ride height

[ScottEgg]

the ride height of my car is killing me. I have an H&R cup kit with a 60/40 drop but the rear of the car looks like its only had about a 20mm drop at the most. The front is super low with a stupid high ass. I bought the kit as a complete package to provide my track car with a purpose designed handling package that should improve the handling within the limited budget I have. The lip of the rear arch sits approximatly 25-30mm above the tyre - is this right? can fellow 40mm 'droppers' let me know their thoughts and maybe provide me a measurement from ground level to arch to compare with? I'm aware that H&R provide a rear spring for the cabrio and fear this may be the issue but want to check all options.
thanks
scott

[bimanut]

Pics might help a bit 1000 words an all that

[ScottEgg]

fair point, will sort tom.

[MattTheHat325]

is it a chromie or a facelift? facelifts have lower rear arches than chromies so the latter won't look quite as low compared to a similarly lowered facelift car

[ScottEgg]

Its an 88 pre facelift so you think it will sit higher then?

[mrLEE30]

it does not sit higher but the rear arch appears higher as it takes a different profile. Chassis is lower by the amount the springs drop it by.

other points are did you allow the car to settle before commenting? it is normal to allow the car at least a few hours, or more, for the thing to settle properly.

also what size rims/tyres you have on?

however, a 60/40 drop will result in a tail high stance, this is why a 40/40 is the generally accepted lowering limit for a car to be used on a track, any more and the suspension geometry starts to move out of its optimum design range as you run out of travel unless you have a very stiff set up.

[ScottEgg]

Thanks for the replies. I had no idea that the rear wheel arch was different to later models and explains my problem fully. The car runs 15" wheels with 205x50 tyres. The car has settled and I'm pleased witht eh way the kit has improved the handling of my car (has done a couple of track days like it).

Both rear arches are showing signs of corrosion and in need of replacement ~ do people know if the later arch would fit or am I now faced with the challenge of finding early wing replacements?

[Dezzy]

Chromies need to be lowered equal front and rear.

If anyone knows of a company that does 50mm lowering springs for 6 cylinder E30 please let me know

[HairyScreech]

drop hats or -60 springs with a 10mm pad under the rear.

failing that custom wound springs are only around the £150 mark.

[Topblag]

Both rear arches are showing signs of corrosion and in need of replacement ~ do people know if the later arch would fit or am I now faced with the challenge of finding early wing replacements?

You'll get rear arch inner and outer panels, for pre and post facelift from Hadrians panels (according to my bodyshop guy).I have them on both my E30s - much, much cheaper than BMW panels, although undoubtedly not as good quality metal.

[Dezzy]

drop hats or -60 springs with a 10mm pad under the rear.

failing that custom wound springs are only around the £150 mark.

I have drop hats on the front 35 H&Rs = 50mm

Its the rears that are a pain to get right on the chromie

[HairyScreech]

pair of custom wound springs or thicker spring pads under the rear springs and -60 ones then.

we ran a pair of metal 12mm spacers under a mates rear springs under the rubber spring pad, adjusted the ride height perfectly and was fine and noise free for 2 years to last week.

[Dezzy]

It would have to be custom springs then as the only makers of -60mm rear springs are jamex and the like it think.

If i could get a good quality spring 60mm then i would defos use the spacer idea (have already to get the ride height right on cheap springs) I think that the likes of H&R and eibach wont do a 60mm rear spring?

[town325i]

Im guessing this car is striped out if so this will make the rear sit higher as the weights of the seats and all the other shite in the car makes that springs sit lower.

I.e when i removed the rear seats and spare wheel and some other crap out of the back of a touring i was breaking the rear suspension raised nearly 2 inches

[NIX]

Where did you get the H&R Cup Kit mate and how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking?

Cheers,

Nick

[MattTheHat325]

[quote="Dezzy"]It would have to be custom springs then as the only makers of -60mm rear springs are jamex and the like it think.

i run 60mm weitec springs in mine mate, thery're not the dearest but i'm impressed with mine so far. made by KW IIRC. I think they are a bit better in quality than jamex etc. good value and work a treat with my b8's HTH

[Dezzy]

Cheers mate. Worth looking into then maybe. What do you reckon the chances are of getting them to selling me a pair of rear 60mm on there own?

[ScottEgg]

The car is stripped out so the rear will be lighter but would be surprised if this would result in raising ride height by 2 inches!

Dezzy ~ thanks for your comments, the car has the smallest rear spring pads (5mm); I guess you still have pads on your car? Crying out for a quality rear spring, I tried a cheap -60mm unit but the car was simply too soft on track. Can you clarrify what you have up front, drop hats and what springs? Does anyone know of a good -60mm spring?

NIX ~ I bought the kit about 18 months ago for about £500. I cant recall the supplier but they were bloody awful. I've got the details at home and will let you know.

[Dezzy]

Mate you don't even want to know what rear springs I have tried.

I have 35mm H&R springs with these
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... +drop+hats

They are really good quality.

I just need something of the same quality on the rear.

[MattTheHat325]

Cheers mate. Worth looking into then maybe. What do you reckon the chances are of getting them to selling me a pair of rear 60mm on there own?

no idea tbh mate, i got mine through demon tweeks, i'm pretty sure they were around 150 quid for 4 so they're not quite budget springs. but not as dear as h&r's. In fact they're slightly more expensive than KW's they're selves! just ring around places you find that sell them and ask if they will sell the rear pair, if not try and get hold of weitec direct maybe?