Coilovers for the front? Yes,no?

[M Kube]

So I have a set of brand new IE3 springs unmounted and have seen pictures of them installed on a car. I'm currently running on stock suspension and I'm not really feelin' the "reverse rake" lol. Anyways, I'm thinking on parting with the front springs/shocks, installing the IE3 rears w/ bilstein sports and purchasing coilovers for the front for now at least. I plan on doing the back sometime in the future, but the funds are not up to par at the moment. I need to make a decision fast as I will be getting new wheels&tires 215/40/16 and I don't want to be disappointed once the wheels go on. I plan on doing autox sometime in the future so I'm not looking for anything that'll break anytime soon. And yes, she's a daily driver. Anybody know a company that sells coilovers for the front only? Thanks!

[M Kube]

Anybody??

[lifeiskaos]

Are you happy with the spring rates? If I were in your position, I'd probably see what I could do about thicker rear spring pads, then possibly get ground control camber plates. The camber plates will lower your front about 1"

I can't think of any specific company that lists a front conversion only.

[M Kube]

the springs aren't mounted on the car yet so i can't answer that part...the thing is i like the way the rear sits (from what i can see in pics) but that reverse rake just doesnt do it for me..i've heard mixed reviews about the 1" drop from g/c camber plates though. i'm thinking of asking g/c if they'll sell me the fronts only. has anybody else ever done something like this? thanks!

[N2MYE30]

^ Ive wondered about this too. Id be down for front c/o too.

If i were you, id just put the IE springs up front and see where you are at. Take the pads out of you stock setup and see if the rake is too much. Trial and error.

My sig is Billy sports with H&R sports up front with just the pads removed on stock springs. You are right though, reverse rake FTL. My rear sport springs would give me reverse rake.

[nando]

why would you just get front only? the rears are easy to install and it's not like a GC kit is expensive. $400 for a full set of springs/perches, any rate you want.

[N2MYE30]

why would you just get front only? the rears are easy to install and it's not like a GC kit is expensive. $400 for a full set of springs/perches, any rate you want.

I was thinking about the shorted struts, Koni, CP, and C/O for the front. So the $1600 GC kit minus the rear stuff.

I was thinking of just getting the GC C/O but Im not a welder and unsure how to cut the struts. I think I have seen that some people remove the stock perch but dont shorten the strut housing. If I can get away safely with just sliding the perch on the strut tube and still have ~65mm drop from stock w/o cutting, that is my path foward. Maybe ill hafta research more.

[nando]

you're better off cutting off the stock perch, and if you can, shortening the housing. the problem with merely dropping the springs onto the stock perch (which you can do) is it's harder to adjust them, and you don't gain more room for bigger tires (an advantage to smaller O.D. springs). And sticking to the stock length tube is OK, but if you have shorter inserts it's better to shorten the tubes for extra suspension travel (that means better ride quality at lower heights).

I'm not a welder either, I had a buddy who is a fantastic welder do mine for me. It's worth doing it right the first time.

the rear stuff is drop in, like I said it doesn't make any sense to do the fronts and not the rears. You would have to be extra careful with your front rates to make them work with whatever rear springs you happen to have.

[Jb325is]

Yeah I would go ahead and just get the whole GC kit.. Don't know what the rates are on the IE's but I imagine they are probably 2-300. I would be worried about bottoming out running super soft rates, spun all the way down on un-shortened housings, your travel will be pretty limited. Also, if you are worried about your 215/40's looking goofy, they most definitely will with un-shortened housings and no camber plates..

[M Kube]

Okay guys, so i've decided to go with the full g/c kit. question though..i've read up on quite a few threads and some say that these CO bolt right in and some say theyve shortened the struts and everything. i'm no welder either and wondering what i would have to do to make this kit work?..or do they sell the kit so that it bolts right in?

[rwh11385]

wondering if i can buy this kit from them and bolt them right in without having to do mod my stock housings or anything?

yes you can. just as nando said, or I've been running for years.

[M Kube]

yes you can. just as nando said, or I've been running for years.

ah i see... so the only difference with not shortening the stock housings are less suspension travel if they're turned all the way down and bad ride quality? thanks~!

[rwh11385]

ah i see... so the only difference with not shortening the stock housings are less suspension travel if they're turned all the way down and bad ride quality? thanks~!

the problem with merely dropping the springs onto the stock perch (which you can do) is it's harder to adjust them, and you don't gain more room for bigger tires (an advantage to smaller O.D. springs).

[M Kube]

ohhhh, thanks! ;)

[nando]

Okay guys, so i've decided to go with the full g/c kit. question though..i've read up on quite a few threads and some say that these CO bolt right in and some say theyve shortened the struts and everything. i'm no welder either and wondering what i would have to do to make this kit work?..or do they sell the kit so that it bolts right in?

call a buddy that can weld, drop off your struts and perches, pick them up the next day, paint and put on the car. at least, that's what I did. :p