Kings + Gen4 Bilstein struts in a Gen3 (MY02)?
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 2:01 pmWarning: noob questions ahead! Just seeking some advice from the wise sages 
My bone-stock MY02 RX has done 262,000 kms, on what I'm assuming is the original suspension set up. I've had the car for almost 18 months, and not keen on spending too much extra - I already have a brand new set of Kings Lows. Without further ado, let's welcome some copypasta from my introduction thread
1a. I'm looking at a set of Gen4 Bilstein struts out of a 2005 3.0R that have done ~100k, going for $500. Does anyone have experience with buying a set of 2nd-hand struts? Worth it? I'm not too keen on spending a lot more than that, seeing as I already have paid for a set of Kings Low springs. Kings are still BNIB, so I could sell them for only a small loss...
1b. Another set of Gen4 Bilsteins, this time from a MY07 Spec.B. 80k kms, going for $400. Seemingly a better deal than the above... but how do I gauge wear on those things, apart from checking for leaks??
1c. Is there a limit on how long struts can be lying around uncompressed before 'going bad'? Will struts slowly deteriorate if left out of a car, and how long is too long?
2. Speaking of which, what will be the ride difference if I install the Bilstein struts but leave the stock Gen3 springs in? I have several options, as listed below in order of preference/consideration:
a: Gen4 Bilstein struts + Kings Lows (current first choice)
b: Gen4 Bilstein struts + stock MY02 springs
c: stock MY02 struts + Kings Lows (cheap and nasty option?)
d: Bilsteins + whatever springs are part of the Spec.B setup (are said springs usually better than Gen3 stock springs?)
3. Having done some brief research, it seems that Gen4 struts can fit, as long as the tophats are discarded in favour of the original ones in a Gen3. Has anyone swapped Gen4 struts into an MY02 RX? Is such a thing within the realms of possibility?
4. What about alignment? Will the toe/camber/whatever get permanently out of whack, or will everything be fine after a quick tyre realignment?
5. Are struts a DIY job like springs (a very experienced friend has offered his help), or would I be better off just taking the parts to a shop and getting them installed? Springs are somewhat straighforward, but I honestly have no idea about springs.
Lol I did say they were noob questions
any advice would be much appreciated!!
My bone-stock MY02 RX has done 262,000 kms, on what I'm assuming is the original suspension set up. I've had the car for almost 18 months, and not keen on spending too much extra - I already have a brand new set of Kings Lows. Without further ado, let's welcome some copypasta from my introduction thread
1a. I'm looking at a set of Gen4 Bilstein struts out of a 2005 3.0R that have done ~100k, going for $500. Does anyone have experience with buying a set of 2nd-hand struts? Worth it? I'm not too keen on spending a lot more than that, seeing as I already have paid for a set of Kings Low springs. Kings are still BNIB, so I could sell them for only a small loss...
1b. Another set of Gen4 Bilsteins, this time from a MY07 Spec.B. 80k kms, going for $400. Seemingly a better deal than the above... but how do I gauge wear on those things, apart from checking for leaks??
1c. Is there a limit on how long struts can be lying around uncompressed before 'going bad'? Will struts slowly deteriorate if left out of a car, and how long is too long?
2. Speaking of which, what will be the ride difference if I install the Bilstein struts but leave the stock Gen3 springs in? I have several options, as listed below in order of preference/consideration:
a: Gen4 Bilstein struts + Kings Lows (current first choice)
b: Gen4 Bilstein struts + stock MY02 springs
c: stock MY02 struts + Kings Lows (cheap and nasty option?)
d: Bilsteins + whatever springs are part of the Spec.B setup (are said springs usually better than Gen3 stock springs?)
3. Having done some brief research, it seems that Gen4 struts can fit, as long as the tophats are discarded in favour of the original ones in a Gen3. Has anyone swapped Gen4 struts into an MY02 RX? Is such a thing within the realms of possibility?
4. What about alignment? Will the toe/camber/whatever get permanently out of whack, or will everything be fine after a quick tyre realignment?
5. Are struts a DIY job like springs (a very experienced friend has offered his help), or would I be better off just taking the parts to a shop and getting them installed? Springs are somewhat straighforward, but I honestly have no idea about springs.
Lol I did say they were noob questions
any advice would be much appreciated!!