"Home made" coil-overs

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  • RobE30
    E30 Modder
    • Feb 2009
    • 959

    #1

    "Home made" coil-overs

    I'm sure there are other cheap SOBs on this site like me.... Have any of you put together your own coil over kits from any of the circle track catalogs etc? Does it work well? Or should I just hike up my skirt and buy the GC set? I have new Bilstein sports and do not want to shorten my housings (I want the adjustability and the option of changing spring rates , not huge drop). Thanks guys
    09 BMW 328xi touring 6spd
    05 Subaru Outback XT 5spd
    87 BMW 325is
    a few bicycles
  • Justin B
    Sikky Nar Nar
    • Mar 2005
    • 4273

    #2
    I've heard of some people using the cheap honda versions from ebay for like 50 bucks a set, but I dont know what model they used. Might be something to look into though.

    Comment

    • Snowmann
      E30 Addict
      • Jan 2004
      • 459

      #3
      I've looked into it, and honestly by the time you piece together a kit it ends up being about $20 less than GC's setup.


      PLUS you need to do some work to get the back to work and you also wont get the right rear spring off the shelf.

      I initially thought when I was looking at springs that the price was for a pair but most of the AFCO and or Hypercoil springs are sold individually - that would have been the only way the kit would end up being significantly cheaper.

      For me the $20 bucks to have a kit thats all from one manufacturer, no headaches in trying to get the rear setup to work correctly, and the correct rear spring is worth it.

      Comment

      • InfiniteDice
        Noobie
        • Nov 2010
        • 5

        #4
        This is true if you are American like Snowmann, and don't get the shaft at the border for fees and shipping and etc etc etc. I ordered a part from Zionsville once, 70$ part ended up costing me about 115$

        If you can peice it together local, do that. I'm seriously thinking about it. Plus if something isn't right it's a 15 minute drive to solve the problem.

        Comment

        • Philo
          Ich esse kleine Kinder
          • Oct 2008
          • 3334

          #5
          I've tallied the costs many times before. It is hard to beat the $400 GC conversion kit, and you really want to go with their kit for the springs. Consistent and selectable rates.

          The GC kit + the bilsteins you have should work just fine. Just make sure the spring rate is within the valve spec of the dampers, unless you want to get them re-valved.
          -tim
          Originally posted by Jordan
          I like the stance
          -Coining hip terms since 10/9/03

          Comment

          • Stephen
            Шлем ишака
            • Aug 2008
            • 10774

            #6
            Nonsense. Grab springs used (autoX guys change rates often, not hard to find) then use generic or civic sleeves. Cheap. Believe my setup was about 150$ (w/o shocks) Another spring option is the tanabe springs on more-japan.com, but the rates/lenghts arent always ideal for e30 application

            Comment

            • E30_(1st Musk)_
              R3VLimited
              • May 2009
              • 2008

              #7
              Originally posted by Stephen
              Nonsense. Grab springs used (autoX guys change rates often, not hard to find) then use generic or civic sleeves. Cheap. Believe my setup was about 150$ (w/o shocks) Another spring option is the tanabe springs on more-japan.com, but the rates/lenghts arent always ideal for e30 application
              i was talking to e30_fiend about this when he found out i bought my springs.
              what generic sleeves are you on? everyone tells me to pinch for the $400 gc kit. but ide rather get gc springs and cheaper sleeves
              ]

              Comment

              • Philo
                Ich esse kleine Kinder
                • Oct 2008
                • 3334

                #8
                Originally posted by Stephen
                Nonsense. Grab springs used (autoX guys change rates often, not hard to find) then use generic or civic sleeves. Cheap. Believe my setup was about 150$ (w/o shocks) Another spring option is the tanabe springs on more-japan.com, but the rates/lenghts arent always ideal for e30 application
                If you can find used GC springs that are exactly what you want, then go that route. I guess there just aren't many guys around here who run them, as I never see used sets.
                -tim
                Originally posted by Jordan
                I like the stance
                -Coining hip terms since 10/9/03

                Comment

                • Stephen
                  Шлем ишака
                  • Aug 2008
                  • 10774

                  #9
                  I used generic ones off a civic kit. i dont know which one exactly, but there is a pretty good chance theyre all the same lol

                  Comment

                  • E30_(1st Musk)_
                    R3VLimited
                    • May 2009
                    • 2008

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Stephen
                    I used generic ones off a civic kit. i dont know which one exactly, but there is a pretty good chance theyre all the same lol
                    good enough for me. if your held up ill probably end up doing the same and just buy individual springs
                    ]

                    Comment

                    • LivingLegend06
                      E30 Mastermind
                      • Dec 2006
                      • 1604

                      #11
                      I got a cheapo Cosmo coilover kit, adjustable perches and springs all for $200 + shipping.

                      well, I dunno if its my shocks(new bilstein sports) or these cheap chinese springs but its not nearly as nice as the GC setup I had.

                      Right now I'm trying to decide if i should:

                      1. Just deal with it.
                      2. Try some different spring rates.
                      3. Get some GC koni adjustable shocks.
                      4. Just buy the GC kit and be done with it.

                      Comment

                      • jpichu
                        Wrencher
                        • Aug 2010
                        • 266

                        #12
                        http://youtu.be/aOhYdZfY9QY
                        https://vimeo.com/40801938

                        Comment

                        • LivingLegend06
                          E30 Mastermind
                          • Dec 2006
                          • 1604

                          #13
                          Originally posted by jpichu
                          you either didn't read this thread or didn't read that one because the link you posted is in no way relevant to the current discussion.

                          Comment

                          • E30_(1st Musk)_
                            R3VLimited
                            • May 2009
                            • 2008

                            #14
                            Originally posted by LivingLegend06
                            I got a cheapo Cosmo coilover kit, adjustable perches and springs all for $200 + shipping.

                            well, I dunno if its my shocks(new bilstein sports) or these cheap chinese springs but its not nearly as nice as the GC setup I had.

                            Right now I'm trying to decide if i should:

                            1. Just deal with it.
                            2. Try some different spring rates.
                            3. Get some GC koni adjustable shocks.
                            4. Just buy the GC kit and be done with it.
                            well my plans were to just get the adjustable perches and use gc springs. in the end im going to use gc springs
                            ]

                            Comment

                            • e30t5
                              Noobie
                              • Nov 2010
                              • 32

                              #15


                              They have springs too, or look here...

                              Get fast, Free Standard Shipping on orders over Summit Racing Equipment from $109 -- no shipping, handling, or rural fees! Exclusions apply.

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