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    Ground Control Kit on M3 advice needed

    Hi guys

    Just installed my GC conversion kit and wanted to get some advice on how my car is sitting.

    Car is an 89 M3 with the GC kit with GC koni struts in the stock full length housings on stock tower mounts. Wheels are 16x8 on 225/45/16

    Below is a pic of how the car currently sits. I find the front sitting higher than I thought it would. If I adjust the sleeve ring any lower the bump stops sit on the GC sleeves.

    The car had h&r sports previously and it sat a bit lower so I'm not sure if this GC kit should sit the same or lower.

    I'm going to order the GC hybrid camber plates tomorrow which are shorter heights than the stock tower mounts so should make the car sit better. Just wanted to have any thoughts of how it sits for those that have a similar setup

    Also included some pics of the front installed kit (note this this is with the car on jack stands). Apologize for the dirt it hasn't stopped raining the last few days.

    Cheers




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by djafactor; 07-01-2017, 09:37 PM.
    '89 BMW M3
    '94 BMW 318i Touring
    '11 BMW 1M
    '97 BMW 328i
    '89 BMW 325i w/M52 (Race Car)
    pixsoul.ca | electricpixel.ca

    #2
    Since you are still running full length housings with perches you need lower stack height mounts/camber plates and/or shorter stiffer springs.
    "I'd probably take the E30 M3 in this case just because I love that little car, and how tanky that inline 6 is." - thecj

    85 323i M TECH 1 S52 - ALPINEWEISS/SCHWARZE
    88 M3 - LACHSSILBER/SCHWARZE
    89 M3 - ALPINEWEISS II/M TECH CLOTH-ALCANTARA
    91 M TECHNIC CABRIO TURBO - MACAOBLAU/M TECH CLOTH-LEATHER

    Comment


      #3
      You didn't trim your bump stops, the "directions" GC supplies says to cut them basically in half.

      You really should cut off the spring perch too, that's propping your sleeve ring up quite a bit.

      Comment


        #4
        Thanks. Have since done so. Also added the GC camber plates which helped and now just received 5" springs from GC to try


        Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
        '89 BMW M3
        '94 BMW 318i Touring
        '11 BMW 1M
        '97 BMW 328i
        '89 BMW 325i w/M52 (Race Car)
        pixsoul.ca | electricpixel.ca

        Comment


          #5
          Having sourced 5" springs will allow you to get lower but be aware you might bottom out your koni's which will damage them internally and that is not covered with altered bump stops.

          The alternative is to find a set of E30 M3 struts that have had the perches modified already and weld on ring to hold the adjusters so you can use a 6" spring allowing full travel.


          J-stock
          Last edited by M-technik-3; 08-18-2017, 05:27 PM.
          https://www.facebook.com/BentOverRacing

          Comment


            #6
            Cheers. I installed the 5" springs and trimmed the top of the GC sleeve so it's more flush with the top of the strut. This gave me a half inch more strut travel before bottoming out. Been driving around our horrendous Montreal roads the last couple of days trying to test the limits of travel and all seems good with no bottoming out. I just adjusted it up another 1/4" from the following pic so should be good to go for my Monday alignment appointment.

            Thanks




            Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
            '89 BMW M3
            '94 BMW 318i Touring
            '11 BMW 1M
            '97 BMW 328i
            '89 BMW 325i w/M52 (Race Car)
            pixsoul.ca | electricpixel.ca

            Comment


              #7
              The GC sleeve is not seated correctly. There should be no stock hardware underneath it. I believe I see the nylon ring in there.

              Also, you lose some drop due to the factory perch being retained which limits the downward adjustment of the gold nut.
              Suspension tips here...
              http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/album.php?albumid=757

              sigpic

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by DRTSRFR View Post
                The GC sleeve is not seated correctly. There should be no stock hardware underneath it. I believe I see the nylon ring in there.

                Also, you lose some drop due to the factory perch being retained which limits the downward adjustment of the gold nut.
                You don't want to know the price of an e30 M3 strut tube this is why he did not cut the perch off to go lower.
                https://www.facebook.com/BentOverRacing

                Comment


                  #9
                  Yeah at $1200 per housing I definitely was not going to cut anything. The 5” springs have worked out great. No bottoming out and the fit and ride is excellent. Super happy with the results.


                  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
                  '89 BMW M3
                  '94 BMW 318i Touring
                  '11 BMW 1M
                  '97 BMW 328i
                  '89 BMW 325i w/M52 (Race Car)
                  pixsoul.ca | electricpixel.ca

                  Comment


                    #10
                    By chance would you be able to snap a couple of pics of the top and bottom of your GC camber plates? My GC plates don't have any markings for side or orientation, and I'm trying to confirm correct set up. Thanks.

                    Comment

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