Differences between NA and NB suspension & Bilsteins?

lee · Postby **lee** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:11 am

I'm sure this has been answered before, but my google-foo is weak...

I'm looking to buy a set of bilsteins from a 10AE as an upgrade from stock NA6 shocks, but I still have to sus out with the seller if they include the top hats and bump stops or not.

I have a feeling I've read somewhere that NA and NB shocks by themselves are not interchangeable, but NB top hats will fit the NAs; how true is this?

Also, is there any difference between the Bilsteins fitted to the 10AE and the NA Clubman?

Matty · Postby **Matty** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:22 am

The top hats are not interchangable with the shocks.

The whole unit (top hat and all) is retrofittable, but putting NB shocks into an NA will I believe make it sit higher, and there is less bump travel because the shock is longer.

The Clubman and 10AE Bilsteins are quite different - apart from the physical differences (spring perch, top hat, bumpstop) they are valved very differently. The Clubman shocks have very high bump and rebound stiffness, the 10AEs are much more complaint. Both are rebuildable and re-valveable.

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:36 am

The shock body is longer and will raise the car by approx 1". You can bring it back to stock height by getting a set of Kings springs or Eibach lowering springs, which usually lower 1". But other than that, its a direct fit

They're good shocks, I had some Bilsteins out of JDM RS version and I reckon they were great but they just sat too high. I have a set of Racing Logic Ultra Complex's adjustable coilovers now and they're awesome.

How much are you paying for the Bilsteins?

lee · Postby **lee** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:23 pm

Matty wrote:The Clubman and 10AE Bilsteins are quite different - apart from the physical differences (spring perch, top hat, bumpstop) they are valved very differently. The Clubman shocks have very high bump and rebound stiffness, the 10AEs are much more complaint. Both are rebuildable and re-valveable.

That's probably not a bad thing, as I found the clubman bilsteins to be a bit hard for my liking.

spikes wrote:The shock body is longer and will raise the car by approx 1". You can bring it back to stock height by getting a set of Kings springs or Eibach lowering springs, which usually lower 1". But other than that, its a direct fit

They're good shocks, I had some Bilsteins out of JDM RS version and I reckon they were great but they just sat too high. I have a set of Racing Logic Ultra Complex's adjustable coilovers now and they're awesome.

How much are you paying for the Bilsteins?

The added height doesn't sound very attractive; i reckon it's already pretty high from stock. Would it completely shoot the shocks out if I got some springs to drop it ~40mm? I'm after a ~20mm drop, so 40mm would cover the raise from the NB shocks. Or could some aftermarket bump stops could fix?

I'm not sure as to how much they are, I'm still talking with the seller about it. I'm probably going to get some HKS progressive rate springs with them as well

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:49 pm

40mm lower on NB shocks will drop your car to about 16mm below stock height since 1" is 24mm, which is sh*t all
40mm is a fair drop for a set of shocks though, even on aftermarket bumpstops, you might still risk bottoming out.

Look into coilovers mate, I got my set of Racing Logics for $650. Every now and again, something cheap will come up. Otherwise a set of Yellow Speeds are $990 from mania

lee · Postby **lee** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:00 pm

spikes wrote:40mm lower on NB shocks will drop your car to about 16mm below stock height since 1" is 24mm, which is sh*t all
40mm is a fair drop for a set of shocks though, even on aftermarket bumpstops, you might still risk bottoming out.

Look into coilovers mate, I got my set of Racing Logics for $650. Every now and again, something cheap will come up. Otherwise a set of Yellow Speeds are $990 from mania

Yeah, I figured as much. 40mm was sounding a bit optimistic :roll:

If I can't find any good, cheap Bilsteins, I'm thinking about just getting a set of Tokico Illuminas or something and a set of Eibach springs, or possibly the HKS springs this guy is selling.

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:10 pm

lee wrote:
spikes wrote:40mm lower on NB shocks will drop your car to about 16mm below stock height since 1" is 24mm, which is sh*t all
40mm is a fair drop for a set of shocks though, even on aftermarket bumpstops, you might still risk bottoming out.

Look into coilovers mate, I got my set of Racing Logics for $650. Every now and again, something cheap will come up. Otherwise a set of Yellow Speeds are $990 from mania

Yeah, I figured as much. 40mm was sounding a bit optimistic

If I can't find any good, cheap Bilsteins, I'm thinking about just getting a set of Tokico Illuminas or something and a set of Eibach springs, or possibly the HKS springs this guy is selling.

you can get a kit called Ground Control kits for the Tokico Illuminas, Bilsteins and Konis which are essentially a threaded sleeve and a perch which you can adjust the ride height.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 4:21 pm

Lee, are the HKS ones NA or NB springs?

NA and NB springs aren't interchangable.

NA springs have a flat base (and a flat lower perch on the shock)
NB has a stepped base (and a stepped lower perch)

spikes · Postby **spikes** » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:07 pm

hks_kansei wrote:Lee, are the HKS ones NA or NB springs?

NA and NB springs aren't interchangable.

NA springs have a flat base (and a flat lower perch on the shock)
NB has a stepped base (and a stepped lower perch)

You can put a NA spring on an NB but not vice versa.