[V8] More Spring Info

[Jeremy Ward]

I thought this post to the NW Audi group was interesting and answers
some of the questions raised today...

Cheers,

- Jeremy

-----Original Message-----
From: AUDI-NW-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:AUDI-NW-owner at u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Todd Phenneger
Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 6:16 PM
To: northwest audi enthusiasts
Subject: Re: ur S4 suspension question

I fully Concur.
  I drove Dans car and loved it.  Wanted to buy it but couldn't.

Bilstiens Competition division is a pleasure to deal with and if
you give them your spring rates they will custom valve any of
their shocks to match.
  If you use stock springs the HD's will work nicely.  But if
you do go to the EuroS6 Spring Dan mentions you'll definately
want to go with the custom Valving.
I'll provide what I can for Valving Info:
DIG...DIG...SHUFFLE....5-yrs of Crud to sort through....THERE T
IS.
  E-mail me privately for the Name and COntact number of the
person I spoke with.  HE does valving for some of the Audi Rally
Teams.

Stock Specs:
S5/5ktq/V8  Applications
FRONT: 
  SPORT: P36-0369 - 119/107   Comp/Rebound
                    21.2" Extended / 17.28" Compressed
                    
  HD:    P36-0370 - 113/101n  Comp/Rebound
                    22.1" Extended / 17.28" Compressed

I BELIEVE These numbers to be accurate.  I KNOW the length
numbers are correct but my writing is a little faded on the
Dampening Rates.  Oddly they are Very Close.  For comparison the
4kq/ur-q rear Bilstien HD is  197/47 Comp/Rebound Dampening. 
Its odd to have them so close.

Anyhow, A call to the SHOP will answer any more questions you
have.
l8r
  Todd

--- Daniel Hussey <danh at s-cars.org> wrote:

> I've heard this from several people.  The Bilstiens are
> definately softer
> than the Konis...   mostly because the "Sport" shock and the
> "Heavy Duty"
> use the exact same dampering rate.  The only difference is the
> piston shaft
> length and where you hit the "sweet spot"...
> 
> I personally didn't like the Bilstiens or the H&R's, and opted
> for the
> factory european S6 Sport springs.  Now, these springs only
> lower the car
> about 3/4", about perfect IMHO, but much stiffer.  Because the
> drop is less
> than 1", you'd want to run Bilstien HD's.  However, knowing
> they aren't
> designed to run with such a stiff spring, I had mine custom
> valved by
> Bilstien to my specs (my best guess on what they should be to
> be matched
> properly to the springs).
> 
> In the end, I wish I had simply bought the european S6 Sport
> spring and
> shock combo (which uses a Sachs shock, I believe).  But, I
> think this would
> be the best combination for a truly "matched" sport setup that
> was factory
> engineered.  The other good thing is you won't have any
> alignment problems
> that require custom camber plates like many have found when
> lowering the car
> more than 1".
> 
> Now, I must say, that the S6 Sport springs and shocks are
> going to set you
> back more than your H&R/Bilstien combo, but I also think the
> discerning ur-S
> driver would be happy with thier choice if taken the road less
> traveled.
> Anyways, the factory S6 Sport spring/shock combo is available
> through
> Alexander Van Gerbig in Vermont.  I bought my springs from him
> and he's a
> pleasure to deal with.
> 
> Just remember to change out upper strut bearings, caps, dust
> boots, etc...
> These all get pretty warn out.  Also check control arms (the
> achillie's hill
> of the S4), tie rods, etc.
> 
> For ordering info, check out:
> 
> http://www.euro-audi-parts.com
> 
> Later,
> Dan
> '04 V70R
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Patrick Anderson" <patrick.anderson1 at comcast.net>
> To: "northwest audi enthusiasts" <audi-nw at u.washington.edu>
> Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 9:23 PM
> Subject: Re: ur S4 suspension question
> 
> 
> > I don't have an S4. But I had H&R with Bilstein sports. I
> absolutely hated
> > the Bilsteins from day one. Finally switched to Konis and I
> am super
> happy.
> > Whichever spring you go with, definitely go with the Konis.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "GregJ" <gregsj2 at comcast.net>
> > To: "northwest audi enthusiasts" <audi-nw at u.washington.edu>
> > Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 8:45 PM
> > Subject: Re: ur S4 suspension question
> >
> >
> > > Crew,
> > >
> > > I had Boge Turbogas and H&Rs on my 200-20v Avant.  While I
> loved the
> > > handling, Spokane's streets (crap) caused it to grow old. 
> So much so,
> > > that I swore off performance springs and shocks for my 
> "new" '93 urS4.
> > > So what's the most gentle performance spring/shock combo. 
> Is it, as
> Rich
> > > suggests Eibachs and Konis?   Inexpensive sources?  
> Pricing?  Anyone
> have
> > > this combo that would be willing to let me test drive it?
> > >
> > > Greg J
> > > BIRA.ORG
> > >
> > > Rich Letsinger wrote:
> > >
> > >>Hi Paul,
> > >>
> > >>I compared the Eibach springs to the H&R "V8" springs
> > >>a while back on the neighgorhood spring dyno.  I found
> > >>the rear springs to be almost identical in rate, but
> > >>the fronts of the H&Rs were about 20% stiffer.  The
> > >>ride height of the H&Rs is a tad lower also.
> > >>
> > >>I went with the Eibachs for more snow clearence and a
> > >>softer ride.  This kind of backfired with the Bilstein
> > >>shocks I used, their compression damping is too high
> > >>IMO.  I think you'd be very happy with Konis and
> > >>Eibachs.
> > >>
> > >>Cheers,
> > >>Rich