Schocks crossover list

[ALEXAKOS]

I am trying to locate spring and schok codes to replace min 30 year old ones. Girling are not imported in my country. So I am looking for crossover parts
Can you please add product codes if you are wearing other than the Girling shocks.
Honeslty..Who thought of the naming GIRL-ing for shocks?

I have seen so far:
Eibach
Bilstein
KYB
Monroe Matic-Plus: Front 32150 / Rear 33049
KW's Coilover Kit V2 Part #: 15299014

Should you have details on springs... they are welcome

[Josh]

Keep in mind that most cross over rear shocks do not have the lip on the body to rest the spring perch on. People use locking collars, however this is a bad bad idea IMO. For the fronts any shock that fits a 1975-1991 Ford econoline E-150 will fit, the shocks need about 10mm of spacers on each side where they mount to the LCA. These are CHEAP shocks, not inexpensive, and are not designed for the delorean at all. Dont expect a much from them!

[jawn101]

Girling aren't available at all anymore, the OEM front ones are highly sought after (just ask Josh at DPI)

I'd go with one of the vendor's options... but look out for the Special T rears. They use a questionable mounting method. Talk to Dave at MW or Josh at DPI for your best options. You don't want to cheap on the shocks.

[Josh]

Girling aren't available at all anymore, the OEM front ones are highly sought after (just ask Josh at DPI)

I'd go with one of the vendor's options... but look out for the Special T rears. They use a questionable mounting method. Talk to Dave at MW or Josh at DPI for your best options. You don't want to cheap on the shocks.

You can still order the rear girlings from DMCH

[jawn101]

You can still order the rear girlings from DMCH

Sorry, yes - that's what I meant. Front Girlings are NLA.

[Josh]

Sorry, yes - that's what I meant. Front Girlings are NLA.

To be honest it surprised me that they were still available. I went with those on the rears and the monroes on the front... about $100 for shocks all around. Not ideal but they are shocks. In the meantime I will save up for the spax shocks and eibachs...

[ALEXAKOS]

okay, do we have an Eibach product number??
I have found front matching (front are easy to match here in europe) Fiat, Lancia, Renault from Sachs and KYB

Rear Bilstein used for BMW 7 series and rear VW Golf series match also with slight length difference

[Josh]

I was refering to the eibach springs. Any further details on the WV shocks? I was not aware of these.

[Dangermouse]

Alex

You should join one (or both) of the UK forums if you haven't already.

Www.deloreanEurotec.com

Www.deloreans.co.uk

They are "up" with all the various components that are available in Europe (they are big fans of Spax)

[ALEXAKOS]

Alex
You should join one (or both) of the UK forums if you haven't already.

:thinkin::thinkin::thinkin::thinkin:

So you are kicking me back to my barn? hahahah
Actually I am a member of the german and both UK forums (not active).
Funny is that those forums have several links to HERE when the goin gets tough:elmo1:

[ALEXAKOS]

Apparently the Uk owners replace them with Pro Tech shocks and Spax
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l55/Chris_Von_Bron/UIJ%20197/ProtechSpaxabove2.jpg

The pro tech's advantage of better "tuning" with their two regulating knobs.
At about 800USD +shipping


SPAX (http://motorsport-tuning.co.uk/onlineshop/index.php?cPath=459_460_461) are at about the same price.

There are SPAX sellers across the US (http://www.spaxperformance.com/buy-stores.php) as well.

[Dangermouse]

So you are kicking me back to my barn? hahahah


Certainly not!.

Just giving you options.

Because most of the running gear and suspension/brake systems are from other European cars, they have good cross-over parts that simply aren't available in the US. They can walk into a motor-parts store and just pick up tie-rod ends (aka track-rod ends) for example.

They have just discovered the original OEM manufacturer for the suspension springs and are getting some remade. Last year they got a special run of Pirelli P600 rear tyres made (UK forum that is)!


Funny is that those forums have several links to HERE when the goin gets tough

This is true, especially for AC matters. Each forum certainly has their experts, it's just that there are probably more of them here due to the size.

[ALEXAKOS]

Just kidding. Not offended:)
Yeah. Those forums need pest control as well..
They have their share of mouse in the house ;)

[Dangermouse]

I know right. That vermin gets everywhere :woot:

[kings1527]

Girling aren't available at all anymore, the OEM front ones are highly sought after (just ask Josh at DPI)

I'd go with one of the vendor's options... but look out for the Special T rears. They use a questionable mounting method. Talk to Dave at MW or Josh at DPI for your best options. You don't want to cheap on the shocks.

I think I still have my original Girlings on the front. In fact, all the way around.

Are sticking with the originals the 'first choice'? I think mine are still in great shape. I didn't know the OEM Girlings were so highly sought after.

[vwdmc16]

If they still work good yes they are pretty nice but its rare that they aren't leaking by now

[chris williams]

This is true, especially for AC matters. Each forum certainly has their experts, it's just that there are probably more of them here due to the size

Thats exactly it! We only have probably about 250 'D's in the UK and a lot of these are in museums and private collections. As for shocks, I was the person who had the Spax shocks developed and tested the first sets on my car. However whilst I still think they are a good product I do think the Protech ones that another UK member had developed (Chris Hawes) are probably a better option as they are similar price (in the UK) and look to be a much stronger construction. At the end of the day the more options there are the better for everyone.
Chris

[jawn101]

If they still work good yes they are pretty nice but its rare that they aren't leaking by now

Mine are still good to go and I'm really, really happy with them. Once I put the new springs in I was so pleased with my ride. Not sure what I'll do when I have to get new shocks - whatever Josh is recommending that day, I'm sure.

[Delorean Industries]

If I'm the Josh being referenced :)


I have always liked the SPAX units and plan to use this option indefinitely. I have made a few modifications to how they are used. The main change is addressing the upper bushing issue. With extensive testing on the DPI-Mules we now offer the fronts with an updated poly bushing/washer combination. Thousands of miles tested at this point with no failure issues like the earlier options.

For those interested in the updated shock poly bushings/ washer combination they are available here:

http://delorean.gostorego.com/parts/spec-suspension/spax-front-shock-bushing-upgrade-poly.html

[jawn101]

If I'm the Josh being referenced :)


I have always liked the SPAX units and plan to use this option indefinitely. I have made a few modifications to how they are used. The main change is addressing the upper bushing issue. With extensive testing on the DPI-Mules we now offer the fronts with an updated poly bushing/washer combination. Thousands of miles tested at this point with no failure issues like the earlier options.

For those interested in the updated shock poly bushings/ washer combination they are available here:

http://delorean.gostorego.com/parts/spec-suspension/spax-front-shock-bushing-upgrade-poly.html

You know it was you... what are you, psychic? Fastest response ever.

Not that it's really of any consequence, but are your Spax still yellow or are they black now?

[Delorean Industries]

When DMC also used the SPAX option they were offering black and DPI yellow or gray. Now that they have opted out we have taken over the black per our next order. We have sold through the current pallet of yellow and will be reordering black in quantity within the next few weeks.

[ALEXAKOS]

Since I got plenty of pros on the line here, let me have your insights on my new solutions.
A customized set (especially for the D) of bilsteins.

In the rear I am getting the BMW 7 series type yellow option
http://www.carid.com/images/wp/bilstein/w01331606622bil.jpg


and the front, an unaltered set of Bilsteins yellow telescopics.
http://www.gmpperformance.com/CFJFiles/GMP/7017_b.jpg


Any votes for against?

[Bitsyncmaster]

Since I got plenty of pros on the line here, let me have your insights on my new solutions.
A customized set (especially for the D) of bilsteins.

In the rear I am getting the BMW 7 series type yellow option
http://www.carid.com/images/wp/bilstein/w01331606622bil.jpg


and the front, an unaltered set of Bilsteins yellow telescopics.
http://www.gmpperformance.com/CFJFiles/GMP/7017_b.jpg


Any votes for against?

What is that shaft diameter? They look pretty thin in the photos.

[DMCMW Dave]

The biggest problem you have with swapping rear shocks from other cars is that most of the ones that look like they will work (Monroe, etc. are not intended to carry the weight of the car i.e. the spring pocket. They were designed strictly as shock absorbers mounted between the frame and a load-carrying suspension part (like the DMC front suspension). The worry is that the shock body will be too weak and the lower bushings are not up to the load.

Were these intended to carry the spring at the bottom?

Using alternative fronts is safer, you need to get the length pretty close, and if you get the damping wrong you just end up with a strange ride. If you mess up on the rears you can drop the spring.

[ALEXAKOS]

What is that shaft diameter? They look pretty thin in the photos.
They both are thicker than stock



Were these intended to carry the spring at the bottom?


Thank you for the forensic reply Dave!
They actually proposed the BMW7 series fronts exactly for the reason of weight. The seven series carry's 3395 lbs (the D just at 2743 lbs) on its shocks with a weight distribution of a perfect 50/50. Ze Germans!!!:clown:

As soon as they saw my D shocks they realized that the car I am looking shocks for has a rather strong demand in the rear. Before proceeding they asked me for details on weight and images of the suspension system. The spring cap will be lowered 2 inches. (that is the only mod to be done).

They also proposed progressive springs for a smoother ride at low speeds and harder hold at rather radical movements
Image for those who have not seen progressive springs.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q16/ephatchpics/Image016.jpg

[chris williams]

Looks very interesting, be good to see the finished product and how it works on your car. If you would be good enough to post up part numbers Etc as well then that's another option for the DeLorean community.
Chris

[Bitsyncmaster]

I would think all shocks are built strong enough to carry many times the weight of the car. Afterall when you "fly" over a pot hole the shocks get a shock of very high pressures. I think I still have my old rear shocks which I could cut up and get the metal thickness measured. But without cutting of the alternatives that data would not do much good.

[ALEXAKOS]

I sure will give you all some feedback on my trial shock exchange

[r00b]

Apparently the Uk owners replace them with Pro Tech shocks and Spax
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l55/Chris_Von_Bron/UIJ%20197/ProtechSpaxabove2.jpg

The pro tech's advantage of better "tuning" with their two regulating knobs.
At about 800USD +shipping


SPAX (http://motorsport-tuning.co.uk/onlineshop/index.php?cPath=459_460_461) are at about the same price.

There are SPAX sellers across the US (http://www.spaxperformance.com/buy-stores.php) as well.

Where can we get the Pro Techs?

[ALEXAKOS]

Where can we get the Pro Techs?
http://www.protechshocks.co.uk/
send them an email asking for a delorean set quote shipped to you

[DMCMW Dave]

I would think all shocks are built strong enough to carry many times the weight of the car. Afterall when you "fly" over a pot hole the shocks get a shock of very high pressures. I think I still have my old rear shocks which I could cut up and get the metal thickness measured. But without cutting of the alternatives that data would not do much good.

When hitting bumps the stresses on a true (non-load-bearing) shock absorber are related only to the restriction in movement engineered into the shock's hydraulic system vs. the speed of the movement. The mass of the car is carried by the spring and directly transferred to the lower arm (or upper arm depending on the design).

In the DMC rear application the mass of the car is carried by the shock body and lower shock bushing. I'm not sure what this design is called (coil-over-shock comes to mind but I'm sure there is something else) but it is close to a strut design in terms of stress on the unit itself. I'm not enough of a mechanical engineer to calculate the difference in forces but I'll bet we can find one here. . . .

I'm not saying it is a bad design, in fact coil-over is a pretty common performance design due to relatively low mass, but I get worried about using parts such as shocks in applications where the forces are beyond what the part engineer intended. I can't say that I've ever seen a shock body fail from this unintended use (other than slipping collars, which is a separate issue), but engineering-wise it has always bothered me. I know for example that the tubing used on the OEM Girling body is much thicker/heavier than on a basic Monroe-type shock absorber.

There is also the issue of just having the weight of 1 corner of the car sitting on that lower bushing all the time. In the crossover applications the lower shock bushing is very vulnerable to failure.

[sdg3205]

I have a complete set of Girlings if you're interested.

2,100 miles on them. I can clean them up and snap some pics if you want.

[DMC5180]

There is also the issue of just having the weight of 1 corner of the car sitting on that lower bushing all the time. In the crossover applications the lower shock bushing is very vulnerable to failure.

I agree this is an issue to a point. I have had four shock sets on the car in past 19 years. None of them seem to hold up very well. The worst was Monroe's with poly shock bushings. However, the large area SAFTEY washer does it's job and keeps things retained even when Squished, split or torn. Seems like the bottom shock eye should be spherical Heim bearing (grease-able) instead of rubber. That would take care of the angular misalignment in the current geometry.

Dave, what have you seen that seems to hold up the best? Granted you see a lot more OEM Girlings on your rehabilitated customer cars I assume.

[ALEXAKOS]

I have a complete set of Girlings if you're interested.
2,100 miles on them. I can clean them up and snap some pics if you want.
I am not up for Girlings. I do however have a fellow member in the UK who is looking for a good set.
Will contact him for you and let you know;)

[sdg3205]

I am not up for Girlings. I do however have a fellow member in the UK who is looking for a good set.
Will contact him for you and let you know;)

eeeeeeeexxxxcellent

[DMCMW Dave]

Dave, what have you seen that seems to hold up the best? Granted you see a lot more OEM Girlings on your rehabilitated customer cars I assume.

The OEM Girlings are pretty amazing as far as holding up. Typically at this point the ones installed on cars ride like rocks, but I've seen less than a handful out of hundreds of cars that truly failed (i.e. opened up and leaked all the oil out). We occasionally install the NOS ones (screaming deal!) and they still ride pretty well.

The Monroes that were popular for a while were awful. Life of maybe 1000 miles if you were lucky. The failures were internal, and I have no idea how they would work any better in the intended application. Just crummy shocks. I don't see enough of the other modified-to-fit shocks to comment. You are correct, most of the cars we see still have the Girlings on them.

I've seen no failure issues with the others, except for the front upper washers on the Spax that seem a bit under-specified. Even that doesn't seem to be a common failure, but we did go to heavier washers on those.

I suspect you have more miles, on more types of shocks, than anyone else on the forum. . . . . .so I'll ask you the same question!

[sdg3205]

I was driving 3205 home on the highway yesterday, a road that is in terrible shape (as far as highways go) because of ongoing construction. I was thinking to myself just how well the car drives with those girlings.

The back seems a little stiff, but the front, with Martins springs is fantastic. 2510 has the spax and seems a bit rigid set at 12 - 14 (forget which).

Just need that rear anti sway bar and a set of LCA support brackets!

[vwdmc16]

Alex, what generation bmw 7 series is that from? E23, e32, e38 or e65?

[ALEXAKOS]

Alex, what generation bmw 7 series is that from? E23, e32, e38 or e65?

Mid 90's. E38

[vwdmc16]

excellent, now the fronts are the custom ones?

Ive been using 1st gen Mazda Miata ( mx5 or eunos roadster) Bilstien H4 HD shocks #24-014892 however then are about 2" too long for a really low car like mine.

[ALEXAKOS]

excellent, now the fronts are the custom ones?


No, not custom. Bilstein telescopics. Don't know the code yet. We will be getting a set by comparing the girlings at hand.
Thanx for the tip;)
I am also looking to lower mine.

[DMC5180]

I've seen no failure issues with the others, except for the front upper washers on the Spax that seem a bit under-specified. Even that doesn't seem to be a common failure, but we did go to heavier washers on those.

Yup, been there had that happen as you may recall.



I suspect you have more miles, on more types of shocks, than anyone else on the forum. . . . . .so I'll ask you the same question!

The Girlings went years ago so I don't recall and did not pay much attention to the lower bushing.

Next came Monroes with Poly bushings. On the first full set, I recall when I replaced a bad shock, that the lower bushing was split on one and the outer lip on the other was cut through from the angular mis-alignment. The rear replacement shocks got New Poly bushings at the time and were still Okay when I switched too the next set.

The DMCH performance shocks with vulcanized shock bushings seemed too squish and take set. (Expected I guess) One of those tore the inner sleeve away which surprised me.

Then came the SPAX. Other than the Front shock washer issue, I have not had the rear shocks off to examine the lower bushing.

[Stanislav]

Hi everyone, I'm in the process of restoring my Delorean and am very interested in putting Bilsteins on. My OEM girlings are seizing and riding horrible. The reason I want bilstein shocks compared to a spax or protech is because Bilsteins are a monotube gas shock and known for bulletproof reliability and performance and the spax and protech are twin tube oil filled which is still definitely fine for most, but I personally prefer the monotubes. A fellow member has Bilstein on all four corners that he put a while ago and his part #'s are b46-1328 (front) and be5-6418 ho ( rear ). The fronts he has are for a ford F series truck and the rears are for a 90's-2004 ford mustang. Definitely need to be revalved to our specs. Bilstein charges $75 to revalve a shock to a custom spec (weight, spring rate, etc.) The rears for the mustang don't have a place for a collar so I assumed that they were modified to fit, which I don't want to have to do.

I also found some bilsteins from the Lotus forums that a member there cross referenced for a Lotus esprit, but they are actually for a Nissan Xterra. I wonder if the lotus front shocks are the same as our cars? Bilstein Part # is 24-187824. Another option I am thinking about is rears from and early 90's porsche 911, The rear weight is very, very similar to ours but their springs are a bit firmer so a revalving might be necessary. Bilstein Part Number: B46-1735-H2 or 24-017350.
Any further info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Stan

[Stanislav]

Hi everyone, I'm in the process of restoring my Delorean and am very interested in putting Bilsteins on. My OEM girlings are seizing and riding horrible. The reason I want bilstein shocks compared to a spax or protech is because Bilsteins are a monotube gas shock and known for bulletproof reliability and performance and the spax and protech are twin tube oil filled which is still definitely fine for most, but I personally prefer the monotubes. A fellow member has Bilstein on all four corners that he put a while ago and his part #'s are b46-1328 (front) and be5-6418 ho ( rear ). The fronts he has are for a ford F series truck and the rears are for a 90's-2004 ford mustang. Definitely need to be revalved to our specs. Bilstein charges $75 to revalve a shock to a custom spec (weight, spring rate, etc.) The rears for the mustang don't have a place for a collar so I assumed that they were modified to fit, which I don't want to have to do.

I also found some bilsteins from the Lotus forums that a member there cross referenced for a Lotus esprit, but they are actually for a Nissan Xterra. I wonder if the lotus front shocks are the same as our cars? Bilstein Part # is 24-187824. Another option I am thinking about is rears from and early 90's porsche 911, The rear weight is very, very similar to ours but their springs are a bit firmer so a revalving might be necessary. Bilstein Part Number: B46-1735-H2 or 24-017350.
Any further info would be appreciated. Thanks.

Stan
I just found the stock spring ratings for the 1989-1994 Porsche 911, very similar to ours.

Front Rear

1989-91 C2/C4 158 189

1992-94 C2/C4 169 189

[vwdmc16]

I happened upon a very nice set of rear Bilstein HDs from the rear of a '93 bmw 7 series just like Alex in Greece is trying out. They were at the local junkyard for $19 each so why not!

I will need install a sleeve in the lower bushing and cut a lower spring perch groove in the body and the other concern is that i may only have about 2" of travel with the height i run my car. Its an experiment!

Stock Girling to the new Billy:

27616

[RoyHinkley]

I happened upon a very nice set of rear Bilstein HDs from the rear of a '93 bmw 7 series just like Alex in Greece is trying out. They were at the local junkyard for $19 each so why not!

I will need install a sleeve in the lower bushing and cut a lower spring perch groove in the body and the other concern is that i may only have about 2" of travel with the height i run my car. Its an experiment!

Stock Girling to the new Billy:

27616

So what is the part number for the bilsteins for the rear that do have the collar for the spring mount and is there any modification to do? What's the price range too? I have the black rear shocks with the adjustable threaded collars that supposedly came with the DMC eibach springs and they ride like a solid piece of pipe. WAY stiffer than the stock girlings. A member here sold them to me saying they were spax shocks but they don't have an adjustment knob and after asking around apparently they are the ones DMC sold with the eibach spring set and nobody liked them.
I'd really Like to replace them and is rather not go back to NOS girlings but I do t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a pair of rear shocks either. Please help. Please list all options, part numbers and prices. Those yellow bilsteins shown earlier in this thread with the spring collars look like good replacements which are those? Can they handle the weight?
Looking on Houston's site, the shocks that are part of the eibach shock and spring set look identical to the ones I bought from a member here who passed them off as spax shocks. I don know if I should pay $75 for a set of NOS girlings.... Hoping for some good advice on an affordable rear shock set here. Thank you all!