Ground Control install on an E30 M3...

[Sean]

I searched quite a bit, and never really found "clear" answers on this question, so I figured I'd start a thread.

I have a friend, actually Cale - postmaster here on R3v, and he is lookin at getting the full GC Kit for his E30 M3 (the one actually located at Ground Control's website: ( http://www.ground-control.com/ )

He was thinkin of havin a local place install it, since it would require welding and whatnot.

However, my question is, what IS involved in this install? If we were to send the front struts to Ground Control and have them do the welding for us (that would be $1549 I believe) - then, is all that's left is to slap the front strut housings back in, and do the rears (a cinch either way?)

Or, is there more to it than that?

I think we'll be looking at new shock mounts in the rear, I'm guessing that's a good choice?

I'm basically asking, overall, what is involved in the FULL GC Suspension setup DIRECTLY from GC - what needs to be done

AND, what would be the reccommended pieces to get in conjunction with this (what pieces would be reccommended to buy that aren't included already in the GC Package)


Any help is appreciated and I thank you all in advance! ;)

[modifiede30]

If you're using existing strut inserts, or aftermarket (not from GC), then its easy. Any mechanic can weld the bottom perches onto the housing, and cutting them off is easy, I did mine. Aside from this, its basically removing and installing the struts. Not sure if additional changes are necessary on the M3 but on a standard e30, its easy.

[bimmerphile]

The speed center can do all of that. He just needs to go up there and talk to Alfie and Rory.

[postmaster]

The speed center can do all of that. He just needs to go up there and talk to Alfie and Rory.

Sean votes for us to do it
Kris votes for the speed center

Kris any idea on labor costs?

[Rosica]

Everything is bolt in, except cutting off the spring perch and welding on the new collar. Also you can have the strut housing shortend for increased travel and remove some strut tower sheet metal for more camber/castor adjustment.

[modifiede30]

It's a really simple project. You'll spend much more time getting all the parts off the car than you will the cutting and welding on the strut. Don't waste the money on having someone else do - you can use this to get a nice set of camber plates.

[bimmerphile]

It's a really simple project. You'll spend much more time getting all the parts off the car than you will the cutting and welding on the strut. Don't waste the money on having someone else do - you can use this to get a nice set of camber plates.

None of us have a welder, nor do we know how to weld.


someone else is going to have to be involved at one point or another.


Cale, if you're interested, call the speed center and be like "Hey I have an E30 M3 and am going to pick up some GC's, would you weld the strut for me?

They had to do it with Alfie's since he's running a full GC setup, so they'll be familiar with what you're talking about. If they arent, then just ask to talk to Alfie.

[Sean]

It's a really simple project. You'll spend much more time getting all the parts off the car than you will the cutting and welding on the strut. Don't waste the money on having someone else do - you can use this to get a nice set of camber plates.

Sweet, that's what I figured.

And, I'm guessing this suspension would work just fine in a normal E30 too? :D (some day... )

So, we technically don't need to send the struts in to have GC weld them, we could have someone weld them there.

And, like Kris said, we can talk to the Speed Center about the welding, and do everything else ourselves. :D

[bimmerphile]

I don't understand why this thread was posted, and why you guys didn't just call me.

I could have told you that ;)

[Sean]

Yeah, I'm just seeing what everyone says, cause I wasn't positive what the job involved. ;)

[bimmerphile]

Yeah, I'm just seeing what everyone says, cause I wasn't positive what the job involved. ;)

Fair enough :)

[modifiede30]

Cutting the old perch off is pretty easy too. It may save a bit of money if that's done when you take it to the shop for welding. Once that's done, make sure you paint it so that it doesn't rust. When I did mine, I painted it and installed them wet since appearance wasn't a major concern. That way you don't loose time.

[postmaster]

if the Speed Center is going to cut off my perches and weld everything, it doesnt sound like that big of a job, and i'll have them corner weight my car too

so shouldn't i just have them do the whole thing or is there a lot more to it?
and i'm trying to have this done by May 22 for the next AutoX

[Bryson]

you don't HAVE to weld them....

[bimmerphile]

if the Speed Center is going to cut off my perches and weld everything, it doesnt sound like that big of a job, and i'll have them corner weight my car too

so shouldn't i just have them do the whole thing or is there a lot more to it?

Call them.

and i'm trying to have this done by May 22 for the next AutoX

eeeeeexxxccelllent :twisted: