Coilover conversion wanted?

[Gunni]

Id say it´s rather the use of a unlinear spring, that is soft at first and then stiffens.
as the rubber doesn´t act as a shock it acts as a initial spring,

I´ve been in a E30 with race top mounts and KW coilovers V2 and on solid roads it´s out of this world sweet.
But everywhere else it´s not so much. But to me livable.

[Demlotcrew]

I switched from a unlinear (H&R) springs to Eibach and that really did make a difference to the way the car behaved (positively good) and for that reason im out

Joke

I really like the look of this kit i think it has good potential just need to iron out the top perch, i know that lots of KW kits come with plastic top perches

Andrew

[Jhonno]

i know that lots of KW kits come with plastic top perches

Andrew

[Gunni]

Are you sure it´s not anodized billet aluminium?

[UweM3]

nothing wrong with "plastic". If the design is correct and the material is choosen to suit they will perfom ok.

[Demlotcrew]

No one said there was anything wrong with it

[Gunni]

No one said there was anything wrong with it

Your icon implied it was shocking information to you.
So obviously people take it that you feel that they are not up to the tasc

[Demlotcrew]

No one said there was anything wrong with it

Your icon implied it was shocking information to you.
So obviously people take it that you feel that they are not up to the tasc

Yes shocking because its a cheapo way to finish off what is a good kit! (KW) not because the plastic isnt upto the job!

Andrew

[UweM3]

Thanks to the kindness of a fellow zoner who donated a standard 51mm strut I was able to compare the lower perch position. There is NO difference between the M3 strut and the E30 strut.
The spring perch is exactly at the same height fromt the collar nut.

BTW I wouldn't call a proper engineered plastic part "cheapo". It serves a double purpose, weight reduction and cost saving (let's hope they will pass that saving on to us customers....

[oze30]

Uwe, what about the overall height from track rod lever to collar nut plus internally? remeber the M3 has a bolt on bolt off plate at the bottom.

[UweM3]

Uwe, what about the overall height from track rod lever to collar nut plus internally? remeber the M3 has a bolt on bolt off plate at the bottom.

I will measure in more detail soon. I would be very surprised if there is a difference, but let's not jump the gun.

[Demlotcrew]

Uwe tell me why I shouldn't call it cheapo? Weight ha, don't Make me laugh there is no way you would notice, the only reason its plastic is to keep the costs down.

Ill need to dig my struts out and take some pics.

[oze30]

Uwe tell me why I shouldn't call it cheapo? Weight ha, don't Make me laugh there is no way you would notice, the only reason its plastic is to keep the costs down.

Ill need to dig my struts out and take some pics.

Plastic can be stronger in some instance than some metals. Thermo plastics for instance. I'm sure NASA would have used alloy if they required it.

[UweM3]

Uwe tell me why I shouldn't call it cheapo? Weight ha, don't Make me laugh there is no way you would notice, the only reason its plastic is to keep the costs down.

Ill need to dig my struts out and take some pics.

Even little savings can add up in the big picture. But I agree, that looks like a cost saving. But I do appreciate if a manufactuter tries to keep costs down. As long this cost saving is passed on to the customer.
do you have a KW strut sitting around, or are they on your car already?

[UweM3]

quick update.

I have measured the two different struts and the difference in ride height stems from the fact that the stub axle on the M3 strut is approx 10-12mm closer to the collar nut compared to the E30 strut.
The mounting point for the wishbone is on a different height, but that only effects the rollcentre.

From my point of view, the M3 strut better suited for the coilover conversion, giving 10-12mm more suspension travel at same ride height.

[Gunni]

Thanks to the kindness of a fellow zoner who donated a standard 51mm strut I was able to compare the lower perch position. There is NO difference between the M3 strut and the E30 strut.
The spring perch is exactly at the same height fromt the collar nut.

BTW I wouldn't call a proper engineered plastic part "cheapo". It serves a double purpose, weight reduction and cost saving (let's hope they will pass that saving on to us customers....

That is not what demlotcrew was saying,
it´s at the bottom of the strut where things aren´t in the same location,
if you would measure from the spring perch to the tie rod and or wheel bearing location I belive they will not be in the same place?

[UweM3]

Thanks to the kindness of a fellow zoner who donated a standard 51mm strut I was able to compare the lower perch position. There is NO difference between the M3 strut and the E30 strut.
The spring perch is exactly at the same height fromt the collar nut.

BTW I wouldn't call a proper engineered plastic part "cheapo". It serves a double purpose, weight reduction and cost saving (let's hope they will pass that saving on to us customers....

That is not what demlotcrew was saying,
it´s at the bottom of the strut where things aren´t in the same location,
if you would measure from the spring perch to the tie rod and or wheel bearing location I belive they will not be in the same place?

Please read my post again. That's exactly what I said. The stub axle is on a different position. Everything below the stubaxle doesn't change the ride height.

[oze30]

what about internally? The difference would stem from the strut tube being raised to fit the bolt on tie rod lever. Did you measure the internal lengths?

[UweM3]

what about internally? The difference would stem from the strut tube being raised to fit the bolt on tie rod lever. Did you measure the internal lengths?

the tube on both struts is the same. Remember, they use the same strut insert.
The position of the tie rod has nothing to do with the ride height. The dimension from centre wheel to the top of the strut is responsible for the ride height.
Imagine:
Strut with spring and wishbone etc is on the car, but NO stub axle.
Now put the stubaxle on that assembly, if you move the axle up, you ride height does down without touching any of the other parts of the suspension. Can you follow my thoughts?

So basically the M3 and the other E30's do share the same suspension travel, but the M3 rides slightly lower because of the position of the stub axle.

The different positions of the wishbone points (or call it tie rod level) will only change the rollcentre height. Have a read here: http://e30m3performance.com/myths/Weigh ... nsfer2.htm

[Dan318-is]

This is a very interesting read!

[Demlotcrew]

Uwe tell me why I shouldn't call it cheapo? Weight ha, don't Make me laugh there is no way you would notice, the only reason its plastic is to keep the costs down.

Ill need to dig my struts out and take some pics.

Even little savings can add up in the big picture. But I agree, that looks like a cost saving. But I do appreciate if a manufactuter tries to keep costs down. As long this cost saving is passed on to the customer.
do you have a KW strut sitting around, or are they on your car already?

No this was a set i test fitted on a E36 M3 saloon. Im running Ledas on mine now.

Andrew

[snoops]

all this tech talk! when will these be ready to buy?

[UweM3]

Uwe tell me why I shouldn't call it cheapo? Weight ha, don't Make me laugh there is no way you would notice, the only reason its plastic is to keep the costs down.

Ill need to dig my struts out and take some pics.

Even little savings can add up in the big picture. But I agree, that looks like a cost saving. But I do appreciate if a manufactuter tries to keep costs down. As long this cost saving is passed on to the customer.
do you have a KW strut sitting around, or are they on your car already?

No this was a set i test fitted on a E36 M3 saloon. Im running Ledas on mine now.

Andrew

measured a LEDA strut yesterday. The strut housing is approx 1.5" shorter than E30/M3.
Co0nsidering that most people run them with solid top mounts, there is much more suspension travel than required.

The only strut that seems to be the same length is the H&R coilover as it takes the B8 insert. But I haven't seen this myself (comes from a source I trust)

[UweM3]

all this tech talk! when will these be ready to buy?

LooL! good one

sometimes you need to ask a few questions to make sure you get what you wanted. I am sure Gunni will be able to supply in the near future

[maz894]

hi i have a 325i 4door and have lowered it by 60,40. and the handling is improved but the ride has become intolerably rough. i am interested in your setup but would like to keep the height the same as i have now. but i'm not sure what type of spring rate i need. i will be using the car for everyday use but want performance too.

[1an]

Gunni do you have any news on these?

[sidewaysbm]

did anyone end up fitting a set of these?

[chris_m50]

Hey guys
Im looking into suspension for my next car. Gonna be getting a 325 convertible (whether it comes with it or not!)
running 9jx16 borbet a's front and rear. I know there not the best handling wheels but these are the sacrifices that need to be made
Would like to achieve a 60/70mm drop as my old sport is lowered 80mm and they are currently sitting on the inner arches so i need adjustability on the back mostly. I have avo rear adjustables...
Any ideas when the kits would be available??
Cheers

[Gunni]

Guys I have no time to mess around with this,
I was hoping to get you guys into coilovers and the benefits obtainable from having height adjustability,
but time wise, I can´t

To much time spent on turbo system design.
In any case there is already info in this thread that will get you all the parts needed to make it work.

[BadDave]

I was hoping to get you guys into coilovers and the benefits obtainable from having height adjustability,
In any case there is already info in this thread that will get you all the parts needed to make it work.

I've already converted, using a similar method,Even forked out for "proper"ones on the rear.

It's definately worth doing if you can get the spring rates/damping right