Shock rebuild: Delta Vee vs Bilstein? - Mounts - OEM vs Ployurethane? | FerrariChat
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Shock rebuild: Delta Vee vs Bilstein? - Mounts - OEM vs Ployurethane?

Discussion in '348/355' started by treedee3d, Apr 28, 2014.

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  1. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #1 treedee3d, Apr 28, 2014
    So the back of the car is running extremely rough. Hitting small road bumps is almost making my spine discs explode every quarter mile I drive.

    The car's ride needs a lot of TLC in the back and it needs it right now...

    As far as shock rebuild, I see Bilstein and DeltaVee as options. Not sure what's best?

    -I'd like to get a rebuilt set shipped to me so I can do an immediate swap and then send back my old ones, anyone ever done this?

    -As far as the 124$ price vs 400$ lifetime warranty price DeltaVee offers, is the rebuild process the same and just the warranty differs or are they rebuilt differently based on the price you pay?

    -I don't really care about using the adjustable suspension and don't mind defaulting it permanently to 1 mode. Must I get the actuators fixed/rebuilt/replaced when fixing my shocks or can I just leave those alone and let them be, broken or not?

    As for motor mounts and bushings, I've been advised to go with polyurethane and found these:

    http://energysuspension.com/assets/files/energysuspension-catalog.pdf

    On page 40, they list Ferrari, anyone used these before? Apparently, the heat from the Fabspeed headers without shields prematurely breaks down the rubber in the bushings and mounts and these are a better solution, anyone used them before?

    Since I am at it doing all this work, should I just go ahead and do all the bushings and gearbox mounts as well and also the front shocks or do I leave it alone until they need to be changed. I prefer to get it all done now, am I wasting money doing it that way?

    Any input is appreciated
     
  2. bobzdar

    bobzdar F1 Veteran

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    #2 bobzdar, Apr 28, 2014
    I believe if the actuators are broken, the shocks will eventually go to the full soft setting unless locked in place using a clamp.

    Are you sure your shocks are the problem in the rear? Usually they go too soft and you get a bouncy ride in the rear if they're bad, not a super firm ride. It sounds like you have some binding or maybe the actuators are stuck on the full hard setting? I would investigate further before throwing money at it.
     
  3. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
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    #3 Schatten, Apr 28, 2014
    I've inquired with Energy Suspension in the past, but no response on the matter. Unsure what will work, and what will not. Rob at DeltaVee might also be able to do suspension bushings as well, but you'll need to inquire.
     
  4. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    #4 SoCal1, Apr 28, 2014
    Unless your going to track more then street I like the OEM softer bushings in general
     
  5. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #5 treedee3d, Apr 28, 2014
    I know they're harder but my main concern is durability considering they're exposed to high heat because of the unshielded headers.
     
  6. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2007
    35,997
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    #6 Kaivball, Apr 28, 2014
    Delta Vee rebuilt my shocks on my '92 348 and I couldn't be happier.

    Matched to the lowering springs the car handles really well but boy, it is loooooow (about the height of my fist).

    Kai
     
  7. emailben

    emailben Karting

    Feb 10, 2012
    195
    San Jose, CA
    #7 emailben, Apr 28, 2014
    I am thinking to get my shocks rebuild also, but I am debating if I should get a pair of new ones? Should I replace the springs as well?
     
  8. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    #8 SoCal1, Apr 29, 2014
    As many miles we put on these cars the soft ones are fine

    I really dont like the harder ones they always seem to find a weaker link in the system that is very costly

    Yes you can saw "I got hard bushings" bragging rights and guzzle a few beers but I like usable performance.


    :)
     
  9. nsx2F355

    nsx2F355 Formula Junior

    Mar 12, 2013
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    #9 nsx2F355, Apr 29, 2014
    +1 on delta vee. They have always taken great care my 355 shocks
     
  10. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #10 treedee3d, Apr 30, 2014
    Does anyone know if DeltaVee's rebuild process is different from the 124$ option vs. the 400$ option.

    Is it the same work that they do and just change the warranty to lifetime thus the price difference or is it a better more durable process used with the 400$ option.

    Anyone know this?
     
  11. TMan

    TMan Formula Junior

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    #11 TMan, May 1, 2014

    To my knowledge the shocks are rebuilt exactly the same, the difference is in the lifetime warranty...just more $
     
  12. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3
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    #12 rexrcr, May 5, 2014
    Hi Kai, with your setup there should be ability to raise your ride height. Call/ email or have Juan contact me with questions.

    Thanks for the compliment :)

    Best,
    Rob
     
  13. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3
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    #13 rexrcr, May 5, 2014
    Thanks Tony!
     
  14. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3
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    #14 rexrcr, May 5, 2014
    We offer the Lifetime Limited Warranty as we've found many owners appreciate the peace of mind; plus it's transferable, just make sure the subsequent owner receives some kind of document, either from us or your shop so we can trace the original service.

    We have a regular client who resides in Manhattan, he owns an extra front shock, hits a pothole every year, and we give him a cost break for the repeat business :) (we don't warrant driving into pot holes, and I can tell it's happened in 10 seconds) So he has a freshy waiting for him.

    Also, we do not "re-engineer" the shocks, what we do is analogous to blueprinting, and we go to great pains to stop the oil seepage from the adjuster gear area.

    Best,
    Rob
     
  15. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3
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    #15 rexrcr, May 5, 2014
    (full disclosure, the OP and I have exchanged PMs and emails prior to my posting here)

    What is different is that we address the oil seeping from the adjuster gear area, Bilstein in CA does not.

    Best,
    Rob
     
  16. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3
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    #16 rexrcr, May 5, 2014
    Last edited: May 5, 2014
    This is indication that the rears are hydraulically locked.

    Why Does My Ferrari Ride Rough?

    We can convert to non adjustable, I advise only one way to do so, which is to install all new non-adjustable shocks (custom build). IMHO, to defeat the active damping system isn't a good idea from both a driving perspective and a value perspective.

    Best,
    Rob
     
  17. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3
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    #17 rexrcr, May 5, 2014
    Springs last a long time, even if they sag a bit, it's slight, and if they lose some spring rate, it's also very little; on a road car I would only have them checked and save some money. We charge $15 to rate a spring.

    Best,
    Rob
     
  18. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #18 f355spider, May 6, 2014
    Rob has Rifledriver's endorsement, which say volumes on the quality of work. As stated, with Deltavee they fix the leak problem permanently. If rebuilt by bilstein, they will probably fail they same way again. I am unsure, but hear report Rob can tailor the shock a bit to your driving style. I would certainly consult with him further.
     
  19. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #19 treedee3d, May 6, 2014
    For the record, Rob has been great to deal with so far and I don't doubt the many endorsements DeltaVee has received here.

    Unfortunately, they won't ship me rebuilt shocks so I can do an immediate swap at the shop and then send them my old ones unless I go for the 400$ option.

    Kinda sucks for me because I'm in Montreal and I don't want to lose a month of not being able to drive the car (winter has been a long one) because of waiting for shocks. But if that's the policy then I have to decide if I wait until the fall or spend more and I'm still undecided.

    I still need to check all the options...
     
  20. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #20 treedee3d, May 23, 2014
    Finally got the Bilstein info, they require 4-6 weeks for the rebuild service at 145$ each.

    DeltaVee promises 5 business days at 124$ each.

    Guess where I'm sending them?
     
  21. rexrcr

    rexrcr Formula 3
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    #21 rexrcr, May 23, 2014
    Hi Fab, thanks for this, please understand though the 5 day turnaround estimate was last we spoke (a month ago?), currently we're more like 7+, but this changes quickly, that's why we prefer to schedule...

    Also note that Bilstein in Cali doesn't address leaks at the adjuster gear, we do.

    Best,

    Rob


    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  22. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #22 treedee3d, May 23, 2014
    Rob, no worries, you can take a couple of extra days, I would not fault you for that. I should be bringing my car into the shop first week of july and then I'll have the 4 shocks sent to you.
     
  23. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #23 treedee3d, Oct 8, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Finally sent my shocks for a rebuild at Delta-Vee. Bilstein offered the rebuild but required more than a month??

    Cost was 124$ per shock + shipping. There is also a 400$ per shock option which is lifetime guaranteed.

    Turnaround time for me was very quick (Less than 5 business days) and the service was awesome. Thank you Rob!!!!

    Car runs very smooth now, almost like a new caddy!

    I am not affiliated with Delta Vee bla bla bla...
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  24. Dino Chang

    Dino Chang Guest

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    #24 Dino Chang, Oct 8, 2014
  25. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #25 treedee3d, Oct 8, 2014
    They're obviously more efficient in the UK. Being in Montreal, I contacted the California Bilstein location. They quoted me 145$ each + 1 month turnaround.

    I guess it's ok if you're in the UK but in North America, Delta Vee is the way to go for sure.
     
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