Bilstein PSS installed, pics and review
11-18-2010, 06:40 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Bilstein PSS installed, pics and review
I ordered my PSS kit from AutoPartsWarehouse for $800 shipped last week (how, copied from another thread)
I finished my install earlier. Did it myself in around 3 or so hours spread out between yesterday and today. The only thing I needed help with was getting the rears installed; I had to put downward pressure on the rear studs to push the suspension down while a friend threaded the shock bolt in. Everything was very simple; the only pain in the ass was getting to the rear upper bolts. I unbolted the gas filler neck and it was much easier to get my hands in there.
For the fronts, I measured 12.75" from the shock mounting bolt to the spring perch. For the rears, 8 3/8". This resulted in about a 1 finger gap all around, or 13.25" from the hub to fender on all 4 corners. I'll keep an eye on it over the next few days and see if it settles any more.
I love the way it drives. For the most part, it feels stock but a little stiffer. It's a little stiffer over bumps, but still perfectly comfortable for a daily driver. Turning feels much more responsive, and the car feels much more planted through corners with less body roll.
I also installed 15mm spacers to make my stock AP2V2s flush with the fenders. The rears are rubbing ever so slightly around hard corners and big bumps, so I will be rolling the fenders in the rear. Other than that, everything is perfect.
This is how the dampers look out of the box
Next to a front coilover assembly that's just been removed.
OEM top hat removed, and installed on the Bilstein assembly (spring compressor required for this)
Front coilover removed
15mm hubcentric spacers installed (from optionselects on eBay)
Rears ready to go
Installed
And here's how she sits right now with a 1 finger gap all around.
Overall I'm very happy with the setup. I'll get more pics up once the car is clean, and update this thread after I get some more miles on the setup + an alignment. Any questions, feel free to ask.
Go on Autopartswarehouse.com and click Live Chat on the top. I told them last night that I had a 10% coupon (SAVEMORE) that previously brought them to $792 shipped, but the coupon expired and asked if there was anything they could do. The guy I spoke with last night was named Felix. He offered me them for $800 shipped and took my order right over Live Chat, and they shipped today.
I finished my install earlier. Did it myself in around 3 or so hours spread out between yesterday and today. The only thing I needed help with was getting the rears installed; I had to put downward pressure on the rear studs to push the suspension down while a friend threaded the shock bolt in. Everything was very simple; the only pain in the ass was getting to the rear upper bolts. I unbolted the gas filler neck and it was much easier to get my hands in there.
For the fronts, I measured 12.75" from the shock mounting bolt to the spring perch. For the rears, 8 3/8". This resulted in about a 1 finger gap all around, or 13.25" from the hub to fender on all 4 corners. I'll keep an eye on it over the next few days and see if it settles any more.
I love the way it drives. For the most part, it feels stock but a little stiffer. It's a little stiffer over bumps, but still perfectly comfortable for a daily driver. Turning feels much more responsive, and the car feels much more planted through corners with less body roll.
I also installed 15mm spacers to make my stock AP2V2s flush with the fenders. The rears are rubbing ever so slightly around hard corners and big bumps, so I will be rolling the fenders in the rear. Other than that, everything is perfect.
This is how the dampers look out of the box
Next to a front coilover assembly that's just been removed.
OEM top hat removed, and installed on the Bilstein assembly (spring compressor required for this)
Front coilover removed
15mm hubcentric spacers installed (from optionselects on eBay)
Rears ready to go
Installed
And here's how she sits right now with a 1 finger gap all around.
Overall I'm very happy with the setup. I'll get more pics up once the car is clean, and update this thread after I get some more miles on the setup + an alignment. Any questions, feel free to ask.
11-18-2010, 07:40 PM
#3
Former Moderator
Just for future info if you ever have to do it again. It looks like the knuckle is hanging by the ABS sensor cable.
They're not very strong and they are very expensive.
Otherwise your car looks great.
They're not very strong and they are very expensive.
Otherwise your car looks great.
11-19-2010, 03:37 AM
#4
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by macr88,Nov 19 2010, 12:40 AM
Just for future info if you ever have to do it again. It looks like the knuckle is hanging by the ABS sensor cable.
They're not very strong and they are very expensive.
Otherwise your car looks great.
They're not very strong and they are very expensive.
Otherwise your car looks great.
11-19-2010, 07:36 AM
#7
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Looks good. At 1 finger gap (~13.25" from wheel center to fender lip) you'll be frequently contacting the bump stops. This happens with stock suspension, as well. I'm not saying you need to increase the ride height. Just be aware that it can cause non linear behavior if you hit the stops hard enough.
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11-19-2010, 09:44 AM
#8
Former Moderator
The bumpstops are also a bit on the short side when fully compressed, especially when 225/45's are used in the front so I used the stock honda ones.
Now that I'm running 255's I'll need to add some packers to keep the tire out of the fender liner.
But I'm also quite a bit higher
Now that I'm running 255's I'll need to add some packers to keep the tire out of the fender liner.
But I'm also quite a bit higher
