I need a suspension plan

[Lair]

My 318 vert/M20 swap project is going really well. The drivetrain is done, and now I'm ready to tackle suspension.

I need direction.

I'm not looking for a 600 lb spring go kart, but I'd like to be able to have some fun in this car.

I have an E36 M3, and I like the way the car feels. I'm planning to pick up a Ground Control coilover kit and some sport springs. Can I hook the E30 up using stock E36 components? Will E36 M3 control arm bushings fit? What about subframe bushings and RCABs?

[rThor432]

I have an E36 M3, and I like the way the car feels. I'm planning to pick up a Ground Control coilover kit and some sport springs. Can I hook the E30 up using stock E36 components? Will E36 M3 control arm bushings fit? What about subframe bushings and RCABs?

My black car has the Koni top adjustable shocks/struts with Vogtland springs. It is perfect for a sporty street car, and it is also a good mild setup for the track. The ride height is perfect in my opinion. It also feels better than an E36 M3/4 with similar springs and shocks.

GC is good, and a lot of people here use their stuff, but I think that their stuff is better suited to track use. There is a lot of aluminum in their assemblies that seems like it would get very fatigued on the pot-hole filled roads around my area.

I have early ('95) E36 M3 control arm bushings in both of my E30's. They are amazing compared to stock. Much more solid, not to mention you get a decent increase in caster. The whole car will feel a lot more tight than it does on the stock E30 bushings. If you dont want the increased caster, go with the later bushings that arent offset.

The trailing arm bushings are completely different, and the subframe mounts probably are as well. Cant confirm that though, havent looked.

[xLibelle]

skip the expensive GC's and just do some H&R Race springs with Koni SA's. (proper bushings all around)

[Lair]

skip the expensive GC's and just do some H&R Race springs with Koni SA's. (proper bushings all around)

This is a convertible that I'm going to use as a daily driver for a while. I'm not looking for a bone-jarring, track-ready ride. I just want a car that's firm enough to do what I want it to do when I turn the wheel. I'm too old for a bonecrusher DD. I've been down that road already.

I will be building an e30 track rat after I finish my house, but this vert is just a cruiser.

So the later M3 front CABs wil fit the e30 lollipops?

[twothrees]

Lair,

I have an 88 Cabrio. My set up is: H&R Sport Cabrio specific springs, bilstein sports and I used the E30 M3cab's. The look and ride height is perfect. It is stiff, but compliant and soaks up most of the uneven stuff well.

Doug

[Hallen]

The stiff ride is going to be mostly a function of the shocks and struts, not the springs.

H&R "Race" springs are a brand name, not really a true race spring (although they are used in Spec E30). They are just an aggressive street spring. The combination of Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R Race springs is a pretty stiff combination. The overall body roll is low. The car is very responsive and the setup does help correct some (but not all) of the inherent understeer.

It is hard to tell in my car because I have very stiff urethane bushings all around, but the ride is not awful. It is a bit more harsh than my E46 on Bilstein sports and H&R Sport Springs. You will feel the bumps in either car though.

If you don't want to really feel the bumps but still want a nice handling car, go with the Koni adjustables. That should give you a range of settings to try for best comfort and driveability. They might work well with the H&R race springs which will give you a lower stance too.

[Lair]

Lair,

I have an 88 Cabrio. My set up is: H&R Sport Cabrio specific springs, bilstein sports and I used the E30 M3cab's. The look and ride height is perfect. It is stiff, but compliant and soaks up most of the uneven stuff well.

Doug

Do you have any side pics you can post?

The last time I bought springs for an E30 was 15 years ago. They were H & R, but I think they only offered one spring rate back then.

[Lair]

The stiff ride is going to be mostly a function of the shocks and struts, not the springs.

H&R "Race" springs are a brand name, not really a true race spring (although they are used in Spec E30). They are just an aggressive street spring. The combination of Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R Race springs is a pretty stiff combination. The overall body roll is low. The car is very responsive and the setup does help correct some (but not all) of the inherent understeer.

It is hard to tell in my car because I have very stiff urethane bushings all around, but the ride is not awful. It is a bit more harsh than my E46 on Bilstein sports and H&R Sport Springs. You will feel the bumps in either car though.

If you don't want to really feel the bumps but still want a nice handling car, go with the Koni adjustables. That should give you a range of settings to try for best comfort and driveability. They might work well with the H&R race springs which will give you a lower stance too.

I'm thinking about going with OEM Sachs shocks and sport springs. I'd rather be too soft than harsh.

[z31maniac]

T.C. Kline.

[rThor432]

I'm thinking about going with OEM Sachs shocks and sport springs. I'd rather be too soft than harsh.

OEM shocks will wear out prematurely if you use them with lowering springs. Just get Bilsteins, they are perfect for the street. My dd E30 with Bilstein Sport shocks and H&R sport springs is extremely comfortable. It's a great setup for the street, but still drives well.

Yes, E36 M3 control arm bushings work in the factory E30 "lollipops".

[twothrees]

[quote=Lair;1062693]Do you have any side pics you can post?

The wheels are 16x8 for reference.