Early model E30 lowest lowering rear springs???

[It's Soda Not Pop]

With all this trouble it still might be beneficial for you to save up and buy a full set of coilovers. You can have the front strut tube and knuckle welded and powder coated when you put in the order. CATuned does this service and GC.
I know money is tight at times and I can understand doing what you can with what you have. But sometimes that ends costing more. This has happened to me several times. Trying to save a dollar I end spending 5.

[iXguido]

So I double checked my rear springs because I wasn't sure I had 4inch rears. Turns out mine are 5.5inch rear springs. I took a pic of the rear spring and where my adjuster is set. Looks like I could drop maybe .5inch at the max in the rear with the 5.5inch springs.





Regarding the fronts, I'd be cautious shortening the struts right away. I am using ix Konis in the front because I wanted to lower the car and retain maximum suspension travel. I shortened the struts 2inch and when I put everything together, the car was slammed with the adjusters all the way at the top. The pic below is as high as the car would go in the front with the struts 2inch shorter and the adjusters at max height. I ended up having to cut the struts again and weld back in the 2inch piece just to get back some height. At first I thought I could just buy longer springs, but the Konis were fully extended with the 6inch springs so that did not work.

Also you are going to want to get a skid plate in the front to protect your oilpan

[DAN-E30]

So I double checked my rear springs because I wasn't sure I had 4inch rears. Turns out mine are 5.5inch rear springs. I took a pic of the rear spring and where my adjuster is set. Looks like I could drop maybe .5inch at the max in the rear with the 5.5inch springs.





Regarding the fronts, I'd be cautious shortening the struts right away. I am using ix Konis in the front because I wanted to lower the car and retain maximum suspension travel. I shortened the struts 2inch and when I put everything together, the car was slammed with the adjusters all the way at the top. The pic below is as high as the car would go in the front with the struts 2inch shorter and the adjusters at max height. I ended up having to cut the struts again and weld back in the 2inch piece just to get back some height. At first I thought I could just buy longer springs, but the Konis were fully extended with the 6inch springs so that did not work.

Also you are going to want to get a skid plate in the front to protect your oilpan

thank you for the heads up i appreciate it.

Honestly with all this trouble to mismatch the springs with the right struts/shocks, cutting not cutting the strut housing and the list goes on...i feel like im leaning towards a full set of coilovers now such as Megan racing or BC racing. It's Soda Not Pop has a point

[moatilliatta]

Normally housings are cut 1 inch and damper sleeved up 1 inch.

[moatilliatta]

I wouldn't focus on tucking. Id just try and keep your front control arms parallel to the ground and set the back about the same fender gap. It'll ride and handle better. FK stance.

[iXguido]

thank you for the heads up i appreciate it.

Honestly with all this trouble to mismatch the springs with the right struts/shocks, cutting not cutting the strut housing and the list goes on...i feel like im leaning towards a full set of coilovers now such as Megan racing or BC racing. It's Soda Not Pop has a point

No worries. I think you should have enough info from this thread to decide what is best for you. If you're just trying to get the rear height figured out, the GC kit is probably your best bet. If you're still looking at the full front and rear setup, then coilovers are the easy choice if you have the money.

Normally housings are cut 1 inch and damper sleeved up 1 inch.

I had a spacer under the damper so that it was right up to the retaining nut. 1 inch would probably be just about perfect to retain max travel and my desired ride height.

[Northern]

Can confirm 1" shortening plus spacer works well.
iX Koni Sport works well for 450lb/in spring up front.
If using a higher front spring rate, you might consider Koni 8610-1437-RACE over the iX. Dimensions are nearly identical.