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

[Teaguer]

[newb flame suit /on]
If I get a ground control setup...I need to chop/weld my strut housings?
[newb flame suit /off]

Depends on which GC set-up you go with .

You can get a complete housing wiht the adjusters already mounted and installed .
$$$

Then you can get the coil-over kit and shorten your housings and then youmust purchase inserts for a different non-e30 application .
A lower spacer and or custom revalving of the inserts may be needed .
$$

Or you can get the coil-over kit and just grind off your lower perches and you are pretty much set .
$

[VAPORBLADE]

ok, #3 for me I bet. :)

I was thinking this set:

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=540/CA=8

[Teaguer]

ok, #3 for me I bet. :)
I was thinking this set:
http://www.ground-control-store.com/...hp/II=540/CA=8

The kit you listed is a complete set with shocks and camber plates and everything .

You can get just the coil-over conversion parts from GC for around $400 or so to convert your struts to coil-overs and still use your inserts to reduce the cost .
Heres the LINK for the E30 conversion kit .

Heres a kit that I bough for one of my E34's :


That is the same set-up that you will get for the E30 but with different spring rates .
You should also be able to get just the fronts for around $200 from GC .

Of course you can get cheaper stuff from other vendors or even off of eBay .
Be aware that most of the no name eBay stuff will be of lesser quality though .

[diegom6]

I did pretty much the same with mine... it's better than spending all that cash for a complete setup for the front.

[Axxe]

OK, where can I find those adjustable perches?

[NickS]

Diego, what front struts are those?? I've never seen a two-piece front strut setup like that for a BMW, where the hub carrier is separate from the strut-housing.

I did pretty much the same with mine... it's better than spending all that cash for a complete setup for the front.

[2002maniac]

OK, where can I find those adjustable perches?

ebay. Just type in "coilover" and lowest price first.

srsly. it is worth it to buy a whole kit just for the sleeves and nuts. you can do 2 cars with one kit.

Use 6" eibach springs front and rear with aftermarket camber plates up front and put the spring on the stock perches in the back. no adjustment.

[diegom6]

Diego, what front struts are those?? I've never seen a two-piece front strut setup like that for a BMW, where the hub carrier is separate from the strut-housing.

These are e36 shocks, I cutted the top, pulled offf the main body of the shock, cleaned up all inside of the body, welded a thread inside, made the cap to adjust the insert shock of the e30 ( Koni) and wahlaaaaa, that final product.

The only downside is that it is little more taller than standar e30 shock/strut, but we will see what happens in the road.

[1991 318is]

Who makes this stuff?

Sleeves and adjusters. Who knows who really makes this stuff? Places in China, Eastern Europe (Bilstein), etc. It's like the Hondas and Toyotos that are "made" in the US. Soon BMW's!

http://www.pitstopusa.com/Categories.aspx?ID=3382

[Rocla]

Sleeves and adjusters. Who knows who really makes this stuff? Places in China, Eastern Europe (Bilstein), etc. It's like the Hondas and Toyotos that are "made" in the US. Soon BMW's!
http://www.pitstopusa.com/Categories.aspx?ID=3382

Lautamäki motorsport her in Finland sells this kind of sets and pieces:



I Know that they are made in England, but not by who and who sells them over there.

My fronts are made with that kit.

[VAPORBLADE]

The kit you listed is a complete set with shocks and camber plates and everything .

You can get just the coil-over conversion parts from GC for around $400 or so to convert your struts to coil-overs and still use your inserts to reduce the cost .
Heres the LINK for the E30 conversion kit .

Thank you for the tips! :) I do need - well most of it...but not all of it. I need shocks too when I go that route. I see they are all sold out of Koni's, that sucks. I will have to look around.

[kishg]

ok, #3 for me I bet. :)

I was thinking this set:

http://www.ground-control-store.com/...hp/II=540/CA=8

i got the full kit mentioned above and didnt cut the lower spring perch, my threaded sleeve sits on the lower spring perch. is this an issue? also, i noticed that it is difficult to adjust the sleeve all the way down when resting on the lower perch. is this a known issue?

[electric zounds]

Can you post pics of how the rear setup works? I drive a vw so the front is the same as the rear but i'll be in an e30 soon.

[mazur]

Here's a good question, why don't they make custom strut housings for coilover kits for E30's. It was so easy with my e36...1.take out of box 2. Bolt on

[2002maniac]

Here's a good question, why don't they make custom strut housings for coilover kits for E30's. It was so easy with my e36...1.take out of box 2. Bolt on

e30's have the spindle integral to the strut.