bilsteins? Do the Bilstein's work well with the lower Race springs?

Glenn

I was told from Bilstein that yes they are for lowered cars as well as non lowered cars. I went with the tokicos manly because of price.

R-code

Get your hands on an upgraded panhard rod if you think the rear of the car is out of control. What you might be feeling is the car not staying in line with the rear axle.

I would advise against getting only the shocks, too. They're valved to work as a full set, replacing only the rears may actually worsen whatever problem you are perceiving with the rear suspension.

~Mike~

official_style

I am definetly going with bilstiens when I need shocks. I have them on my yukon, they have been on for like 95k miles and still have that cadillac ride like when they were new. Bilstiens last longer then the car, that's why their so expensive.

metroplex

I had Bilsteins on another car and they were seriously overdamped to give it a "firm" ride. If Edelbrock IAS shocks were available for the S197, I'd buy them.

official_style

how do u guys think they will work with the stock springs, i cant lower my isht since i live in manhattan

classj

They should work great with the stock springs.

The engineers at bilstein told me that they did a ton of testing with them with stock springs and many sport springs.

They did not reccomend using the HD series of shocks with a drop more than about 1" or so. The front shocks have internal bump stops.

These shocks are stiffer than stock but nothing bone jarring. I think the car rides nicer overall for me.

The sport shocks (which I don't think they don't make for the stang yet) are the ones that are jarring stiff.

I am using the H&R sport springs. Just a nice 3/4-1" drop all around. I like them because it keeps the factory rake. I happen to like the raked look and don't like when the rear is lowered that additional 1/2".

official_style

i love the rake. goes with the look of the car. im getting bilstiens soon!

Snakebyte94

What ever you do don't buy Edelbrock IAS shocks. Alot of my friends had them on there Explorer's and they did not last. They replaced them with Bilstiens.

official_style

yea bilstiens are supposed to outlast your car!

kevinb120

On my short list too! Although just springs make a huge difference on keep the rear planted in turns. The sensation of it rising and wanting to step out when braking into even mild turns went away completely just with the ultralites.

I see you have CHE torque limiters with the stock engine mounts, how is that working out?

Fman67

..WEll...it did make a difference..noticed that the car seems to plant more eveny..better traction...even with my stock BFG's..i'm sure the motor mounts would make it even better...i was afraid of too much NVH..there is a bit now since the addition of the torque limiters..you hear the starte more..and exhaust sounds louder"inside" car.

official_style

i wish they made bilsteins for my banshee!

metroplex

I had Bilsteins on my Crown Vic and they made it BONE JARRINGLY stiff.
I installed Edelbrock IAS shocks and found it to be perfect. Dozens of other Crown Vic owners have switched to Edelbrock IAS shocks and never had a problem. Unfortunately, Edelbrock does not make them for the S197. As for Bilsteins "outlasting" the life of the car, there are numerous Bilsteins that broke apart on the Crown Vic due to shoddy welding. Bilstein refused to replace them under their lifetime warranty.

The Bilsteins for the Vic were overdamped to give it a stiffer ride, but they forgot about rebound. The Edelbrocks gave a perfect balance between compression and rebound.

On my 07 GT's stock shocks and struts, I noticed the front end is very stable. All I hear is a SQUISH when going over speed bumps, while the rear end hops over the bump.

pkracer21j

I have the H&R Cup coilovers on my gt. they use bilstein shocks. I don't think I could ask for better handling out of a mustang. it is almost racecar stiff, and has 3 inches of ground clearance. I love it.