Solved

[Nick's e30]

As title states. What is the difference in length between these 2 shock inserts? (the longer part)
Thanks all.

[mr.vang]

ix insert are shorter

[ak-]

3"

[e30leigh]

sssooooo, they would suit lowerd cars is you sat a well made 3" spacer under the shock?

[e46s54dr]

sssooooo, they would suit lowerd cars is you sat a well made 3" spacer under the shock?

Seems to me that throwing in an ix strut with a 3 inch spacer will pretty much be the same as a regular strut in terms of travel.

The length of the housing is actually what limits the stroke so Id be more effective if you were to shorten your strut housings an inch or two and throw in the corresponding spacer. That will increase your stroke.

[MR 325]

sssooooo, they would suit lowerd cars is you sat a well made 3" spacer under the shock?

What's the point then? The regular E30 Bilstein Sports are cheaper.

People use the iX inserts with modified (shortened) strut housings.

[mr.vang]

Can anyone else confirm that it is exactly 3''? If so, I'll machine a spacer at work today.
Nick

it doesn't work that way for ix insert. you will have to shorten the strut housing. if you want spacer for the insert, make it 2.5 since the insert nut will need space to screw it in.

[einstein57]

You will have ZERO benefit if you don't section your strut tube. Don't waste your time or money if you don't have plans in hacking at least an 1" out of your tubes.

[e46s54dr]

Youre not quite understanding the concept. If you put the spacer on top of the shock and below the locking nut that'd be even less shock stroke. Think of it as a 3 inch steel bump stop.

A lowered car will usually have 5-6 inches of compression and rebound from its ride height max. In our e30s case, its more like 3-4 inches. Now if you put the spacer on top, you will shorten the piston length that is exposed through the housing. That fact paired with the already shortened ix insert will leave you with pretty much no travel. I doubt you'll even be able to get a spring in between the spring perch and top hat.

[e46s54dr]

Simply, you want the most downward travel you can get, not the least.

[MR 325]

It kind of makes sense now...I think I'm going to just find the correct shocks.

Didn't I already suggest that?

[ohthejosh]

funny thread but good info still came out of this thread.

[E30_fiend]

This is the difference between a stock length bilstein sport on the left and a iX bilstein HD on the right.



I dont have a picture of this because I was alone but when I fully compressed the stock length shock, It was about a 1/2" shorter than the fully extended iX bilstein. That just goes to show you are gaining HUGE amounts of travel with a shortened housing and an iX insert. You will drive your frame into the ground and STILL have strut travel.

[LJ851]

That just goes to show you are gaining HUGE amounts of travel with a shortened housing and an iX insert. You will drive your oil pan into the ground and STILL have strut travel.

Fixed.





Oh, and thanks for that pic.

[E30_fiend]

Lolol