Ground Controls and unmodified struts

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  • mach schnell
    E30 Enthusiast
    • Apr 2008
    • 1059

    #1

    Ground Controls and unmodified struts

    Can you install Ground Control basic coilovers (the springs and adjusters) without cutting your struts?

    If so, can you still get the car nice and low at the front?
  • Van Westervelt
    R3V OG
    • May 2006
    • 9365

    #2
    The only reason people cut their strut 'tubes' (not the actual strut 'inserts') is because GC's full kit comes with shorter bodies strut inserts. So you have to take up the slack.

    If you are just picking up their sleeve and spring kit, you dont need to shorten your tubes. You will want to cut off your spring perches though. And if you go too low without proper shorter bodied inserts, you will be bouncing off your bumpstops and blow your shocks pretty quick. That is IF you go really low etc.
    sigpic

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    • mach schnell
      E30 Enthusiast
      • Apr 2008
      • 1059

      #3
      Originally posted by Van Westervelt
      The only reason people cut their strut 'tubes' (not the actual strut 'inserts') is because GC's full kit comes with shorter bodies strut inserts. So you have to take up the slack.

      If you are just picking up their sleeve and spring kit, you dont need to shorten your tubes. You will want to cut off your spring perches though. And if you go too low without proper shorter bodied inserts, you will be bouncing off your bumpstops and blow your shocks pretty quick. That is IF you go really low etc.
      What about if you don't remove the spring perches? Can you still get low (I have Koni's) ?

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      • sarcasmkillsme
        Wrencher
        • Oct 2007
        • 255

        #4
        Originally posted by mach schnell
        What about if you don't remove the spring perches? Can you still get low (I have Koni's) ?
        Not at all. Higher than H&R race if you dont cut them off.

        Comment

        • rwh11385
          lance_entities
          • Oct 2003
          • 18403

          #5
          Originally posted by sarcasmkillsme
          Not at all. Higher than H&R race if you dont cut them off.
          You're dumb. 6 inch springs and camber plates can get you plenty low (too low to be practical).

          Comment

          • mach schnell
            E30 Enthusiast
            • Apr 2008
            • 1059

            #6
            Originally posted by rwh11385
            You're dumb. 6 inch springs and camber plates can get you plenty low (too low to be practical).
            What size springs come with the basic coilover kit?

            Comment

            • rwh11385
              lance_entities
              • Oct 2003
              • 18403

              #7
              Originally posted by mach schnell
              What size springs come with the basic coilover kit?
              6in. Only a few people opt for 7in.

              Camber plates are really where people screw up by not getting them, versus cutting off the spring perches. You don't lose that much adjustability by not cutting and easy to go back to a stock-type spring if needed.

              5.5" is the best bet for the back for a wide range of options, but 5" works as well.

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              • mach schnell
                E30 Enthusiast
                • Apr 2008
                • 1059

                #8
                I don't want to SLAM the car, but I want to get a nice minimal front gap on the fenders.

                I was thinking that I would use the Ireland street/track adjustable camber plates, or stock strut mounts. But it sounds like camber plates are the way to go.

                Comment

                • xwill112x
                  Θέλησα έναν τίτλο συνήθειας, απορροφώ για να είμ&#
                  • Jan 2009
                  • 4237

                  #9
                  h&r race/ie3's and bilsteins with drop hats will go that low^^
                  sigpic

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                  • Philo
                    Ich esse kleine Kinder
                    • Oct 2008
                    • 3334

                    #10
                    H&R race. Screw IE with their 4x4 front end.
                    -tim
                    Originally posted by Jordan
                    I like the stance
                    -Coining hip terms since 10/9/03

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                    • dinanm3atl
                      R3V OG
                      • Feb 2007
                      • 7305

                      #11
                      It will go pretty low with the conversion kit sitting on the stock perch(with the big 'wing' cut off/trimmed). As said too low to be practical.

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                      • DRTSRFR
                        E30 Mastermind
                        • May 2008
                        • 1836

                        #12
                        GC kit with stock struts all the way down with 6" springs...

                        Suspension tips here...
                        http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/album.php?albumid=757

                        sigpic

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                        • mach schnell
                          E30 Enthusiast
                          • Apr 2008
                          • 1059

                          #13
                          Originally posted by DRTSRFR
                          GC kit with stock struts all the way down with 6" springs...


                          So no changes to your perches? They look good!

                          Comment

                          • DRTSRFR
                            E30 Mastermind
                            • May 2008
                            • 1836

                            #14
                            ...just the basic kit.


                            Here it is now with the $1599 street kit and some Schnitzers. Can't say enough about the ride improvement...

                            Last edited by DRTSRFR; 03-29-2010, 07:10 AM.
                            Suspension tips here...
                            http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/album.php?albumid=757

                            sigpic

                            Comment

                            • rwh11385
                              lance_entities
                              • Oct 2003
                              • 18403

                              #15



                              Both these are at 23.5" ground to fender in front.



                              I could get the fender 23.5" off the ground with the strut tubes unhacked. This is half an inch lower than the diameter of a standard tire... so "gap" should be a non-issue if you run correct tires.

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