Ground Control install on an E30 M3...

[Sean]

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

Find out the cost, and we can work from there.

[modifiede30]

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

Are you saying that they can just rest on the old welds after you cut off the perch? Sounds a bit risky - especially at track speeds.

[Bill 84 318i]

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

Are you saying that they can just rest on the old welds after you cut off the perch? Sounds a bit risky - especially at track speeds.

For how much it costs, you'd be crazy to not weld them. I got mine cut/welded for $60.

It's not risky at all, but you lose a lot (I'd say at least an inch) of adjustment (if you don't cut off the old perch). Plus you lose a little unsprung weight your strut will be all pretty-like. As for just sitting it (if you do cut off the perch), I would never do it for peace of mind (it's a halfass job), but I'd be semi-comfortable with it. The collar is nice tight fit on the strut, plus you never weld it to the strut anyway - just the GC perch.

[postmaster]

Hey Kris im going to go by the Speed Center Tomorrow

[Bryson]

mine's not welded and i've had no problems, i've held off because i'm going to get konis and chop part of the strut out. Honestly, I don't see the downside to not welding the perches, though I could weld them myself... they're always under tension so they couldn't lift and come back down hard. That being said mine will be welded down with konis

[bimmerphile]

Hey Kris im going to go by the Speed Center Tomorrow

ring me with what you find out.

[Rosica]

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

Are you saying that they can just rest on the old welds after you cut off the perch? Sounds a bit risky - especially at track speeds.

My car has gone 60k+ miles using the stock perches and 450 springs

[modifiede30]

My car has gone 60k+ miles using the stock perches and 450 springs

I don't think that there would be any problems if the original perches are left on the struts, but it originally sounded like the perches had been removed and the new ones were just resting on the old welds.

[Rosica]

My car has gone 60k+ miles using the stock perches and 450 springs

I don't think that there would be any problems if the original perches are left on the struts, but it originally sounded like the perches had been removed and the new ones were just resting on the old welds.

You can cut most of the stock perch off and leave just the base to rest the GC collar on. If your going to go through the work of welding on the GC perch you might as well shortent he housing also.

[Bill 84 318i]

My car has gone 60k+ miles using the stock perches and 450 springs

I don't think that there would be any problems if the original perches are left on the struts, but it originally sounded like the perches had been removed and the new ones were just resting on the old welds.

You can cut most of the stock perch off and leave just the base to rest the GC collar on. If your going to go through the work of welding on the GC perch you might as well shortent he housing also.

Agreed. I think it's dumb to even go low with GC without shortening the housings. It's the only way to go.

Unless there are some sort of classing restrictions.

[rwh11385]

what's involved on the rear again?

how is it put on the trailing arm exactly. welded or not? I have no idea what the stock trailing arm looks like (unless i go jack up my eta and look...)

i need to swap rear collars

[e9nine]

Have you ever worked on your car before?

I don't understand the question you're asking exactly. The e30m3 rear vs non e30m3 rear for a GC install is the same. The threaded collar just sits on the trailing arm. It can be a PITA to get it out though.

If you have access to you red car, simply jack up the pass. side safely and take a look at it if the stated message above doesn't answer your question.

You will have your answer in less than 10 mins.

Good luck

Edit: Attached a pic. HTH

[808BMW]

Have you ever worked on your car before?

:rofl:

Yeah, there's not much to it.

[rwh11385]

yeah, i found the answer (just sits on a "nub"). but if I checked the eta, or even had time for that today, i wouldn't be sure if the GC sleeve just sat on it or what.


the red one came with the GC's, so I wasn't sure whether they plopped on or what for sure. and was looking for the installation instructions, etc. now i know for sure, thanks

[Dave]

why you swapping collars Robert?