bjhille

I have been doing a lot of reading over the past several days to determine the best options for my 2006 SC430 with 88K miles on it. Nobody has said that the shocks are gone, but I highly suspect they're shot. I have read a lot about install Bilstein's (not interested in coil overs), but it appears that only works for 2002-2005. Why wouldn't these work on an 06?

Are their any other options other than just replacing with stock parts? Seems rather expense just for a set of shocks.

Thanks. Brian

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

you can use the bilsteins front and rears. must order gs 300 shocks hd. rears must be cut 11/4" an your good to go. I use the bilstein sports but I did much more work to them. fronts reduced from 30% to 10% and revalved for the 430sc. rears reduced from 30% to 10% revalved for the 430sc, cut rears 11/4. you don't need to do what I did. get bilstein hd fronts install, rears must cut 11/4 from valve body install. bilstein will cut them for you just send them to them an your good to go. I a happy camper with them. you will have to change the springs, I use Swift Springs for the 05 drop front .8 and .6 rear. must use 05 springs.

bjhille

Is there something about the springs on an 06 that stops the blistens from working? From everything I read I understand it doesn't work, but I don't understand why.

Are there aftermarket springs you would recommend? I do not want to change the ride height. I thought the 06 had a better suspension, am I really better off falling to an 05 spring?

Thanks for the help.

Brian

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

brian
you must change the springs for shocks to work. like I said I use Swift Springs for them to work. you can use any spring if you want but I use Swift Springs they are a great spring and much lighter. used in japan I didn't want the springs to drop the car to low .8" front and .6" rear. to me this is just right. I use the work rims with my 18" rim. never have any problems what so ever. you will be like me a happy camper.

bjhille

I just measured from the ground to the cut out for the wheel well. The front is 27" and the rear is 27.5". If I understand lowering correctly, that part of the fender will be .8 and .6 drop from those same points, right? I have read about lowered cars having accelerated tire wear due to the camber adjustment. I think it was camber...whatever, it's wearing the tires on the inside. Lol! Will there still be enough adjustment if I go the routed you suggest?

Thanks. Brian

JohnnyCake

Very timely thread -- my 06 may be in the same situation.

Does the answer to "what replacement shock" depend on what you are trying to achieve? Some have mod the SC into more of a performance racer.

I'm in the "plush and comfortable ride" camp. Assuming that I don't want to get gouged for OEM shocks and will install myself, what recommendation?

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

i don't use the the stock camber adjustment. i think its a bad setup. i have them adjusted as straight up as possible. my align. at present is -0.2 and -0.2 rear is -0.7 and -07 this works for me nice. no tire ware so far. the Swift Springs are very comfortable and lighter then stock springs great ride.

bjhille

Okay, so this drop will still let me adjust the stock camber out of it for normal (non-sc430) tire wear. Cool.

Can you help me understand this drop though? I don't really want to change my ride height at all. I understand that I need to use an 04 spring, is that higher than the 06 stock spring? In other words, my car is currently sitting on 06 shock part at 27" in the front and 27.5 in the rear? What is your car riding at with these springs?

Thanks. Brian

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

car is in the shop getting new bumper with out the washer holes and repainting the hood. no accident changing bumper redoing hood with better and harder paint on hood .if you don't want to change the springs you can't use the bilsteins. you will have use the stock shocks.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...just curious...are you wanting to lower the car ??? If not, then why change the springs ??? I would just buy the shocks.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...hey Barcardi, I know both of our cars have been lowered & we're using the Bilstein. We changed our springs for lowering purpose,ride,etc...so if they bolt up to lowered spring setup, then why won't they bolt up to factory setup(none of the bolt holes change) ??? I would think you would be getting an even better ride, with a better shock. Plus no modifications would be needed , I think...lol...would love to hear from other members on this, wouldn't won't to steer bjhille away from a potentially great ride

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

tex
I think it has some thing to do with the strut, springs setup from my understanding you can not use the stock springs with the bilstein shocks that all I know. the 430sc with bilstein is a great ride.the swift springs I use are 214.00 for all 4 and the drop is .8 front and .6 rear and what a ride.
tex I don't think anyone has done it to the 06+ cars if so let us know. i'm sure you can use the stock 04 springs.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...since I didn't or don't know for sure, I just didn't want to give some bad information out.

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

he can use the 02-04 stock springs. I went with swift springs.

bjhille

I really don't want to lower the car, but I think I'm in need of new shocks. Does anyone know if the 04 springs will make my car sit higher than with the 06 stock springs? If I get the lowering springs, that might return the car to stock 06 height...at least that's what I'm hoping for.

Bacardi11, did your car come back from the shop yet? I'd be curious the measurements to the top of the wheel well.

Thanks again for the help. Brian