Bilstein Question

ray40 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 07:57 PM

I'm in the process or rebuilding my 67 duetto's suspension and was wondering if anyone is running Centerline (yellow) springs with Bilstein Shocks. Just about all bushings are replaced (mostly rubber) and all ball joints and tie rods too. It seems that many favor konis but I've always had bilsteins in my other cars and loved them. I expect a firm ride but is there a chance of damaging my 40 year old rolling sculpture...? thanks all

alfa63 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 10:17 PM

It would be my opinion since you're rebuilding the suspension you'll be okay, unless you have terrible roads where you drive and/or you aim for the potholes.

Green Dragon · #3 (**permalink**) 11-21-2006, 11:30 PM

I love the Bilsteins and run them on my other cars also. I tried the Koni Reds with IAP springs and was not pleased. I switched to the Bilsteins and am very happy with the firm/controlled ride and better bump absorbtion. I assume that since you are lowering your spider, and are used to Bilsteins on other cars, that you don't drive on horrendous roads and know to go around potholes not through them or at least take them off camber if unavoidable. Just don't expect a soft touring ride....use the stock springs for that.

I would highly recommend the Ereminas chassis stiffener available directly from Don Ereminas, IAP, or Centerline. Apparently another chassis brace is available from a BB member. I don't recall who it was that had them. Maybe someone else will chime in. A chassis stiffener will really help you extract the best ride from your duetto.

As far as damaging your chassis...adding the stiffener should avoid torsional damage that could occur even with just the increased grip of modern performance tires. I don't know how robust the shock mounting points are on the duettos and am sure that my S3 spider is more reinforced but I was warned that I'd tear the mounts away from the body or "punch through". So far, I can only say that that seems to be more of an urban legend or related to something besides the shock/spring combo... In 7000 miles of very "spirited" driving over not always perfect roads, I have no sign of metal fatigue at the shock mounts....nor anywhere along the body seams.

Hope it helps