My hydraulic struts are blown and leaking fluid, so they have to gtfo. I want to get some bilsteins to go with my rear Bilstein HDs. I plan on doing a C/O swap but I read on MM that the normal Bilstein struts can be used for both conventional setup and C/O, but the ones with MM valves are labeled as C/O only. I won't be able to afford the full $900 it takes to do a front C/O swap at once so I'm planning to just get the regular Bilsteins and run them with the H&Rs until I can afford the conversion. That way I won't be wasting money on struts that I will just be replacing anyway, and can use them for the C/Os. Is this a sound plan? I saw that the MM valved ones only carry a 3 year warranty, whereas I think Bilstein valved anything is a lifetime warranty, right?

The Bilstein struts support up to a 325lb coil rate according to MM, which I've read is more than enough for spirited street use. The MM valved ones suggest 350-400. Is there really much of a difference between the two?

 

Go with the standard Bilsteins and get the CO's later. You won't have any problem there. You shouldn't need any more than 325# springs on the street. If you ever did start racing and needed the higher rate you can send in the standard struts and have them re-valved.

Check out this link it should help give you an idea of the different spring rates. http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/t_wheel_rate.htm

 

X2. You don't need anything more than standard Bilsteins. I run 350 lb coilover springs and they are too much for a comfortable ride on the street.

 

Regular Bilsteins it is. Looking forward to finish up that area of my suspension.

 

For clarification, the Bilsteins sold at stangmods will be the same as the ones MM has, correct? They show a stock photo of the struts which is probably for some other car, but I'm guessing there's no difference. Can get them a bit cheaper /w free shipping from SM plus 6% extra savings which helps for my broke ***.
http://www.stangmods.com/Bilstein-He...ts-p/00764.htm

 

They are the same, but not grooved for the coilovers. I'm honestly not familiar with the 'groove' and what it entails but apparently you need it to run the MM coilovers. You may want to call MM and tell them that you already have some Bilstein HD struts, but that they arn't grooved. Find out how much it would cost, the importance of it. Factor it all in to the prices. Jack Hidley is on SVTP and the Corral pretty often if you post there.

Also, consider that if you buy from StangMods, it doesn't appear as they are getting the struts from MM, which means they don't come with the MM customer service. The people at MM have helped me out several times and are quick to replace, repair, or provide tech on things you get from them. It's worth paying a little more to me.

Think about getting some Fox body struts also. If you want to run the car pretty low like it is now, you'll want some '93 and previous year struts which are a little shorter and will allow you to regain some bump travel. It doesn't hurt anything.

 

I think the groove is just for the shocks, because on MM they list shocks are 'grooved' or 'ungrooved' but for struts they just have Bilstein HD, MM valved, and in the Bilstein HD it says usable with or without C/O setup.

Interesting about the fox struts, haven't heard that before. Would those work with a coil-over kit on my car, without making it too low?

edit: looks like all of the struts Bil-stein makes are for 1987-2004, only the shocks are different.

This mach has Bilstein MM coilovers for a Newedge


And mine now

 

Hooooooookay, I got the bilsteins and installed them today. Ride is so much firmer and predictable, plus I don't bounce around like a Caddy. My alignment is all fucked (driver's side tire has the beaner look going on), but I gave it a quick ghetto alignment so it'd probably only a couple of degrees off now. I should wait until I get the new tires to align it, right? I'd imagine going from a 275 to a 255 would cause alignment differences if I went ahead and did it now.

Also, the Bilsteins actually raised the front up about 1.5", I lost my awesome stance, but I guess that's how shitty those other struts were.. now I can't wait until I can afford the damn C/O conversion so I can crank it back down to how it used to be.