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New poster....frequent lurker....

I see several X'ers have changed from the factory Sport suspension to Bilstein HD's or some other strut/shock system and lowered w/ Eibach/HR.

My question...is the Eibach/Bilstein mod that much better than OEM Sport Suspension?

1) Eibach pro system through Jegs ~ $899 (includes struts/shocks and springs)
2) Eibach springs~$239 plus Bilstein HD's struts/shocks (Shockwarehouse) $586 (~$825)
3) OEM Sport struts/shocks and springs $493 from JPAM

I'm thinking door number 3....but could be talked into spending more if you guys say it would be worthwhile....thanks in advance!

I'll get my upgrades listed soon along w/ some pics,but so far on my 2002 3.0 I have invested in a new engine (2004 w/ 17k miles), new speakers (for the Alpine sytem), EBC red stuffand slotted/dimpled rotors (WOW what a difference in braking!) and black painted calipers w/ "Jaguar" on them (oooh...pretty), mesh lower grill, K&N (no difference noticed). While I'm at it...I 'm actively shopping tires & wheels and a Borla exhaust...

 

Bo - good question and thanks for the reponse.I have hopes to do track days and some AutoCross. Being in Fla. I will begoing w/ Summer tires year round. Ride comfort isn't that important to me (my Jeep Wrangler felt plush after having a CJ-7!).[sm=smiley16.gif]

 

Funny you should mention the bushings....I just (literally in the last 5 minutes) received the confirmation email from Jegs that my Prothane bushings are being shipped today, I had forgotten I ordered them a couple weeks ago and they were backordered. They are even red to match the car (not that anyone will be under there looking at the bushings....).

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[IMG]local://upfiles/2846/161B9FD5BB4342ABA0C73A48D5A34920.jpg[/IMG]

 

Do you have a 5 speed or auto...I hope for autocross you have the auto but you never know...What size rims do you want to go with as that will change what you may or may not do with the suspension. Most people with 18's and lowered suspension almost always rub. I've heard great things about the hd shocks from bilstein. People say they are stiffer than the jag sport shocks...

 

5 spd. I'll likely go with 17x7's.

 

Yeah I meant stick...my bad! Been stressed lately does that count?

 

Hey redjag..........sounds like you done a bit already with the X...nice one
Nice to see a frequent lurker become poster too.

The EBC Redstuff are awesome as you said, good choice.
Re the suspension I'd say go for option 3 as well. The OEM Sport is pretty good, although Spartan I think, maybe Somekidz went with Bilstein.

Good luck

Jim

 

red jag, if you're going to lower the xtype, stick with the oem wheels! get the aguila's but DO NOT go aftermarket if you will mod the suspension. you will regret it. Very few companies make wheels with an offset that go with the xtype, and even worse, you cant roll the rear fenders, so you'll have a slow 4 door 2 seater. I highly recomend the HD's as i have them for almost a year now, but they are not for lowered vehicles either, they are for stock height. This is the word streight from bilstein.

Just change your shocks, and get aguilas with some good quality tires like bo's michelins. Thats your safest bet on a good performing all around x'type. live and learn....

 

Thanks SKE, I read your other posts, and funny enough, I checked out your CarDomain site months ago w/o putting 2 + 2 together, great X!

Thanks for the heads up, after rereading alot of the suspension posts,I see your point. I will rethink the tire wheel decision a little more. Did I readcorrectly thatyour set up isthe Bilstein HD's on stock SE springs? Thanks again for the great info.

 

What are the parts numbers on those bushings can you get race bushings for the entire suspension. I have the lowering sportsprings from Arden with stock shocks. It was a huge improvement in handeling. I was hoping we could get somewhere are you guys afraid of my posts. WTF? Lets race these things and see what works!

 

EDLF - I agree, hope to get it on track (no pun intended) soon.

Here are the part numbers each number is a set of two. (I got them at through Jegs)




311-19-1119
BUSHING SWAY BAR 20MM FI
$12.99
1
$12.99

311-19-1118
BUSHING SWAY BAR 19MM FI
$11.99
1
$11.99

Prothane offers universal bushings for alot of different applications, so if you know the size of the ones you want to replace you may be able to find a fit in their catalog. www.prothane.com

How do you like the MagnaFlow exhaust? I had one on a prior vehicle and loved it.

 

Ah, I remember my autox days. Here's my pre-X-type baby...althought the one that came before this will always be the *first* baby..

 

Hey somekid i thought you could fit bilstein hd's to the sport suspension? IE meaning x-type sport models?

 

Hey 310.........love the car mate
What a really nice clean lookin example.....the engine bay looks great

Jim

 

Sweetride 310...how come all those cones are laying down...[sm=smiley32.gif]


Checked a couple other websites..allshocks.com and eshocks.com, both show the Bilstein HD's will fit either the Sport or Non-Sport models. Same part number, etc. ShockWarehouse still has better prices though.

You guys convinced me to hold off the aftermarket wheels (for now). I'll probably just widen my tires from the 205/55 to 225/50/16. Anyone need a set of virtually new (9/32-10/32 of tread) ContiTouring Contacts 205/55/16? Make you a good deal....