I had a '99 with the Bilstein shocks and found them a bit harsh but good. I know Koni is a rarer option. I had the standard LSD.
I'm looking at buying a 2002 (sold my '99.. kicking self) that has no shocks or LSD upgrade listed on the build-sheet.
Is the Auburn worth it? I street-drift lightly. With TCS off I was able to do that pretty easily.
What is a 'Hawk like without the Bilstein or Koni shocks? Is it softer and is the lateral-g-forces slightly less? Can these be an easy add-on?
Auburn and Billstein vs stock
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- Posts: 117
- Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:13 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: Auburn and Billstein vs stock
Found my answer here for the differential:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11944
Thing is, this site doesn't allow "common" searches, such as "Auburn" or "Limited Slip Differential" because they're too "common". Webmaster, can you fix that? I don't mind 100 pages. Makes searches frustrating.
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11944
Thing is, this site doesn't allow "common" searches, such as "Auburn" or "Limited Slip Differential" because they're too "common". Webmaster, can you fix that? I don't mind 100 pages. Makes searches frustrating.
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- Posts: 117
- Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:13 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: Auburn and Billstein vs stock
Okay, so I researched the shocks too. Now I used to have a '98 Firebird V6 and the suspension, especially at high-speeds was scary and vague. The Firehawk '99 I owned had the Bilstein and it was crisp and actually handled better over 100 mph. I suspect the Koni will be, depending on the 3 settings, more of "that". I remember the Bilsteins were a bit cruel on rough road though. By 60k miles they were shot.
Now, if SLP didn't supply any shock option on the build-sheet, what came stock and how were those? Can anyone talk of those vs. Bilstein vs. Koni?
Now, if SLP didn't supply any shock option on the build-sheet, what came stock and how were those? Can anyone talk of those vs. Bilstein vs. Koni?
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Re: Auburn and Billstein vs stock
I've got 2 2002 Trans Ams, a WS6 & a Firehawk. Both are lowered on Strano springs with Koni ocas. The Firehawk is set to full hard & corners like a slot car on rails. I feel every bump in the road. The WS6 is full soft & the ride is much more forgiving. Of course it can't handle cornering like the Hawk. Konis are expensive, but allow you to tailor the ride to your specific application.
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Re: Auburn and Billstein vs stock
I've owned the Bilsteins and after 20k miles road-harshness was like a hammer-smash on a table for every tiny pebble in the road. By 60k miles it was like being beat up by Mike Tyson on PCP.
In retrospect, I've owned a 1998 V6 Firebird and it was like floating on clouds with vague steering that threatened doom at every dangerous turn like wet oatmeal.
I've owned since then a 2006 Lotus Elise, a 2008 Saturn Sky RL, a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport with magnetic ride-control, and currently I have (and am selling on AutoTrader) a 2006 Pontiac Solstice V8 Mallett. All the suspensions on those were pretty acceptable. Honestly, the best so far is that Solstice. Chuck Mallett did some magic there; very planted and nice.
In retrospect, I've owned a 1998 V6 Firebird and it was like floating on clouds with vague steering that threatened doom at every dangerous turn like wet oatmeal.
I've owned since then a 2006 Lotus Elise, a 2008 Saturn Sky RL, a 2012 Corvette Grand Sport with magnetic ride-control, and currently I have (and am selling on AutoTrader) a 2006 Pontiac Solstice V8 Mallett. All the suspensions on those were pretty acceptable. Honestly, the best so far is that Solstice. Chuck Mallett did some magic there; very planted and nice.
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- Posts: 117
- Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:13 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
Re: Auburn and Billstein vs stock
BILSTEIN ULTRA PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
35mm front stabilizer bar
21mm rear stabilizer bar
Reinforced stabilizer bar brackets and special end-links
Bilstein shocks, recalibrated to SLP specs.
Progressive-rate front springs 223 to 448 lb.-per-inch
Progressive-rate rear springs 97 to 136 lb.-per-inch
Rear trailing arms with 1LE bushings
1LE panhard bar
Option Price: $999
1LE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
35mm front stabilizer bar
21mm rear stabilizer bar
Reinforced stabilizer bar brackets and special end-links
Double-adjustable Koni shocks
Linear-rate front springs: 360 lb.-per-inch
Progressive-rate rear springs 130-170 lb.-per-inch
Front lower control arms with higher durometer bushings
Rear trailing arms with higher durometer bushings
Panhard bar with higher durometer bushings
Option Price: $1,850.
Not sure what the "base" option setup for the SLP conversion Firehawk was. Anyone?
35mm front stabilizer bar
21mm rear stabilizer bar
Reinforced stabilizer bar brackets and special end-links
Bilstein shocks, recalibrated to SLP specs.
Progressive-rate front springs 223 to 448 lb.-per-inch
Progressive-rate rear springs 97 to 136 lb.-per-inch
Rear trailing arms with 1LE bushings
1LE panhard bar
Option Price: $999
1LE SUSPENSION SYSTEM
35mm front stabilizer bar
21mm rear stabilizer bar
Reinforced stabilizer bar brackets and special end-links
Double-adjustable Koni shocks
Linear-rate front springs: 360 lb.-per-inch
Progressive-rate rear springs 130-170 lb.-per-inch
Front lower control arms with higher durometer bushings
Rear trailing arms with higher durometer bushings
Panhard bar with higher durometer bushings
Option Price: $1,850.
Not sure what the "base" option setup for the SLP conversion Firehawk was. Anyone?