I just removed my Bilstein Struts, and put the OEM WS6 struts back in. Then I'm googling. Bilstein doesn't even make 3rd gen struts any more !! I had Bilstein re-valve these for auto-x back in the day... I'm going to shelve these for future use.. or maybe they are valuable at this point.

 

The market has changed and I'm not sure where Bilstein lands in the order of desirability. Off the shelf it is comparable to Koni, but the Bilsteins were always more desirable to racers because it could be rebuilt and custom valved. However, JRI now makes a strut for our cars so that's a game changer.

What I've learned over the years is hanging on to old speed parts usually doesn't pay off because eventually something better comes along. Generally better to sell while the stuff is still relevant. I sold my Bilstein struts while I could.

 

I've got a set of 1LE spindles that I hung onto too long. The aftermarket began fitting 1LE bearings into standard spindles, and most GM brake upgrades fit the offset of standard spindles too. Now the 1LE is just a bastard design that nobody wants.

 

JRI is $3600 for struts.. Not too many will buy those. I have real 1LE spindles on my 89. I brought them back in the day, and converted my fronts to 1LE. Sure I could have hacked up my original spindles, but I wanted it to look factory.

 

How do 1LE spindles differ? ('Sorry, I know this is not a spindle thread)

 

Physically larger, stronger, bigger bearings, wider track, different brake backspacing.

 

A little thicker boss where the old dust shield mounted (used for 1LE bracket) and the iron caliper ears are cut off for the larger rotor and caliper mounting brackets.
The rotor face makes the wider track width and the outer bearings are the same ID with the 1le having the larger OD outer bearing.

 

We have a few sets of UMI Afco struts still available. We took the Afco 3rd Gen drag struts and had them revalved with a handling friendly damping curve. Dragonlady GTA has had them on for a few seasons now.

Much like the JRi's mentioned above (although these are twin tube d/a instead of monotube) the price point makes them a slow mover. Awesome damper but slow mover.

UMI Afco struts

 

The Bilstiens and Koni's are not comparable. The I have the Bilstien HD's and have Koni's on another car. Bilstiens are a comfortable street shock, but lack greatly when compared to the Koni's for handling. If you can get thridgen Koni's still do it.

 

Just thought I'd jump in here with some relevant information I came across mid to late last year while hunting for shocks myself, that is correct bilstein has discontinued their 3rd gen range AND so has Koni. Koni will however still make to order for 3rd gens but only in large quantities, 25 sets of 2 as a minimum. I got this info from a guy who is apparently the only person approved by Koni in Australia to rebuild and alter their shocks.

 

This isn't completely unheard of for aftermarket parts on older cars, and though I don't know for sure, I think it's been this way with Koni for awhile. I looked into a set of Koni's for my 89 a few years ago and was told they were out of stock, but they're typically restocked within a few weeks. Never pulled the trigger. Then just recently, I DID purchase a set of Koni's for my 88 and was told the same thing. Sure enough, it took about a month.

 

It's not just struts, or aftermarket parts, everything for our cars is becoming hard to get. Nearly every part I've looked up at the major chain stores lately has come up as not available. Stuff like PBR brake calipers, and radiators, exhaust pipes, etc just aren't being offered anymore.

 

I have a pair of NOS 1LE spindles that I never used as well. I have no idea if they'll ever be used or just sit in their GM boxes for eternity.

 

Someone should sell me a set of 1LE spindles so I can finish an install.