What is the difference between the Sport strut and the HD(Heavy Duty) strut? They both have the same part number. VE3-C522-HO. Anyone know and have used either?

I "believe" the Sport is for lowered cars.

JamesC

Taken from Bilstein's website:

SPORT (S)
For the performance-minded driver, Bilstein “Sport” shocks deliver absolute mastery of the road surface. Designed to push a car’s suspension to it’s performance peak, these shocks are well suited for use with special springs, antisway bars or other suspension upgrades.

HEAVY DUTY (HD)
For most vehicles including full-size sedans, SUVs and trucks. These shocks provide improved handling and stability without sacrificing ride comfort. They offer super damping ability that makes them ideal for heavy hauling for occasional off-road use, while maintaining an exceptional “street” ride.

Their website actually only lists the HDs for front struts, but shows both HD and Sport for the rear shocks.

I have also heard the sport is for lowered cars. That opinon is frequently tossed around on these forums.

The info from the website seems to contradict that.

Yes, lowering is a suspension modification. Yet, I have mods that do not include lowering (i.e. wonderbar, STB, SFCs) and want more aggressive performance.

So, are the sports what I should get then?

We need a definitive answer.

Check the following link from Shockwarehouse.com for BST Sport:

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/i...cted_year=1989

This link repeats the above:

http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?M...tein&SubChar=Q

JamesC

I got the tech line direct to Cris Bilstein"s office. Closed today but I will contact them tomorrow. Then maybe we can get this issue all figured out. Will post results of phone conversation when I talk to him. Badman

I just put on the sport shocks on the rear of my trans am. I got them from shockwarehouse.
My rear shock were shot,when I took them off I could compress them and pull them all the way out without any effort at all.

The bilstein front struts were out of my budget so I found a set of KYB AGX struts on e-bay for about $200,still waiting for them to get here.

Next month i will get some lowering springs,that car is way to high.
after that,subframe connectors,rear control arms,panhard bar.
Bob

hd's are for 1.5" lowering, 1--k mile worn spring ride height or factory. sports work well with the 2" lowering.

Talked to the pros at Bilstein today. On our cars the VE3-C522-H0 front strut is the same for standard spring or lowered spring cars. The rears have two different part numbers,one for standard spring cars and one for lowered spring cars. So the HD and Sport designation applies only to the rear shocks. AutoZone, who has the best price on the front struts($179.99ea.),uses the old Bilstein front strut part number S36-0201 on their website and at the computers at their stores.Bilstein says that when AutoZone orders them under the old number, you get the new number ones which will be on the box label. Hope that is clear to all, any questions about Bilstein products call their tech line @ 1-800-537-1085 7:30am to 4:30pm Mon.-Fri. PST. Badman