Glad the OP is happy with his Vorshlag-Bilstein StreetPro set-up...
These are very popular and many folks have been enjoying with the results. People seem to like the fact that the entire set-up is pre-assembled and can be installed in half the time (no need to compress the front springs to remove any OEM bits), and the ride and handling are both improved. Not to mention it has beefy inverted monotube construction with German built Bilstein components.
As for Bilstein making adjustable coilovers, they do... but they mostly cater to the German and Asian market car models.
Whenever they make a new PSS/PSS9/PSS10 series we always test them on a car, and usually change the springs they come with to proper coilover springs + Vorshlag camber plates. Some PSS series strut kits come with 60mm springs, but many are "beehive" springs made to fit the OEM upper spring perches...
We call these "semi-coilovers", but you just don't get the freedom of spring rate choices, the improved wheel/camber room or the height range of a straight 60mm coilover spring. We often convert these kits to work with a regular coilover spring.
Still the S197 has no such option from Bilstein. We've been awaiting their "36mm Motorsports strut kit" for going on 3 years, which could eventually become a more cost effective, inverted, monotube adjustable damping coilover strut we could then make fit the S197. The 46mm "BIG BOY" inverted kits (shown above) came out last year but they are really limited to rally use, and must use a BIG spring to clear the BIG inverted shaft body.
We got tired of waiting for Bilstein to offer this kit, so we've begun converting regular Bilstein monotubes to coilovers lately. The set shown above were built for a customers 1992 Mustang (Fox) with a Coyote 5.0 swap and IRS from an SN95 Cobra. This car (below) will be at our open house this weekend and it rides
great.
That set worked out so well that we tried it recently for the S197 chassis. We took the same shorter Bilstein we use in the StreetPro kit, removed the fixed lower spring perch, relocated and modified the swaybar bracket, and added a ring to mount our adjustable collar onto.
Then we played with ride heights, optimizing bump vs rebound travel, and tested some spring rates with our camber plates and ran them on Jerry's 2012 Boss302.
They fit great (with a shortened end link) and the ride quality was excellent.
We used our adjustable ride height platforms and coilover springs out back (same as we use on MCS or AST coilover kits) with the Bilstein monotube rear dampers, of course. As Jerry said, we also track tested the car at ECR, which was
back on Jan 24th.
After putting in number of hot laps driving, with Jerry riding shotgun, we were both pleasantly surprised at the improved handling of this new "TrackPro" coilover we made. This set-up with the rates we have chosen (much stiffer than "lowering springs") have a LOT less brake dive and body roll of the OE style springs, obviously.
We're scrambling to get the CNC production online as well as thrashing on construction projects at the shop this week, but we will announce the TrackPro Bilstein pricing soon. If you want to see the test car (above) this weekend Jerry will have the car at our Open House on Saturday Feb 7th from 10-4pm. He is going to be giving rides in it, so people can see and feel the ride and handling for themselves.
Our address is
here. Should be a fun event with free food, drinks and cars to look at all day.
thanks to you too beater!
