Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Hey guys, im thinking of purchasing some BC coilovers for the E30, have just put the Front E36 hubs and offset bushes in the front today. Problem is the tophats on an E36 strut is different to the tophats on an E30 strut, am i better of enquiring to see if BC would supply a E30 tophat to come with the coilover or redrilling the strut tower? Also im sure the rear shock strut hats are the same in both E30 and E36 correct me if im wrong? Cheers, Luke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 You would be better off researching before drilling man, E30 front coilover hats should be able to go straight onto the E36 ones? I think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 You would be better off researching before drilling man, E30 front coilover hats should be able to go straight onto the E36 ones? I think. Thanks Greg, BC dont do a set of coilovers for E30's so id have to buy extra front camber plates by the sounds of things otherwise go for another brand which i guess means spending more. Either way im going to have to I think. The other option I was thinking of is getting the E36 coilovers front hats PCD modified to an E30 PCD? Luke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 In that case camber plates would be a go. Just not too sure on the drilling of holes in the towers, the certers may frown apon this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 In that case camber plates would be a go. Just not too sure on the drilling of holes in the towers, the certers may frown apon this? Yea would have liked to keep it all one brand but meh, yea me neither I must have a descent look at the towers maybe reinforced where the existing holes already are. Might ring Redline who do BC's tommorow and see if they have a solution first. Thanks Greg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 No worrys mate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 What are the bilsteins like in yours greg, how much did you pay? and how many kgs are the tein springs up front? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 I bought the car with all the aftermarkys in it, unsure what the spring rate is, alot i'm guessing as it's a farken stiff ride, the top and bottom hats are modified to fit the Teins. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Ah fair enough. Sweet yea I wanna go for a pretty stiff spring setup, are the tein springs quite different to the fitment in the bilstein shocks? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Nah not all, as i mentioned the top and bottom hats had been machined to fit the springs but that's an easy job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30BMA 0 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 unsure what the spring rate is, alot i'm guessing as it's a farken stiff ride, +1 on the stiffness, makes it handle pretty well when you push it. IMO, I wouldnt want it that stiff for an everyday car, Im guessing thats why you got the couch (aka e34) as a daily Greg? From memory, it cost you about $20 to get your top hats machined didnt it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 13, 2009 Yep 20 bucka. Even the couch needs to be stiffer, just a big v8 cloud at the moment haha. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30BMA 0 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 ahhh, like floating on a cloud, I know the feeling. Took the 535 out Sunday night, first drive at night, and the headlight aim is WAAAAAY too low. Could only see about 15 meters in front of me so that was kinda dodgey. Needless to say I didnt go too far before I had to head home. Another thing to add on the "To Do List" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 ahhh, like floating on a cloud, I know the feeling. Took the 535 out Sunday night, first drive at night, and the headlight aim is WAAAAAY too low. Could only see about 15 meters in front of me so that was kinda dodgey. Needless to say I didnt go too far before I had to head home. Another thing to add on the "To Do List" Well who did that shotty warrent then aye? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Would it be too much of a mish to change the PCD of the top plate that comes with the E36 Coilovers? Save me having to get complete new camber plates, its only one stud the other two line up with the holes in the shock tower. Only problem I can think of is it messing up my caster/camber etc... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Would it be too much of a mish to change the PCD of the top plate that comes with the E36 Coilovers? Save me having to get complete new camber plates, its only one stud the other two line up with the holes in the shock tower. Only problem I can think of is it messing up my caster/camber etc...Don't think it would be a huge effort, the caster would def change, unsure what to do about that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Don't think it would be a huge effort, the caster would def change, unsure what to do about that? Are you meaning the castor would change by changing to E36 5lug setup or from altering the PCD on the tophats of standard/aftermarket struts in the front Greg? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Are you meaning the castor would change by changing to E36 5lug setup or from altering the PCD on the tophats of standard/aftermarket struts in the front Greg?Altering the PCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Ah right, wouldnt that be determined by which stud was altered... i guess it would be best to take the factory E30 one and get the ones of the E36 coilover to match the PCD and strut hole of the E30 one? Sorry about the 101 questions not something ive really experienced or read about much. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 I think which ever stud you alter will still change the caster? If you can get a match between the two then that would be good. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Yea exactly what im thinking who would be best to do this, an engineering firm or somewhere like autolign? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 I'd say any engineering place could do it, i got my suspension bits machined at a turbo place down the road from work, so as long as they are a descent firm it should be fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Awesome thanks Greg I know plenty of engineering firms and performance shops that should be able to help. Thanks once again Luke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Greg111 13 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 (edited) No sweat Luke, happy to help Let me know how you get on. Edited April 14, 2009 by Greg. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boost Junky 1 Report post Posted April 14, 2009 Yup will do greg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
