Anyone know anything about Bilstein shocks for the Opel?

[davegt27]

wondering if Anyone knows anything about Bilstein shocks for the Opel?

are the any good

I just picked up some NOS shocks
supposed to be race fronts and kadett rears

Thanks
David

[Paul]

David
I would reply by breaking the answer into 2 parts.

1) Build quality - Bilsteins are some of the best quality build/construction shocks available. They were one of, if not the first, to make the Nitrogen gas pressurized shocks.

2) Appropriateness of valving characteristics. This is where is gets sticky. Everyone has a difference in preference of what they like/dis-like in compression and rebound settings. Some don't like the added effective spring rate due to the high pressure gas charge. Spring rates and travel dictate the valving and splits.

However, one of the great things about Bilstein, if you don't like how it's valves, send them in and get the re-valved. That's what I did with the 2 sets of shocks I bought back in the 70's. You can send them to Bilstein of North America, located in Poway, CA, have them dyno'ed, talk to them on the phone and discuss what you want done... How great is that!

[davegt27]

However, one of the great things about Bilstein, if you don't like how it's valves, send them in and get the re-valved. That's what I did with the 2 sets of shocks I bought back in the 70's. You can send them to Bilstein of North America, located in Poway, CA, have them dynoed, talk to them on the phone and discuss what you want done... How great is that! __________________

Cool, Paul that is some of the info I was looking for
I had asked around and received mixed info on getting them revalved

I looked at a friend’s old Bilstein catalog and it did not show this PN in his book

B46-0494 OPEL KADETT 68- W/COIL SPRINGS R "SPORT" (2)


B36-0484 OPEL GT FRONT COMPETITION (4)

They still have 1 set of the competition Opel GT fronts

If anyone wants to contact them

IMPORT AUTO SUPPLY
565 W 9th St
San Bernardino, CA 92410
909-889-9505
fax 909-885-4903
importautosbdo@juno.com


Davegt27

[Paul]

David
Here's the address I sent my shocks to:

Bilstein Aftermarket & Motorsports Headquarters - West
14102 Stowe Drive
Poway, CA 92064
858-386- 5900

I had bought 2 sets of shocks (for a total of 8) and couldn't tell them apart... valving wise. So the first thing they did was to runn all of them across the dyno. Then they faxed me the charts and we discussed what modifications I wanted to do to each set, for example one set was repaired/rebuilt, and shortened but the valving was unchanged, and the other set was repaired/rebuilt, shortened and revalved. This was I have two sets to mix and match from!!!

The only down side to this is they are not adjustable like Koni's. But, with the pricing of a few years ago, I got 8 shocks back for about the same price as I paid for one set new in 1978 from MantaPart...