Any reviews for Bilstein HD shocks?

phat_toaster · 03-25-2012, 07:03 PM

Hey all,
Just bought an '89 with 147K miles and the suspension is toast. Tire Rack brings up the Bilstein HD shock, which I know is good, but not sure about application on a Supra. Here's the link:
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...=&dtab=Reviews
Also, I'd rather not override the electronic suspension. Any experience with the Bilsteins or other suggestions? I'm not going for a track car here, just trying to take her back to how she was meant to be while making it a little more current. Thanks in advance!

cre · 03-25-2012, 08:15 PM

The only TEMS compatible damper available any more are Tokico's Illumina II. All other adjustables for the MKIII are manually adjustable and often require removing the assembly to change settings. There are coilover setup which have their own electronic suspension system available separately but you're looking a $2K for the coilovers and another $1K for the control system and labor of the install.

pandrade · 03-26-2012, 01:11 AM

if it helps any i just got rid of my TEMS whith kyb gr-2's and for being 50 bucks a pop they have surpassed my expectasons, from what i remember the bilstines where more expensive but iv never used them

cre · 03-26-2012, 03:53 AM

Bilsteins are a stiff ride compared to other options. Compared to blown OEM dampers ANYTHING will feel WONDERFUL.

phat_toaster · 03-26-2012, 05:05 AM

Haha! Yeah, these babies are toast! I'm sure replacing them will greatly improve the ride and handling. Any other suspension bits I ought to swap while I'm under there? I know the stock bushings were mushy, and I assume they're still original. Any good recommendations? Thanks again!
P.S. -- This forum is awesome!

pandrade · 03-26-2012, 11:42 AM

im not expert but if you'r shockes where as blown as mine you ball joints might be about to go or are already gone maby time to replace while you'r already there

Quote:

Compared to blown OEM dampers ANYTHING will feel WONDERFUL

all truth nothing but the truth to this statement lol

phat_toaster · 03-26-2012, 05:16 PM

One more question: Before I fork out an extra $200 for the Tokico units, I want to be sure that the TEMS is actually functioning. I'd hate to spend the extra cash and find out that it's not adjusting anyway. It's just hard to discern anything from blown OEM dampers. Any suggestions?

pandrade · 03-27-2012, 02:25 PM

i would take the actuator motor that is on top of the shocks and have a buddy press the buttons to see if the actuators move acordingly, the front is 3 nuts and its off. the back is a pain because you have to take the side panels off the trunks interior to take the motor out to check but this is in my 87 which i belive had bigger and bulkier actuators than 89 and newer the newer models you might be able to squeez out of the pre cut hole since there smaller

any one correct me if im wrong since i would like to know

cre · 03-27-2012, 05:30 PM

Set the ignition to the "ON" position. Set the TEMS for "Sport". Pull the actuators and have someone "slam" the brakes as you watch each one. All three LEDs in the dash panel should move and the actuator should jump. Then have them turn off the "Sport" mode and the actuator should back off several degrees the other direction.

Here's the full diagnostic and service information: http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=FA&P=30

Bushings: Yes, the recommendation is to replace ALL of them. Even new stock bushings make a MASSIVE difference without sacrificing ride quality on a daily driven vehicle and there's less worry about copious amounts of squeaking than with poly bushings.

phat_toaster · 03-27-2012, 09:03 PM

Thanks, cre! How do you know everything? You're like the Supra Stig, the mysterious but undisputed expert. I ended up ordering the Tokico struts anyway because I want to try and stay somewhat true to the car. Even if the actuators aren't working now, I want the opportunity to get them working, rather than overriding them.

03-25-2012, 07:03 PM	#1
phat_toaster Intake Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Provo, UT Posts: 36	Any reviews for Bilstein HD shocks? Hey all, Just bought an '89 with 147K miles and the suspension is toast. Tire Rack brings up the Bilstein HD shock, which I know is good, but not sure about application on a Supra. Here's the link: http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/s...=&dtab=Reviews Also, I'd rather not override the electronic suspension. Any experience with the Bilsteins or other suggestions? I'm not going for a track car here, just trying to take her back to how she was meant to be while making it a little more current. Thanks in advance! __________________ '89 Supra Turbo Sport Roof, White on Blue -3" Magnaflow Exhaust -HKS Blow Off Valve -GReddy Turbo Timer -Tokico Illumina II Struts Last edited by phat_toaster; 03-25-2012 at 07:06 PM.

03-25-2012, 08:15 PM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The only TEMS compatible damper available any more are Tokico's Illumina II. All other adjustables for the MKIII are manually adjustable and often require removing the assembly to change settings. There are coilover setup which have their own electronic suspension system available separately but you're looking a $2K for the coilovers and another $1K for the control system and labor of the install. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

03-26-2012, 03:53 AM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Bilsteins are a stiff ride compared to other options. Compared to blown OEM dampers ANYTHING will feel WONDERFUL. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

03-26-2012, 05:05 AM	#5
phat_toaster Intake Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Provo, UT Posts: 36	Haha! Yeah, these babies are toast! I'm sure replacing them will greatly improve the ride and handling. Any other suspension bits I ought to swap while I'm under there? I know the stock bushings were mushy, and I assume they're still original. Any good recommendations? Thanks again! P.S. -- This forum is awesome! __________________ '89 Supra Turbo Sport Roof, White on Blue -3" Magnaflow Exhaust -HKS Blow Off Valve -GReddy Turbo Timer -Tokico Illumina II Struts

03-26-2012, 05:16 PM	#7
phat_toaster Intake Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Provo, UT Posts: 36	One more question: Before I fork out an extra $200 for the Tokico units, I want to be sure that the TEMS is actually functioning. I'd hate to spend the extra cash and find out that it's not adjusting anyway. It's just hard to discern anything from blown OEM dampers. Any suggestions? __________________ '89 Supra Turbo Sport Roof, White on Blue -3" Magnaflow Exhaust -HKS Blow Off Valve -GReddy Turbo Timer -Tokico Illumina II Struts

03-26-2012, 01:11 AM	#3
pandrade 12psi boost Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: fort myers florida Posts: 345	if it helps any i just got rid of my TEMS whith kyb gr-2's and for being 50 bucks a pop they have surpassed my expectasons, from what i remember the bilstines where more expensive but iv never used them

03-27-2012, 02:25 PM	#8
pandrade 12psi boost Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: fort myers florida Posts: 345	i would take the actuator motor that is on top of the shocks and have a buddy press the buttons to see if the actuators move acordingly, the front is 3 nuts and its off. the back is a pain because you have to take the side panels off the trunks interior to take the motor out to check but this is in my 87 which i belive had bigger and bulkier actuators than 89 and newer the newer models you might be able to squeez out of the pre cut hole since there smaller any one correct me if im wrong since i would like to know __________________ 1987 7m-gte R-154, SS braided clutch line, full 3in exshaust,aluminum radiator,full throttle gen 2 whith GM 3 inch mass air flow,13lbs flywheel, and more to come

03-27-2012, 05:30 PM	#9
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Set the ignition to the "ON" position. Set the TEMS for "Sport". Pull the actuators and have someone "slam" the brakes as you watch each one. All three LEDs in the dash panel should move and the actuator should jump. Then have them turn off the "Sport" mode and the actuator should back off several degrees the other direction. Here's the full diagnostic and service information: http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=FA&P=30 Bushings: Yes, the recommendation is to replace ALL of them. Even new stock bushings make a MASSIVE difference without sacrificing ride quality on a daily driven vehicle and there's less worry about copious amounts of squeaking than with poly bushings. __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

03-27-2012, 09:03 PM	#10
phat_toaster Intake Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Provo, UT Posts: 36	Thanks, cre! How do you know everything? You're like the Supra Stig, the mysterious but undisputed expert. I ended up ordering the Tokico struts anyway because I want to try and stay somewhat true to the car. Even if the actuators aren't working now, I want the opportunity to get them working, rather than overriding them. __________________ '89 Supra Turbo Sport Roof, White on Blue -3" Magnaflow Exhaust -HKS Blow Off Valve -GReddy Turbo Timer -Tokico Illumina II Struts

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