Suspension Vibration Damper box?

[chalituna]

Anyone know what this grey box is? I'm installing the Bilstein coilovers right now but there aren't any mounting bracket for that box to bolt on to. I did some research and it seems to be missing on the BC Coilovers as well.

It's called 'suspension vibration damper' with part number 3c156 & 3c157. Wonder if it's really important to have that on...

Thanks in advance.

 

[rodmoe]

Took mine off when I put on my different shocks and did not notice anything different about ride or noise on car .

 

[RDgolfer]

Maybe that is the noise I hear!!!

 

[TheStig]

It probably works sort of like a sacrificial anode on a boat hull, not to wear away but instead to soak up vibrations from the road being transmitted from wheels to chassis. The vibration instead travels through that which is probably a heavy block of zinc or something.

Just an educated guess.

 

[Colin1337]

I didnt put that back on either, no problems here.

 

[Viking Speed Shop]

It's just for NVH reasons. No need to have it.

 

[chalituna]

thanks all for the input. I just went ahead and installed my Bilstein B14's and they're great!

 

[FineTooned]

Please tell us more about the Bilsteins. How have they improved the ride? I was considering them but was concerned they wouldn't improve the ride in the way I was hoping.

Thanks.

 

[chalituna]

Please tell us more about the Bilsteins. How have they improved the ride? I was considering them but was concerned they wouldn't improve the ride in the way I was hoping.

Thanks.

I actually really like it. It's a bit more stiffer than stock, but I can definitely notice the difference in rebound. Much less bouncier ride and more responsive.

I was to choose this between Bilstein and ST X coilovers but I went with Bilstein because it's monotube and comes with lifetime warranty. ST has 5 year warranty but I hear nightmare stories about their warranty process

Hope this helped

 

[FineTooned]

Thanks for the info, chalituna. That's very helpful.

As stiff as the stock ST is, I'm surprised the Bilsteins are even stiffer. Is that even at their softest settings? How much stiffer would you say they are roughly? 5%? 15%. I'm glad to hear the bounciness is reduced but I was hoping the overall ride would be a bit more compliant with the Bilsteins.

Sorry for all the questions. But there are not that many real-world reviews of the Bilsteins for the Fiesta out there. Thanks again.

 

[chalituna]

Thanks for the info, chalituna. That's very helpful.

As stiff as the stock ST is, I'm surprised the Bilsteins are even stiffer. Is that even at their softest settings? How much stiffer would you say they are roughly? 5%? 15%. I'm glad to hear the bounciness is reduced but I was hoping the overall ride would be a bit more compliant with the Bilsteins.

Sorry for all the questions. But there are not that many real-world reviews of the Bilsteins for the Fiesta out there. Thanks again.

No prob, I'd say it's about 10 to 15% stiffer. It is 100 lbs heavier springs than the stock so it's not that much different. However, the rebound feel is much better.

I am planning to write the Bilstein review pretty soon so I'll describe it more there. You won't regret it! Since I'm not planning on racing it, this set up is perfect for street and moderate track use.

 

[iso100]

Bilstein shocks aren't adjustable, so you just gotta go with the dampening it comes with. I wish there was a dampening rating so we could compare the various dampers.

 

[iso100]

Let me add to my prior comment. HD and Sport dampers by Bilstein aren't dampening adjustable.

 

[iso100]

Our ST supplement manuals list the front and rear spring rates. Do you know exactly what spring rate your coilovers came with?

 

[chalituna]

the Bilstein has the spring rate of 275 on the front and 230 on the back. Stock is 171 F/143 R from the supplement manual.

 

[iso100]

Wow! That's quite a bit stiffer! Can you tell if the balance is the same with stability control disabled?

 

[chalituna]

Wow! That's quite a bit stiffer! Can you tell if the balance is the same with stability control disabled?

Are you talking about the brake activated torque vectoring on the front wheels? I believe that those cannot be disabled even on a full-off mode. However, the car turns definitely more sharp around the turns and stable compared to stock. Haven't done a extensive test on a track or anything yet but I am planning on raising the front just a little as it scrapes on a hard turn.

 

[iso100]

I meant just general balance. In calculating the ratios front to rear it seems that Bilstein has kept the spring rate ratio identical to stock but has stiffened by 60%.

I'm guessing it's the same balance. Very cool.

How much was the set and what model number is it?

 

[chalituna]

Bilstein 47-167490, and it's around $780 if you shop around.

 

[iso100]

Thanks!