Suspension Thoughts

[Motorhole]

So before I dive in with questions, I just wanna say I”˜ve only done one trackday in my E30 so far - and I intend to spend the next few months driving it, doing more trackdays, getting used to the car and improving myself. So I”˜m not looking to uprade for a little while yet.

Nevertheless, just one trackday confirmed it needs stiffer springs, at least. The sump was hitting the tarmac on the way out of lodge corner at Oulton Park under full compression, for one. And it rolls too readily.

Anyone following my build thread will know it”˜s been built to a budget largely using salvaged parts - and the current setup is the ”˜proper”˜ E36 5-stud arrangement, using E36 Compact Koni coilovers, bought 2nd hand but unused. The spring rates were always going to be a gamble, but they obviously arn”˜t quite there. Neveretheless, there are two other minor gripes I have with them:

1) Front shocks don”˜t incorporate the strut pickup for the ARB
2) Rear struts need to be removed to adjust damping - which is a PITA.

Putting these issues aside, I could easily get some front coilover springs from Faulkner or the like, at a suitable rate, and I”˜m done. The rear seems trickier though - if I”˜m going to use regular coilover springs, I also need to get custom spring perches and helper springs - and the price starts rising quickly. I can”˜t seem to find anywhere that”˜ll do OEM-shaped pigtail springs in a range of lengths/spring rates.

If I”˜m going to spend that sort of money just on springs - and I”˜m already not 100% happy with issues 1 & 2 above - then I might aswell sell this setup on and pick up a new set of coilovers with the rates I want - right? The price difference, all considered wouldn”˜t be all that much, particularly if going HSD/BC who also supply top mounts - I could sell on my current camber mounts and roller-bearing upper spring cups too.

So what to go for, as a kit, for under a grand? Bearing in mind I need to speak to the supplier to arrange spring rates and potentially, custom top mounts - E30 strut fitment with a larger bearing to fit the E36 coilover - or failing that, keep my own.

It seems the likes of BC Racing, HSD, AVO and GAZ may all be able to do this. I know KW have a good rep, but they”˜re exceeding £1k. Added benefit of HSD/BC seems to be that the height can be adjusted without reducing suspension travel.

So what are peoples thoughs? Naturally, if someone knows who supplies pigtail springs ina range of rates, that”˜d be great too!

[bumpygt]

Before Xmas I was down Faulkner's place and we tested my standard spring. And was talking about making up a set of progressive rate springs for my off road e30. But they would be around £140 a spring that's with pig tail and ground flat. My problem was I didn't have time to get them done and I'm now trying van springs

[DanThe]

I have some Faulkner made rear springs, they are supposed to be a copy of the new H&R they were supplied with but 15mm lower, they were fine at first but over the course of about 1000 - 2000 miles I had to pack them up using the largest spring pads available from BMW because they have dropped, so im not impressed at all really.

Your problem will be the E36 mix of parts, damper length, valving and spring rates etc, if I were you, and you have to keep it 5 stud, id save up for some M3 spec coilovers and be done with it. Keeping it simple is always the least problematic

[Motorhole]

I have some Faulkner made rear springs, they are supposed to be a copy of the new H&R they were supplied with but 15mm lower, they were fine at first but over the course of about 1000 - 2000 miles I had to pack them up using the largest spring pads available from BMW because they have dropped, so im not impressed at all really.

Your problem will be the E36 mix of parts, damper length, valving and spring rates etc, if I were you, and you have to keep it 5 stud, id save up for some M3 spec coilovers and be done with it. Keeping it simple is always the least problematic

The main reason for me staying 5-stud is for the E36 M3 brakes. Big brakes, big stopping power, affordable pads and discs - even if they are heavy. If I went E30 M3 coilover setup, I would also have to fork out for a big brake kit to keep that stopping power, = big ££.

From what I”˜ve read, BC, GAZ and Avo could all provide me with re-valved dampers, specified spring rates etc to suit - so whatever experience anybody has with these brands would be useful - leaning towards BC mainly because I”˜ve read a great deal of good things about their support, willingness to please and aftersales. What I don”˜t know is if the likes of HSD, Tein, KW etc could offer a similar service with regards to a custom setup.

[DanThe]

I know someone with the HSD E36 coilovers on an E30 and he has never got it right, I dont think he even got the rears to fit.
GAZ are very popular with E30's I have them on mine and cant fault

[rich318i]

B8 Shocks and H&R Sport springs and Eibach anti-roll bars.. Great mix!!!

Been tested by many and im a fan of that setup

[Motorhole]

B8 Shocks and H&R Sport springs and Eibach anti-roll bars.. Great mix!!!

Been tested by many and im a fan of that setup

I”˜m sure they are great on a road car, where the shell has a tendancy to flex and absorb a certain degree of movement. Once the flex in the shell has been eliminated by using a welded roll cage and reinforcing strut towers, inner wings etc, the same springs and dampers that were so good before will become far too soft, as the springs and dampers now take the whole load. I can get 3 wheels of my E30 in the air jacking from just one corner. There isn”˜t much flex at all.

I”˜d be after a setup of E36 M3 fronts and E30 rears OR perhaps a Z3M set - in either case, with the spring rates specified by me and dampers revalved to suit.

Dan - do you know if the GAZ E36 front coilovers have the strut pickup for the ARB drop links?

[Demlotcrew]

I have some experience with HSD's on an E36 M3, I cant recommend them, they are so inconsistent, the adjustment had to be different on each corner, and one of the fronts kept coming loose and after every session the adjustment had to be reset. So many other issues I wont go on.

Problem is, I don't rate Gaz either

[Motorhole]

Thanks Andrew, that's a pretty damning review of the HSDs then. Does anyone on here have any experience with Avo?

[miles25]

I run Gaz shocks on track as well (caged E30 M52) and was suitably impressed, and not a rediculous price new imo

[DanThe]

Lots are using GAZ on E30 track cars and the only bad news ive heard is the adjusters can break off if you dont grease them

[Mikey_Boy]

Given that you have a shell that's stiff, I wouldn't get too hung up on spring rates. Most folks run springs that are FAR too stiff - let the suspension work and keep all 4 wheels on the ground to give you grip and traction. Anti roll bars are the key here to keep the car in check under lateral loads with correct valuing of shocks to keep the wheel travel in check on bumps.

You can get big brakes on 4 studs so don't be afraid of going back - I have 330mm disks on 4 studs on my track turd.

Most of the manufacturers you mention above are gash - Bilstein are great, Gaz are just about acceptable, I wouldn't touch Avo with a barge pole.

Seems to me you want F1 handling on a Yorkshire budget... That ain't happening!!

[Motorhole]

We”˜d all love cheap F1 handling! I”˜m just trying to polish out niggles whilst achieving best vfm. I”˜m not too worried about chasing lap times, but reliability is important and when I have to lift off when going through depressions or over peaks, it does affect enjoyment.

With regards to the ARB, being able to utilise a front strut pickup rather than lower arm would increase its effectiveness significantly, but my current setup doesn”˜t have this.

Thanks for the feedback on Avo. Definitely worth knowing!

Edit: if I were to increase my budget somewhat, I think a Ground Control kit from the states would be next in line - about £1300 if I get stung for customs.