Coilovers

[ED1RTY 2]

I know no one on here apart from Josh has aftermarket coilovers installed in their E30.

I want to know what is a decent brand that will offer me at least 2-4 inches of adjustment front and 1-3 rear.

Looking at a few kits:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detai...DUCT_ID=29577-1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KW-COILOVER...sspagenameZWD1V

http://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/prod/gc2020-01

Basically I want some thing that at least has complete front unit ready made. Josh, you are running G/C's aye? am I right in saying you had to get the springs perches welded onto the original strut?

From what I can tell the H&R set is the best and I can get it from my dealer without having to pay shipping etc but it is the most expensive.

The KW's I have never heard of but the 'V3' version of the KW's has been reccomended on a few overseas forums.

Please help

Edit: also looking at these threads:

http://e30m3performance.com/installs/GC_susp/GC_susp3.htm

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread...h%26r+coilovers

http://www.livermoreperformance.com/bmw_coil_over.html

After alot of looking around and window shopping various sites i have come to the desicion that this looks like the best deal:

http://www.ground-control-store.com/produc...tion.php/II=686

Edited August 23, 2007 by Jake The Muss

[Old_Skool_Bmw 0]

I also checked out the sets of HR coilovers on turnermotorsports.com.

they have had pretty good feedback on some overseas sites like s14.net.

Im looking at getting some coilovers in, maybe at the end of the year. let me know what you find out

Laurence.

[togate 0]

was talking to the manager at mag n turbo in manukau today, he said he can get HR for 1500...sound pretty decent

[ED1RTY 2]

was talking to the manager at mag n turbo in manukau today, he said he can get HR for 1500...sound pretty decent

Does that include the following:

2 specially valved Koni Race shocks (short-body - these are NOT Corrado shocks)

2 Rear Top adjustable Koni shocks

2 2.5" ID, 6" long Eibach ERS springs

2 2.25" ID, 5" long Eibach ERS springs

TC Kline Street Rear shock mounts

set of 4 sleeves and adjusters

MotorForce/Vorshlag Camber/Caster Adjustment Plates

2 2.5" ID MotorForce/Vorshlag Upper spring mounts

2 weld-on coilover perches for the front

2 weld-on M3 sway link tabs (relocates the swaybar mounting point to the struts, just like on the M3)

Installation Instructions w/photos

Im 90% sure im going to get these, 2600 shipped from US

[hybrid 1044]

We have the semi coilover setup. the fronts are full coil overs utilising OEM e30 m3 struts. however the rear of ours still utilises the separate srping / shock setup of the m-coupe trailing arms. The e30 is the same.

Andrew and Glenn are two people I know who are running a true coilover setup. How ever they have had to modify their rear strut towers to accomodate the larger diameter shock and spring setup a coilover brings to the table.

glenns setup from : http://ubersaloons.co.nz/uber3/E28-stuff/Page3.html

Which chirs I think you maybe trying to achieve ? obviously requires full cert but you can get this done as part of your cage certing (cert'd cage and cert'd strut towers)

Glenns and andrews setups show a nice way to tie your diff mount bolts and your new towers all together creating a strong point. Andrew has a pretty full on role cage to go with this however.

[ED1RTY 2]

That is how my cage is going to be. Tied into the diff mount. Not really to keen on that much fabrication work in regards to the rear struts.

I am 90% sure im going to be going with the CS motorsport coilover kit outlined above, very similar to your G/C setup Josh but the front camber adjusters dont stack as high and I will be chopping an extra part of the front strut off so that once installed, at the highest point they have about 1-1.5 inches of guard clearance. I will also not have to run as big spacers as the coilover strut does not have such large spring diameter as stock. Letting me reduce the offset (wheel & spacer combined) by up to around 8-12mm

Edited August 27, 2007 by Jake The Muss

[ED1RTY 2]

Are there any pics of either cars, more in depth of the diff/cage tie points etc. Andrew could you take some pics of yours?

[hybrid 1044]

glenns setup from : http://ubersaloons.co.nz/uber3/E28-stuff/Page3.html

also from r3v a good illustration why we went with GC.

When you have Ground Control coilovers matched with their camber plates, you have more suspension travel...

On the left is the GC setup with GC camber/castor tops we went with.

or here is a picture I took on my phone before we assembled it.

[ED1RTY 2]

I understand what you mean Josh, but the guys on r3v are saying that the C3 motorsport ones that I will be getting have even more travel than G/C's. Will have to compare them when they go in.

[E30-323ti 66]

I understand what you mean Josh, but the guys on r3v are saying that the C3 motorsport ones that I will be getting have even more travel than G/C's. Will have to compare them when they go in.

The travel is governed by the shocks, the stack height comes into play when you want to run the car real low.

For example the pic Josh put up, both will have the same travel (shock dependant), but the one on the left can run say~1" lower and still have the same travel.

Before you think that is the shitz you need to ask yourself, do I need to run it that low? is the suspension geometry past the optimum? (ie, control arm angle>increase roll couple, reduced suspension droop) are the springs stiff enough to make use of running that low?

[ED1RTY 2]

This car has them in it. This photo is wound down 1/4 of the adjustment.

[ED1RTY 2]

That is about the ride height that I would like. With the ability to slam it on its ass for show etc.

Ill be using the same/similar spring rates that Josh is using.

[hybrid 1044]

Ill be using the same/similar spring rates that Josh is using.

Sweet ... come for a ride this weekend and see how you like it first .. its not bone shattering hard, but its very firm. however not uncomfortable even in the standard motorsport seats.

[Andrew 30]

I don't have coil overs - I use the turner motorsport J-stock kit. The most complete race kit you'll find.

[ED1RTY 2]

Sweet ... come for a ride this weekend and see how you like it first .. its not bone shattering hard, but its very firm. however not uncomfortable even in the standard motorsport seats.

Which is what I want, atm its to soft and bottoms out on everything. Im also thinking that you have allowed for the extra weight of the S50+ turbo etc. Ill be doing similar so those rates would suit my needs.

Pm me your cell. Ill try get out on saturday

Also Andrew, I want the ability to adjust my setup for various uses, whereas im guessing yours is only capable of one setting?

[hybrid 1044]

In the end you want to leave your spring height at one setting, you have two options when it comes to koni shock, sport shocks (red) or race shocks (yellow) you will need to get the fully adjustible rears too.

Ours is running pretty high at the moment to deal with the wheels being quite wide.

On the road we are currently running the softest setting and it works well for the road.

[Andrew 30]

Also Andrew, I want the ability to adjust my setup for various uses, whereas im guessing yours is only capable of one setting?

Yeah I require no adjustability in the race car.

[ED1RTY 2]

This is why I want these, I will need the adjustability for road/track/strip use.

How wide are you LM's Josh? 18x??

My 16x9's should be fine as the rolling diameter is smaller than yours? I will be running it low, but not to low.

Will be getting fully adjustable rear aswell.

[ED1RTY 2]

What do we have here??

http://nzcrazygear.com/product_show.php?id...4a71fde4e0e705e

Edit: Total crap.

Rung them. Aw Harro! How can I be a hewpfoo?

Totally useless Chinese Crap.... And even more expensive than H&R

CS Motorsport here I come!!

Edited August 28, 2007 by Jake The Muss

[hybrid 1044]

have a look at the KW brand of shocks. Call performalink http://www.performalink.com

KW http://www.kw-suspension.com/en

I just got a set for a great price from them. They do E30 shocks too

the m325 will be running 9.5 on the rear with minor rear guard work to the new m3 guards. currently running 8.5's @ et30 on the rear with minor guard rub (standard guards)

[ED1RTY 2]

Looked at those Josh, you got your coilovers from them huh?

[hybrid 1044]

for the e46 yes.

[Guest Rick James]

Drew, worth running boxed rear susp towers and mono ball mounts combined with J-stock? About to order TC Kline rear top mounts.

Also, can the J-stock front setup be changed to run adj camber plates? I'm digging the reviews i've read of the motorforce camber plates.

[Andrew 30]

Drew, worth running boxed rear susp towers and mono ball mounts combined with J-stock? About to order TC Kline rear top mounts.

Also, can the J-stock front setup be changed to run adj camber plates? I'm digging the reviews i've read of the motorforce camber plates.

I'd say so - the metal there is pretty weak and the rear springs are 1000lbs.

Sure can - although I haven't found the lack of adjustability a problem. Got the latest photos from Groundsky of my car through jennian at full tit - it rolls bang on to it's full tyre. Agree though on the street you might want to dial some camber out of it.

[hybrid 1044]

This is for anyone else asking about "coilovers" style setup on an e30.

Info on the Ground Control setup .. this is m3 specific, but it will work for 'm' front struts. You also don't need to use koni shocks.

http://e30m3performance.com/installs/GC_susp/GC_susp1.htm