Better check Ebay for some cheap Bilstein dampers 
Spec Miata, one of the most popular road racing classes in American amateur motorsports, is about to see a big change for 2019: Bilstein dampers will be replaced with Penskes. When the class was formed nearly 20 years ago, the rules required off-the-shelf Bilsteins. They will be replaced with shock absorbers specifically designed for motorsports.
Four manufacturers replied to a request for proposal, and the different dampers were tested at Carolina Motorsports Park. Panic Motorsports supplied the cars, while Long Road Racing handled logistics. The driver roster included former pro Randy Pobst, MX-5 Cup champ John Dean II and Mazda factory driver Joel Miller. The Mazda release notes that the test used four different versions of the Miata as well as both Toyo and Hoosier tires. “Spec Miata goes from a street shock to a race shock,” Pobst tells us. “Just that simple. The car has always been way underdamped.”
Both NASA and SCCA have approved the new dampers for competition beginning January 1, 2019, a Mazda release explains, with a sunset timeline being set for the outgoing pieces. Mazda Motorsports expects to have the Penskes in stock this November. Converting each car–dampers, top mounts and hardware–will cost about a grand.
Better check Ebay for some cheap Bilstein dampers
trigun7469 said:Better check Ebay for some cheap Bilstein dampers
I have pre purchased 4 sets now....
That price point is crazy though. 1k for a full coil over suspension setup using Penske dampers. Makes me wonder if they're making any money off of these kits. Or if they're even breaking even.
Professor_Brap said:trigun7469 said:Better check Ebay for some cheap Bilstein dampers
I have pre purchased 4 sets now....
How would the SM Bilsteins work with stock springs for an ES NB2?
They're certainly cheap.
boxedfox said:That price point is crazy though. 1k for a full coil over suspension setup using Penske dampers. Makes me wonder if they're making any money off of these kits. Or if they're even breaking even.
1k for a set of non-adjustable shocks and upper mounts. Bring your own springs.
SM Bilsteins are just off-the-shelf HDs. Nothing magic. There are already lots of cheap ones out there. If they’ve been revalved for SM rates, they’ll be way overdamped for stock springs.
If they work anywhere near as well as the Penske road race dampers I've driven on, I'd still say that's a bargain. They just seem to do the basics really well - good consistent damping across the range with very progressive fade characteristics.
Keith Tanner said:boxedfox said:That price point is crazy though. 1k for a full coil over suspension setup using Penske dampers. Makes me wonder if they're making any money off of these kits. Or if they're even breaking even.
1k for a set of non-adjustable shocks and upper mounts. Bring your own springs.
SM Bilsteins are just off-the-shelf HDs. Nothing magic. There are already lots of cheap ones out there. If they’ve been revalved for SM rates, they’ll be way overdamped for stock springs.
Thanks,Keith. I'm going to wait till next spring to get new shocks.
boxedfox said:If they work anywhere near as well as the Penske road race dampers I've driven on, I'd still say that's a bargain. They just seem to do the basics really well - good consistent damping across the range with very progressive fade characteristics.
They may be very good if valved well, but the price point isn't out of line.
I tried finding “cheap” bilsteins on eBay... nothing even remotely close to cheap. Maybe it’ll pick up now that it’s official. I checked three days ago and everyone was selling but at a price point of “stupid”.
I don't think the Penskes are shipping yet. You won't see the used Bilsteins until that happens.
Displaying 1-10 of 17 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
