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

[Moto-Mucci]

Chopping 1.5" off the housing is actually lowering the perch about 3-3.5" already. You don't weld the perch onto the very top of the housing, it needs to be about 1.5-2in down the housing so the adjuster sleeve has something to fit around.

Cutting 4" off the housing would result in you lowering the car 5.5-6" right off the bat. The G60 shocks will not handle this well considering they're valved to hold up a 1.8L 4cyl.

[mr.vang]

This.


Also, why not just cut the tube 4" and eliminate the spacer? It would go a lot lower.

^agree. i don't get why you guys need 3" of spacer when you can just cut 4" off the housing and throw in a G60 shock.then screw in the shock holder to hold down the adjustable perch. then adjust your spring higher to make up for the lost of 4". that way the spring is preload or so what close to it.

[AlarmedBread]

where would you get the adjustable sleeve? and how much?

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Garage-Sale-Coil-Over-Sleeve-and-Nut,45246.html

They have a lot of other hardware too.

[timofeylbelarus]

thanks ill check that out

[JRKOUPE]

where would you get the adjustable sleeve? and how much?

GC may sell em to ya...

or any circle track speed shop has sleeves...

or pitstopusa...

or try Jegs

try summit too.

[timofeylbelarus]

where would you get the adjustable sleeve? and how much?

[Chrisv006]

I am about to go ahead and do this project next week...but I had just one question -

Why just cut off 1"? Wouldnt 1.5" or 2" allow for more travel. I understand you would need to set the coilver higher to obtain the same height, but where is the optimal amount to cut off?

[sticksdaman]

Lots of misconceptions in this thread. Too many people spread these rumors or ideas around with little to no first hand experience.

You do NOT have to section your strut tubes with stock length bilstein sports. If you shorten your strut tubes you will need shortened shocks as you wont be able to fit any stock length shocks koni's, bilstein or otherwise.

Bilstein sports are just fine with coilovers as long as you run moderate rates. I'm running 450/650 and the ride is stiff but not bouncy. I've been driving the car daily since april, not a hiccup.


Lastly, for those going back and forth on whether or not to go the conversion, JUST DO IT! It all makes sense once you take your old assembly apart and lay everything out in front of you. And don't cheap out on shocks, they are THE most important part of the setup.

[10-66kruk]

To be confirmed, but the 84-85 318i/Eta had the smaller inserts. Then it got to 51mm in 86. I suggest checking with www.RealOem.com

BTW I got your PM buddy.

Thanks Lee I will check.
I appreciate you providing the link didn't really know where to look on that one.
Cool ya I put my name down!

[Massive Lee]

To be confirmed, but the 84-85 318i/Eta had the smaller inserts. Then it got to 51mm in 86. I suggest checking with www.RealOem.com

BTW I got your PM buddy.

[10-66kruk]

which cars are the 45mm struts and 51mm?
I ordered coilovers but I need to figure out which size strut housing I need.
Car is a 85 e.
also ordered a set for a 89 is...
i tried searching couldn't find anything...

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

440/5xx. Not sure what the rears are anymore(long story).
Changing it to 550/626 soon with the short inserts.


If you're used to low and stiff, my original rates are totally DDable.
eg: girls don't complain.

haha ide want to be stiff. like 550/625 would be cool. but i also dont want to push it with the setup..

stiff isn't a problem. specially if im going lower, and stiffer is better with a female passanger

[ak-]

then ide probably do 500/600..what are you running on your daily?

440/5xx. Not sure what the rears are anymore(long story).
Changing it to 550/626 soon with the short inserts.


If you're used to low and stiff, my original rates are totally DDable.
eg: girls don't complain.

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

Nothing over 625lbs.

then ide probably do 500/600..what are you running on your daily?

[ak-]

That's what I'm thinking. If i decide to go with shortened koni's down the road, i dont want to have to recut, weld, measure, etc all over again

If you do end up going with shorts down the road, you will have to cut the tube to match the insert's length. If you don't, and just add many spacers under it to compensate height, you will be back in the same position as Bilstein Sports.