Stiffen my ride....

[EOS]

Right at the moment, i've got E36 328 front legs (not bilstein ones) with 40mm springs at the front, and at the rear the Z3 legs with a 60mm drop and the standard E30 318 shocks. At the moment its a nice smooth ride which is pretty comfortable, but i want to change that to a stiffer setup with less body roll etc...with out going for adjustable shocks, which make would you guy recommend?

Also if i buy a complete E36 suspension kit will the rear shocks/dampers fit, they have the same size bolt hole at the bottom and nut at the top, but are they longer etc...or do you recommend not to do this and buy e36 fronts and E30 back's. Just its cheaper as a kit


Thanks

[ed325i]

I was thinking about using koni adjustables or spax adjustables on mine but not sure

ED

[andyborris]

If you just want to lose the roll, stiffer ARBs.

Go too stiff on the springs and you'll just hop from bump to bump!

Andy

[ed325i]

I have been told to have soft springs with stiff dampers

ED

[FlappySocks]

Dampers only work in the upward stroke don't they? For a stuff ride, you need stiff strings. M-tech springs are stiff.

Stuart.

[ed325i]

They work on the bump and rebound stroke.

http://www.koni.com/_cars/frame.html


ED

[EOS]

If you just want to lose the roll, stiffer ARBs.

Which ARB's do you recommend? To reduce the body roll right up. Anyone on here fitted some and noitced good improvments?

I do need to stiffen the rear up still tho, cause when i put my foot down the wheels are hitting the outer arch even tho they've been rolled and pulled out. Probably going to go for some slimmer rears soon as the 8.5's on there at the moment, and killing tyres.

[andyborris]

I have been told to have soft springs with stiff dampers

ED

That's right to a certain extent, remember the dampers/shocks should really only control the springs, so "stiffer" dampers will stop the springs "bouncing" and reduce body movement over bumps, giving a more controlled ride.

Too stiff will stop the springs working though and probably won't last very long either.

Too much bump resistance means the whole car bounces up when it hits a bump, this un-weights the car giving reduced grip and traction, that's why really stiff springs may not be the best answer.

Andy

[andyborris]

If you just want to lose the roll, stiffer ARBs.

Which ARB's do you recommend? To reduce the body roll right up. Anyone on here fitted some and noitced good improvments?

I do need to stiffen the rear up still tho, cause when i put my foot down the wheels are hitting the outer arch even tho they've been rolled and pulled out. Probably going to go for some slimmer rears soon as the 8.5's on there at the moment, and killing tyres.

I can't recommend any, haven't done any back to back testing, but others on this list have had success with the ARBs sold through the E30 list shop.

I believe that they are adjustable too, which is a good thing.

Some rear "squat" as you accelerate is good, improves the rear tyres grip. Not sure how you'll fix your problem though because you've moved so far from standard.

You can redesign the rear suspension to include anti-squat geometry, that will be a big job though! Try a set of progressive springs, these get stiffer as they compress, or a larger bump stop.

Andy

[Dan318-is]

Eibach or HnR anti roll bars will both do the job. HnR ones are thicker but eibach ones come with bushes, brackets, bolts, drop links, basically the whole kit for fitting. three way adjustable too. i have mine on the stiffest setting an they rock.

re: stiffness, there is really no other alternative but sports bilsteins i think. its the stiffest shock iv ever seen. Koni's are adjsutable also an iv heard you can get them quite stiff.

Progressive springs are standard on most proper makes now anyway i thought e.g HnR?

[jamesc]

I've got the H&R ones from the Zone shop and they are great. Fronts have 3 settings and rears have 2. As 318-is says, they only come with bushes so you will need new drop links and I would recommend new brackets (one of my old brackets was rusted through) - the new brackets are only a few quid from the dealers.

James

[EOS]

Some rear "squat" as you accelerate is good, improves the rear tyres grip. Not sure how you'll fix your problem though because you've moved so far from standard.

I agree, but mines a touch to much in 1st 2nd and 3rd it pulls it down to much and rubs. Might start out by changing the rear dampers to some adjustable konis -matching up front as well, then try the ARB's if it still rolls to much in the corners.

Normal driving's fine its just when i give it a bit of beans, so that also made me think of longer bump stops so it hits those rather than the arches. Should work as it shouldn't hit them in normal driving conditons.

[Cotty]

I've got the H&R ones from the Zone shop and they are great.

Yep same here, really good.

[EOS]

Can't seem to get on the zone shop? Anyone else having this problem?

[ed325i]

You could fit something like this to adjust the anti roll bar.




ED

[Cotty]

Can't seem to get on the zone shop? Anyone else having this problem?

Works for me, this is the link to the H&R ARB's
http://www.xsperformance.co.uk/e30zone/ ... ucts_id=25