How low is too low in the front? (shock travel Q)

[nando]

What rates are you on right now? I think alot of people go overboard on rates for street duty. At my height im using 300# (with billies) and i dont have issues with body roll, bottoming out etc. I do realize Koni's behave a little differently though.

I disagree. I think people tend to go too soft, with the illusion that it'll ride significantly better. When it's actually the shocks that have the biggest effect on ride quality, and at some point you're so soft/low that you bottom out a lot which is not going to feel very nice.

[91 318is]

What rates are you on right now? I think alot of people go overboard on rates for street duty. At my height im using 300# (with billies) and i dont have issues with body roll, bottoming out etc. I do realize Koni's behave a little differently though.

I honestly can't remember. I researched on here what the popular rate was, and then asked Bimmerworld and I ended up going with that they recommended. I know both spring rates were lower then what I've read on here. Popular rates seem to be 675# in the front, 350# in the rear, does that sound right? I think mine are #450 in the front and #350 in the rear.

[91 318is]

I need to look at the springs and see what they are I guess before I order my new rates.

[sector6]

in

[e30guydownunder]

With a 450 in the front you should be running somewhere around 600-750lbs in the rear to try and maintain a nice balance. Does your car understeer everywhere? I had 300/300 in my track car initially and could not turn the thing. I'm running 300/450 and the balance is sweet.

N.B. Our race tracks have big bumps in them....probably worse than most of your roads over there :(

[91 318is]

With a 450 in the front you should be running somewhere around 600-750lbs in the rear to try and maintain a nice balance. Does your car understeer everywhere? I had 300/300 in my track car initially and could not turn the thing. I'm running 300/450 and the balance is sweet.

N.B. Our race tracks have big bumps in them....probably worse than most of your roads over there :(

Is that 450 in the front and 300 in the rear? That actually sounds about right.

I might be able to find the receipt with the spring rates, if not, I gotta jack up the car and look.

But that sounds pretty close. Is that considered soft?

[nando]

Is that 450 in the front and 300 in the rear? That actually sounds about right.

I might be able to find the receipt with the spring rates, if not, I gotta jack up the car and look.

But that sounds pretty close. Is that considered soft?

are you including the trailing arm ratio? because you don't want a 450f/300r on an E30.

[e30guydownunder]

300F 450R, this is what most consider a soft setup. Keep in mind I only have a lil M42 up the front.

[E30SPDFRK]

Yeah you've got your rates backwards.

[91 318is]

Yeah you've got your rates backwards.

I may have, I honestly can't remember. I'm gonna have to look under the car today or tomorrow and get the rates. I'll let you guys know what I find.

[Stephen]

I disagree. I think people tend to go too soft, with the illusion that it'll ride significantly better. When it's actually the shocks that have the biggest effect on ride quality, and at some point you're so soft/low that you bottom out a lot which is not going to feel very nice.

Possibly. But with my setup, (300f/500r with billys) i only bottom out on potholes and railroad tracks. Now, i do realize that konis dont dampen the same, that they are less "stiff" initially, and so 300# with billys will probably feel stiffer than 300# w/ konis.

(also, i have cut my bumpstops, so there is more travel to go around)

[White325is]

I ran 650 front 750 rear and I loved it. But I also have a thick set of sways..

[91 318is]

I ran 650 front 750 rear and I loved it. But I also have a thick set of sways..

Damn, and it rode pretty decent?

[White325is]

Yeah, rides great. I sold them to erict and he loves them. He is a very picky person when it comes to suspension too..

[red911turbo]

I tried to buy a set of koni adjustables from GC but they didnt want to sell them to me with out selling them as one of there whole suspension setups.
Weird how its the same thing they told Jordan.

The ones I got are Koni 8610 1437 race

Which strut housing gland nut do you use with these? Do you have an idea of how much of a spacer would be need under the insert with a 2" shortened housing?

Cheers,
Chris