Bilstein PSS (and possibly PSS9) height and ride quality
10-04-2017, 05:56 PM
#11
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm a big fan of the PSS and I am very sensitive to overly harsh rides and definitely sensitive to any bounciness. To me the PSS is the perfect coilover system for my setup, the ride is superb. I have to double check my measurements but I am about 1.25 inches 1 lower than stock, maybe 1.5 to 2 finger gap, and I couldn't be happier, with the ride quality. I have a 2002 ap1 and I honestly find the PSS ride better and less harsh than stock, and zero bounciness, it is very refined. I would never switch back to stock. I find it to be very compliant.
Most people buying coilovers look to lower the ride a bit, so I don't know anyone who is increasing the height above the recommended spec. I would double check your installation as the ride should not be as you describe with that coilover system IMO. That sounds odd.
Most people buying coilovers look to lower the ride a bit, so I don't know anyone who is increasing the height above the recommended spec. I would double check your installation as the ride should not be as you describe with that coilover system IMO. That sounds odd.
10-07-2017, 09:35 AM
#13
Firstly I'm not expert of s2000 suspension geometry, but know something how suspension geometry works. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
Lowering doesn't just affect to roll center. It also affects to toe and also how much toe changes when suspension moves (bump steer). Lowering might affect to camber also. Bump steer might be cause why you struggled with bumps. There are bump steer correction kits available to front and rear. I don't know how much lowering is needed that you need bump steer correction kit. Also rear bump steer is different between ap1 and ap2.
Lowering doesn't just affect to roll center. It also affects to toe and also how much toe changes when suspension moves (bump steer). Lowering might affect to camber also. Bump steer might be cause why you struggled with bumps. There are bump steer correction kits available to front and rear. I don't know how much lowering is needed that you need bump steer correction kit. Also rear bump steer is different between ap1 and ap2.
10-07-2017, 12:41 PM
#14
I've had my PSS for a couple years now, lowered the ride by about 1.25 inches max, and I've never felt the ride hitting the bumpstops, they still have lots of travel as long as you don't go wild with the drop. I can't explain why raising the ride above the recommended setting feels softer, but it isn't due to the bumpstops engaging at the lowered ride height. There must be something else at play there.
10-07-2017, 10:03 PM
#15
I've had my PSS for a couple years now, lowered the ride by about 1.25 inches max, and I've never felt the ride hitting the bumpstops, they still have lots of travel as long as you don't go wild with the drop. I can't explain why raising the ride above the recommended setting feels softer, but it isn't due to the bumpstops engaging at the lowered ride height. There must be something else at play there.
Measure. You'll be surprised.
Raising them will make them feel softer exactly because you're not engaging bumpstop as often.
02-04-2018, 05:28 AM
#17
I've had my PSS for a couple years now, lowered the ride by about 1.25 inches max, and I've never felt the ride hitting the bumpstops, they still have lots of travel as long as you don't go wild with the drop. I can't explain why raising the ride above the recommended setting feels softer, but it isn't due to the bumpstops engaging at the lowered ride height. There must be something else at play there.
03-11-2018, 02:45 PM
#18
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I’ve read the thread a couple of times. One person asked if it lowered the car. I’m not sure anyone answered. This is the system I want but I don’t want my car lower at all. At max setting, is this lower than stock?
03-17-2018, 04:27 AM
#19
Former Sponsor
I autocrossed my PSS9 on stock rates for about a year. They felt okay, but in fast transitions, you could definitely feel the rear rolling bump stop to bump stop, and occasionally, especially over high grip/rough surfaces, the rears would pack up and not rebound fast enough, resulting in some unpredictable handling - tank slappers.
I went to 9k/8k Swift springs after seeing how overvalved they come from the factory and seeing the low low speed force they have. It helped immensely with turn-in and body roll. And believe it or not, the ride and handling actually improved. They were still soft for track use, but great on a dual duty car.
I went to 9k/8k Swift springs after seeing how overvalved they come from the factory and seeing the low low speed force they have. It helped immensely with turn-in and body roll. And believe it or not, the ride and handling actually improved. They were still soft for track use, but great on a dual duty car.
