Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
#1
Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
I bought a set of Bilstein's from a member here long ago... (I'm wiser now)...
The struts I got form him were dark blue... not the yellow I see on most pictures...
Does anyone else have Bilstein struts that are dark blue?
(been doing suspension work on a couple of cars lately & was wondering about this)....
Thanks,
Rafael
The struts I got form him were dark blue... not the yellow I see on most pictures...
Does anyone else have Bilstein struts that are dark blue?
(been doing suspension work on a couple of cars lately & was wondering about this)....
Thanks,
Rafael
#3
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ahead of you...
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1984 LG4 Camaro
Engine: 350 Roller Motor
Transmission: Level 10 700R4
Axle/Gears: Strange 12 bolt 3.42
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
As far as I know, all 3rd gen applications are yellow and have been since they started making them (my set is from 1990). Some of the coil overs are aluminum color, but that is not a fitment for our cars.
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bethlehem, CT
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1983 Firebird SE
Engine: C5 LS1
Transmission: 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
Note Twin Turbo is in Europe. Bilstein seems to sell only the yellow shocks in North America.
#9
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,686
Received 745 Likes
on
505 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
If the yellow chips off, they are black under the yellow.
#11
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bethlehem, CT
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1983 Firebird SE
Engine: C5 LS1
Transmission: 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
Ah, marketing.
I will be more specific in what I am trying to say. My guess is Bilstein places itself as a premium product here, and only sells performance oriented shocks on this side of the Atlantic. However, in Europe they are more like Monroe, and half a fuller range of product. That is both sport and OEM replacement. Probably some OEM, too.
I will be more specific in what I am trying to say. My guess is Bilstein places itself as a premium product here, and only sells performance oriented shocks on this side of the Atlantic. However, in Europe they are more like Monroe, and half a fuller range of product. That is both sport and OEM replacement. Probably some OEM, too.
#13
Supreme Member
iTrader: (25)
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
If I order bilsteins here they come from the US most likely, same for the Konis. Most likely the blacks have been discontinued for the 3rd gens.
They are nothing like Monroe or Gabriel or any of that junk. They are the same build quality, the valving is just not as sporty as the yellow ones. If they ride and handle fine I would keep them.They would be someething like the koni reds vs the koni yellows. It is a good quality strut!
As for OEM, the rear shocks on IROCs, WS6 and what not on these cars were OEM Delco Bilsteins!! The yellow stock rear shocks. They are a nice shock also, a lot better than most of the aftermarkey junk iuncluding KYB crap and all. I have 1 car with all the stock shocks on it and 1 w/ koni reds in the front and the original bilsteins in the rear. Nothing wrong with those. I chose to keep them instead of getting something else because I didn't have a set of replacement rear shocks (only had 1 and half set of koni reds, the 4 reds are on another car and 1 set of bilsteins and 1 set of yellow konis)
They are nothing like Monroe or Gabriel or any of that junk. They are the same build quality, the valving is just not as sporty as the yellow ones. If they ride and handle fine I would keep them.They would be someething like the koni reds vs the koni yellows. It is a good quality strut!
As for OEM, the rear shocks on IROCs, WS6 and what not on these cars were OEM Delco Bilsteins!! The yellow stock rear shocks. They are a nice shock also, a lot better than most of the aftermarkey junk iuncluding KYB crap and all. I have 1 car with all the stock shocks on it and 1 w/ koni reds in the front and the original bilsteins in the rear. Nothing wrong with those. I chose to keep them instead of getting something else because I didn't have a set of replacement rear shocks (only had 1 and half set of koni reds, the 4 reds are on another car and 1 set of bilsteins and 1 set of yellow konis)
#14
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bethlehem, CT
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1983 Firebird SE
Engine: C5 LS1
Transmission: 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
Interesting that shocks bought in Europe would be made in US. I would have thought they would have more widespread manufacturing, like the tire business.
By OEM I was thinking they would be building for European car makers. I did not mean 3rd gen OEM.
My mention of Monroe was comparing market position, not quality.
Maybe the black ones were purchased by someone stationed in Europe. Could be how they got here.
By OEM I was thinking they would be building for European car makers. I did not mean 3rd gen OEM.
My mention of Monroe was comparing market position, not quality.
Maybe the black ones were purchased by someone stationed in Europe. Could be how they got here.
Last edited by Flip 2; 03-13-2013 at 11:01 AM. Reason: Add thought
#15
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,686
Received 745 Likes
on
505 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
Does anyone have good info on the diff between the black and yellows?
#16
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
That would be good, to know for sure... if these are Bilstein OE replacments...
I've had 2 friends buy new Bilstein OE replacements (other cars ) and they were both unhappy with them... They said they rode just as bad or worse than the stock / worn out stuff...
Rafael
I've had 2 friends buy new Bilstein OE replacements (other cars ) and they were both unhappy with them... They said they rode just as bad or worse than the stock / worn out stuff...
Rafael
#17
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
Bilstein called back, but left a message...
He said they only made dark blue for Rousch...
So I called back and left another message, black with blue logo, and that I was told by others that they are OE replacements, if there is any specific info on them... We'll see...
Rafael
He said they only made dark blue for Rousch...
So I called back and left another message, black with blue logo, and that I was told by others that they are OE replacements, if there is any specific info on them... We'll see...
Rafael
#19
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
The mystery deepens...
Bilstein said...
"I talked to one of our sales guys and he said it is a proprietary strut that we build for SLP, Hochkiss, or Race Car Dynamics"
Hmmm... I know SLP, Hochiss built stuff for our cars (not sure of RCD)... Why would they have a strut built for OE replacement and not make it an upgrade... Anyways, I asked Bilstein if he had any additional info (oe replacement, upgrade, sport)... I still need to take the tire off and see the part # on the actual strut and sent that to him...
Rafael
Bilstein said...
"I talked to one of our sales guys and he said it is a proprietary strut that we build for SLP, Hochkiss, or Race Car Dynamics"
Hmmm... I know SLP, Hochiss built stuff for our cars (not sure of RCD)... Why would they have a strut built for OE replacement and not make it an upgrade... Anyways, I asked Bilstein if he had any additional info (oe replacement, upgrade, sport)... I still need to take the tire off and see the part # on the actual strut and sent that to him...
Rafael
#20
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Bethlehem, CT
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1983 Firebird SE
Engine: C5 LS1
Transmission: 6 speed
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
Is it a Firehawk strut? Call SLP.
Whatever, sounds like you have something better than stock replacement.
Good detective work.
Whatever, sounds like you have something better than stock replacement.
Good detective work.
#23
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Il
Posts: 11,686
Received 745 Likes
on
505 Posts
Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 Hawkclone
Engine: 4++,350 & 305 CIs
Transmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5
Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
All the 91-2 firehawks I have seen, use the factory Formula struts they come with.
#24
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
I asked what the ones I have are compareable to...(oe, upgrade or HD).... he stated...
"This would be comparable to the HD.
Wes Welch
Technical Product Information Coordinator
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
14102 Stowe Drive
Poway, CA 92064"
I'm still going to get the part # and verify before I do a little dance
Rafael
"This would be comparable to the HD.
Wes Welch
Technical Product Information Coordinator
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America
14102 Stowe Drive
Poway, CA 92064"
I'm still going to get the part # and verify before I do a little dance
Rafael
#25
Re: Bilstein Strut & Shocks Color...???
Was working on car this week.... found the number on the strut.... emailed Wes @ Bilstein...
"We used to have another manufacturer make the housing for us and we would put our strut insert into the housing, so it is basically the same as an HD."
I played with the contrast and stuff to make numbers easier to read, but they are not black, they are a dark blue...
Rafael
"We used to have another manufacturer make the housing for us and we would put our strut insert into the housing, so it is basically the same as an HD."
I played with the contrast and stuff to make numbers easier to read, but they are not black, they are a dark blue...
Rafael
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LT1Formula
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
7
10-08-2015 08:34 PM