IE3, H&R race, or GC coilovers...?

[AutoXinE30]

My suspension is toast. I have already ordered Konis for the E30. I do drive the car to work a few times a week (dirt road, so I have the Blazer for muddy/rainy days) and my family does ride in the car around town every so often. I plan to take the car to autocross every chance I get but doubt I will ever take the car to the track. (though it would be nice).

I also have a set of 16x7.5 ET20 Borbet Type A's headed to the door so I am agonizing over spring choice...

Apparently both H&R and the IE3s have the same 315/570 springs rates and when coupled with 22/19 sways they handle quite well while still being forgiving on the street so I figure I would likely order the GCs with a similar rate... One + to the GCs would be the availability of higher spring rates should I decide 315/570 isn't quit enough.

Question is should I order IE3s, H&R races and be done with it, or because of the Borbet's go ahead and shell out for the GC adjust-ability ... I can't decide :(

[dinanm3atl]

Depends. Looks wise the GCs are going to be better. Both the IE3 and Race will leave some wheel gap in the front. Quite a bit actually. The ride/handling of the IE3s are pretty nice. I am in process of converting to GC.

[psyber_0ptix]

personally i'd say get the H&R/IE3 as they should be fine for what you intend to use it for. The option is really nice to update/upgrade your springrates but realistically, how often will you be changing your setup? The H&R+billy sports are spec E30 and are a very very popular choice (for reason...). Paired with Koni and it would be a great setup

If you decide you want stiffer and that added bling. Then just sell me the H&R/IE3 :)

[Danny]

GC is the way to go. No question.

[e30:)]

agreed. GC's... you know if you get anything else your going to want more low and not have it

[gearheadE30]

GCs all the way. Adjustable and you can tune the rates to your liking. Springs are pretty cheap. They aren't a ton more than H&R races since you already have the inserts, and the benefits are definitely worth it.

[AutoXinE30]

Yeah, I keep coming back to the adjustability of the GCs... Guess that's decided then.

Thanks guys.

[reelizmpro]

Okay I will play...since everyone is on the GC bandwagon on streetcars. I must be old school but I feel if you don't race...you don't need it. Cost is almost the same but the GC's will cost you more if you cut and weld the perches in front, not to mention the camber plates you'll have to get as well. GC's are made for the track. They use generic linear Eibach springs with fixed rates. Yeah they are height adjustable (you really play with the height that much or just drop it where u want it and leave it?) Good for corner balancing though (do you care?). Another thing I noticed about GC's is clunks/noises and the rear height jacks cutting into the trailing arms. 2.5ID springs used to unseat themselves (move around) in the rear. I think they've since fixed this issue with barrel springs.

H&R Race are progressive rate springs for the street/track. Best of both worlds in my opinion. No need to cut and weld anything or spend extra on camber plates. The front wheel gap is rectified by removing the front spring pads or cutting dead coils off the top. Really not a big deal.

You'll be happy either way.

[F34R]

GC is the way to go. No question.

They are awemazing, plus you can pick out your rates. I am in love with my suspension. I have the Bilstein sports, I think they are better then the koni.

[Philo]

They are awemazing, plus you can pick out your rates. I am in love with my suspension. I have the Bilstein sports, I think they are better then the koni.

If you get the valving/spring rate matched up and have enough strut travel, the billies are hard to beat. Monotube>twin tube.

[ck_taft325is]

It really comes down to what you're doing. As "reelizmpro" so pointed out. I was bouncing back and forth with getting GC's when my car already had Sport Billies/H&R Race w/15mm drop hats, no spring pads, etc... I'm not going to track it. I just enjoy lonely twisties. I'm not a race car, so I really shouldn't pretend to be one ;)

Now if you want stance and you don't want to drive your car all the time, GC's slammed on revalved Koni's, camber plates, etc, etc. Get's the look you're going for but not always practical. I know, I know... there's guys out there that drive their slammed, mad flush/tyte whatever you call it everyday. Well, they must be blessed with nicer roads than I have or I just don't have a fat enough ass. H&R Race/Sport Billie's are as stiff as I'd want to go for street driving. Driveways, speed bumps and even small'ish pot holes scrape all the time as is.

[AutoXinE30]

Went with the GC/Konis and TCK rear strut mounts. Went without the camber plates but, I think I'm gonna end up getting them in the long run... 375f 600r.

I'll post pics when I get the car evened out. For some reason the drivers side sits a 1/2 in higher when the adjusters are at the same position... Gotta figure that out first... And I think I wanna order 5in 375lb springs for the front....