JR RX8

I just ordered a set of Bilstein PSS9s for my 2005. I drive alot in NYC and surrounding highways where the roads are less then perfect ( lots of filled pothole, bumps, and dips and high spots on the freeways) to say the least. I also take the car up to the Catskills on weekends for some "canyon carving". Never track , might start auto crossing. Am NOT looking to lower the car. QUESTION: can anyone give me a good idea as to how to set them up for best use on every day basis?? I drive " spiritedly" (quick when I can get away with it, lots of lane tossing, and zipping around curves and hard into corners that are safe to do so without hitting anything on the way out and looking for better cornering with less roll and less nose diving when hard braking (have stock rotors with ceramic pads). Looking for a more planted feel, yet maybe a little more comfort then current stock setup. I've read "3 down from full stiff in front to 6 in the back for firmer ride" , less body roll , but more comfort for city roads, to "all the way to 5 in the front to 7 in the back". Anyone who has used these and can recommend a good setup for my situation. Much appreciate the feedback. Hopefully have them installed by weekend, or early next week. Thanks to all.

Steve Dallas

I know this question is several months old, but I'll chime in with my answer.

I have PSS9s on my 2011 GT and have had them for about a year and a half now. The adjuster is not very functional, and I find any setting softer than 5 to be useless. I started setting mine to 6 for the street and 3 for the track. When they were new, a setting of 6 felt about right for a sports car on the street, with about the right amount of firmness while still maintaining a level of comfort. Over time, the rebound softened, and I found myself setting them firmer and firmer. Now I set them to 4 for the street and 2 for the track. I initially tended to set them the same front and rear unless I felt the rear could benefit from a bit less rebound on the track, which is rare considering the way my car is balanced. Having said that, the adjuster does something, I'm just not sure it is actually adjusting rebound.

Here are some explanations as to why the above is true.

Bilstein PSS family - Page 2 - MY350Z.COM Forums

Bilstein - S2KI Honda S2000 Forums

I wish I had found this information before I purchased mine. I normally take July and August off from the track and am planning to talk to FCM about using my PSS9s to create a custom setup with adjusted spring rates and custom valving with no adjustability. Or, maybe I'll just buy KWs.

The PSS9 is not junk, it is just now quite what it is advertised to be and not what one would expect from Bilstein. I wish Bilstein offered the non-adjustable PSS for the RX-8 in the US. Trading the adjuster gimmick for a properly valved damper would seem to be an improvement. If I had it to do over again, I would have just bought KWs or a custom FCM setup to begin with.

Now ignore everything I said above and pay attention to this point: PSS9s are better than all the junk out there and are perfectly suited to street-driven RX-8s and occasional track and autoX use.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

They're a lot cheaper than the FCM option (prices have climbed quite a bit over the last several years; noobies plus excess hype = high demand, the components are actually relatively low cost) and more than adequate for your stated need and likely skill level.

As far as off the shelf CO kits go it's one of the few that I would actually recommend, especially for the price. I wouldn't get so wrapped up in the adjustments past setting them as stiff as you can feel comfortable with. Once you have them and can provide more specific feedback on what it does or doesn't do (which might be more a result of the driver than the shocks etc.) then more educated advice can be provided

Chibana

Years ago I was interested in FCM as a possible replacement when my OEM dampers need replacing, but now that they're more expensive than Ohlins, I'd go with Ohlins. I would rather have them, anyway.