front 5 lug strut options

[RickSloan]

i searched around and didn't seem to find what i was looking for.

i'm about to do my front 5 lug swap and i don't want to cut up brand new billies to stay as low as i am now on my coils.

i found that you can get e36 strut housings and remove the inserts. Can i buy shortened struts to place inside these housings? I can get the housings no problem but its the inserts i can't seem to track down.

anyone tried this or know what i can do?

TIA

[Aptyp]

e36 Koni inserts... GC will also sell you 13" Housing inserts that are "Corrado"

[RickSloan]

thank you!

thats what i thought, ok now let me ask you where is the best place to go? I'm not used to buying e36 stuff and when i do i go through work which is bimmerparts.com

now where should i go for the koni's? their website, the USA part was not working on my end i dont know whats wrong.

and for GC is it best to just call GC?

i know i'm asking you to spoon feed me but i want to be sure, and your write up has gotten me thru most of this and i thank you for that

[Hellabad]

e36 Koni inserts... GC will also sell you 13" Housing inserts that are "Corrado"

The GC struts never were Corrado, by the way. It is just a coincidence that some of the part number used to be the same. The new number is "1547" which doesnt apply to anything but GC so there is no longer any confusion.

I have posted the story a few times, here is a link.

[Hellabad]

e36 Koni inserts... GC will also sell you 13" Housing inserts that are "Corrado"

The GC struts never were Corrado, by the way. It is just a coincidence that some of the part number used to be the same. The new number is "1547" which doesnt apply to anything but GC so there is no longer any confusion.

I have posted the story a few times, here is a link.

edit cant find link, will keep looking

[RickSloan]

thank you, now at least i can call GC with that number and get a price

[Aptyp]

that's why I put Corrado in parentheses... man, you're touchy-feely.

Part number confusion is that Bilstein sells that same strut insert in many variations: Camaro, Corrado, e30 IX and etc. Bilstein also gladly modifies and rebuilds struts for other companies, that then claim them as their own.

I am still driving on 325IX HD Bilsteins. Through AutoZone they were around $80 per side.

[RickSloan]

and they will bolt into the bottom of the e36 housings?

[Hellabad]

that's why I put Corrado in parentheses... man, you're touchy-feely.

You're right. Thanks for reminding me this is not Bfc.


Jay GC

[Aptyp]

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=139412

the only ones that bolt down are Koni

[RickSloan]

thank you for that link man! i'm going to call Koni today and talk to them about prices for inserts that will bolt in, and if thats doesn't work out right then i will just be cutting and welding on saturday.

you are a wealth of information, thank you

[RickSloan]

called koni and they said they do not make any inserts for e36 strut housings...

if i use your above link, and the shortened inserts, can i negate the spacer to mount the insert lower and have more travel? cause i would love more travel and it seems that would work the way you have it explained.

[Bimmerman325i]

Call GC. Ask them, ask for Jay (Hellabad). They know E30 suspensions better than anyone, and can help you design a suspension around your needs and budget. If you ask, they'd present the pros/cons of each option too.

Seriously, call them instead of asking the internet for advice since they do exactly this.

Also, they sell a E36-on-E30 bastard 5lug coilover that corrects the bad steering geometry from the 5lug swap. I'd get that.

[RickSloan]

I already have m3 control arms and THR offset CAB

I ordered IX strut inserts and will cut and weld everything this weekend. If i hadn't already gotten everything i would have talked to Jay but i think as i sit now my set up will be just fine.

[White325is]

When I did my buddys 5 lug swap I used e36 bottom struts and e30 top struts. Cut both in half and welded together. I was then able to use the e30 inserts like bilie sports or if you want to make the housings smaller you can use the koni inserts.
The e36 and e30 housings both use 51mm. So it works out great in the end.