How To: Coilovers and strut tube modification (with pictures!)

[jpichu]

He lives dangerous and shameless; i like him.

Lol that makes the life more exciting, but i will weld that Sh** down for Sure

Oh BTW they feel Good, but i just need i new Swap

[Oolop]

ooooooh snaaaaaap

i'm so stoked when i get myyyy shocks!

i got my GC kit and camber plates, just need shocks!! gha i can't wati to do mine. i wish i could get started already so when i get the shocks, it's just to put everything back together.... but i sorta need to drive my car cuz it's what i use for daily :P but anyway, looks dope!

[Moto-Mucci]

gitit!

[HarryPotter]

Filed down.
You should bead weld the bottom though for support.
GC kits come with D-perches to slide on top and weld for added support.
Support is where it's at. Like a bra. This guy has his bra off though. He lives dangerous and shameless; i like him.

It can't be too sketchy considering your original springs sat on the same perch.

[ak-]

gc conversion kit is $400

shocks come next week :)
[ATTACH]33962[/ATTACH]

Word. That's how it's done.
What shocks are you going with?

Lol that makes the life more exciting, but i will weld that Sh** down for Sure

Oh BTW they feel Good, but i just need i new Swap
http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv204/jpichu/E30/5090444867_450a8ce775_z.jpg[/IMG]

Haha nice.

It can't be too sketchy considering your original springs sat on the same perch.

True, but you also had a spring perch/cup prior that distributed the weight I'm guessing.
Kind of like when you are crossing a frozen lake. It's better to get on all fours and crawl across than to go standing.

[Stephen]

The original perch wouldn't have distributed the weight, its all still coming down to that bead where it is attatched. Not to mention applying more heat to make the extra bead only makes the tube weaker even though there is more material.


You can do it either way, but adding the extra perch/welding is only necessary for shortening struts. I would make sure you leave enough of the original to make sure the threaded perch can not pass the sleeve

[HarryPotter]

You know why cosmos are shit? Cause they give you rubber bands to fill the gaps..

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

Okay I've read almost the entire thread. but still have a few questions.

l'm on h&r race and bilstein sports.

how much lower will I be able to go with this gc kit..with or without shortening the strut?

[Oolop]

it says it on GC website, i think it's like 2.2 inches, without shortening the housing

[e30shmobberr]

I just finished my coilover install on Thursday, but i ruined both my control arm threads so i ordered new ones from ssf, and received them on Friday and i got around to installing them on Saturday. Yesterday was my driving day and everything is working out. I did kill my front lip last night, but i still
l am happy with my welds and my install. My shocks are VAC Motorsport's Special Valved Koni's with tc kline's rear shock mounts.

[acolella76]

Okay I've read almost the entire thread. but still have a few questions.

l'm on h&r race and bilstein sports.

how much lower will I be able to go with this gc kit..with or without shortening the strut?

2.25 inches with stock hats, around half an inch more if you buy camber plates.



Question: How much, if at all, can I shorten my housing with Bilstein sports?

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

2.25 inches with stock hats, around half an inch more if you buy camber plates.



Question: How much, if at all, can I shorten my housing with Bilstein sports?

2.25 lower than i am on my race springs?

and i share the same question ^

[acolella76]

2.25 lower than i am on my race springs?

and i share the same question ^

lower than stock

[acolella76]

so let me get this straight I can use 325ix koni adjustables in the front, shorten the strut 1" and make a 3" spacer at the bottom? I think that's what I will do.

[ak-]

2.25 lower than i am on my race springs?

and i share the same question ^

With Bilstein Sports, GC's, and camber plates you are able to go lower than H&R race and then some. But the ride quality won't be great since you will be touching internal bumpstops even if you cut 1 of the 3 that are inside.