Which Springs for IX

[Bolestuff]

Thanks for the input, and I think you are correct on the shorter throw. I think it is only a 10th of an inch thought. I'm not down with the stock ride hight, but thanks.

[berlow94]

Since the front springs on an IX are linear, compared to the progressive front springs on all other e30's, why don't you just use a stock spring a cut 1/2 or 1 coil off?


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[berlow94]

Here is a pic of my car set up with a fresh coilover kit from Ground Control.
Might raise the rears just a tad. Front is about stock height which is what I wanted.



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[ghatid]

Here is a pic of my car set up with a fresh coilover kit from Ground Control.
Might raise the rears just a tad. Front is about stock height which is what I wanted.



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Yeah yeah, whatever. Stop showing off your stupid snow.

[kid325e]

Which Springs for IX

Did you shorten the housings at all or just cut up the perch and set the sleeve on top of the weld for the perch? I'm contemplating doing the conversion but not so sure it's worth it if I can get a good look with HRs and Konis. Currently on Spax Racing Springs and I love them but the struts and shocks are blown out so i'm ready for something new.

I'm really leaning towards running my Dinan iX springs and Konis through the winter. I do like the look of the car currently and never bottom out or anything.

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[berlow94]

Did you shorten the housings at all or just cut up the perch and set the sleeve on top of the weld for the perch? I'm contemplating doing the conversion but not so sure it's worth it if I can get a good look with HRs and Konis. Currently on Spax Racing Springs and I love them but the struts and shocks are blown out so i'm ready for something new.

I'm really leaning towards running my Dinan iX springs and Konis through the winter. I do like the look of the car currently and never bottom out or anything.

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I went to this setup from H&R's.
This was not just about being able to adjust ride height, or more importantly, corner balance the car. This was mostly about switching to linear rate springs. The H&R's are firmer than stock and a little lower ride height than stock but are still pretty progressive and unpredictable. I'm 100% function over form when it comes to suspension.

As per Ground Controls instructions, I did not modify the front strut housings at all.
In order to cut the stock spring perch off an IX housing you would have to weld on a new sway bar link mount. Unlike the E30 M3 which is anchored on the strut tube itself, the IX anchor is on the spring perch. I might trim some of the stock spring perch off just to gain a little more access to the adjustment collar but that's it.


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[kid325e]

that's the information I wanted to know. How much lower can you go, just curious what the range of adjustability is from your height in the photo. I like your light bar!


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[berlow94]

Thanks!
Its a DV8 offroad 50". 19,000 lumens! There's a total of over 32,000 lumens of light output on this car. 100w Hella fog's (not pictured) 55w HID low beams, 100w Hella high beams.

In the rear i am 2 full threads from being at the top of the adjustment. In the front i am about 3/4 of the way to the top. Definitely enough room on both to go up slightly and drop it to a summer ride height as well.

[nando]

I had my housings shortened 2". the swaybar links brackets are fabricated from square tube.



On my original setup, which I did not shorten, they removed the brackets from the original perch and welded them back on.




BTW, you don't need "shorter" swaybar links if you are lowering. The strut goes up, as does the perch - which means the links actually need to be longer. However, if you are removing the perch, it's easier to just move the bracket down so the link can remain the stock length.

Originally, I had adjustable links with heim joints, but they just don't last on the street (maybe 2-3 years before they start to rattle and squeak). My current setup uses stock links, and really if it's off a half inch or so it's not going to make any difference. The ix front swaybar is so small, if you have significantly stiffer spring rates than stock it doesn't do a whole lot anyway.

Also, I'm pretty sure stock ix springs are not linear. They are progressive like every other E30 - they are just a little longer.

[kid325e]

Thanks for clearing that up. Nando who did you have do the shortening/conversion for you?

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[berlow94]

All of the E30 springs that i have held in my hand have been progressive. Including the IX rear. The fronts definitely do not look progressive though!
As for the different sway bar links, i agree. Overall length change isn't needed. The only reason for adjustable end links is when corner balancing the car. Before you set the car on scales you disconnect 1 front and 1 rear link. Get all of your heights/weights where you want them, and then change the length of the end link so that there is no preload on the sway bar. Most of the time to get a car's cross weights 50/50 you will end up with unequal heights on your 4 corners. If you have non-adjustable end links then this will apply preload to the bar.
A wish someone made a stiffer IX front bar :(

[nando]

A buddy did the first set, forcedfirebird did the second.

[kid325e]

Nice! Still on the fence about what to do but I appreciate the input.

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[nando]

if you are doing stock height or not much lower, you don't need to shorten them but I would still cut the stock perches off (gives you more tire room). if you are lowering considerably and don't want a car that rides like it has 2x4s for springs, you'll want to shorten the housings and use Koni race inserts (still stiff, but potholes don't make my heart jump out of my throat). You can still raise it up to stock height (but you would need an alignment after that much of a drastic change).

It's not mentioned in this thread, but if you are considering camber plates - unless it's a rarely driven car or does a lot of competition, I don't recommend them. The stock mounts absorb a lot of NVH and shocks. The ride is pretty harsh with the camber plates, stiff springs/shocks or not.

You can, and I'm not even kidding, feel the edges of those paint stripes they use at stop signs and cross walks. It's fine for the way I use the car (mostly in summer/weekends), but if you DD it and the roads suck you're going to hate it.

[flyboyx]

i have h&r's/billies on one of my ix's. all the others have been stock suspension. i don't find the aftermarket parts to be harsh. i am one who would be complaining if they were.