Coilover time

[London]

So I've grown tired of my current billy sport/h&r sport setup and have decided that I want some ground control.

My question is this, are there any drawbacks for using their "coilover conversion" pack? I know I'll have to do some work to my front strut housings in order for them to work but otherwise are there any other drawbacks for going that route? I just feel spending 1500 when I'm already on perfectly good billy sports is a bit silly. Any advice here?

Also what spring rate should I go with? I'm not looking for a track car here. My car will primarily be daily driven but I do like to tear around the backroads and canyons where I live. And honestly I know absolutely nothing about spring rates

Fill me with your knowledge dammit!

[giantkeeper]

My experience:

I have the GC coilover conversion kit 450/700 and had my billie sports re-valved to "match". I also have shortened bump stops. I did not shorten my housings as I do not run my cars slammed.

I think the car is a million times better in the handling department over the standard billie sports and IE3 springs I was running before.

I did add the GC touring camber plates and also welded the end link mounts on my struts.

All said and done I believe I paid just under $1k for my setup.

[mr.vang]

i believe if your not slammed and same height ride as your previous HR, you can get away without shorten the housing.

[London]

Hmmm ok. Sounds good. I kinda wanna have the option of slamming my car if I wanted. Roads are nice where I'll be living next
Month :D

Giant keeper, could you elaborate a little more as to what you mean by matched? I had mine All rebuilt about two months ago with just standard rates... Is that going to be a problem? I'm still learning suspension shit

[giantkeeper]

Hmmm ok. Sounds good. I kinda wanna have the option of slamming my car if I wanted. Roads are nice where I'll be living next
Month :D

Giant keeper, could you elaborate a little more as to what you mean by matched? I had mine All rebuilt about two months ago with just standard rates... Is that going to be a problem? I'm still learning suspension shit

Depends on what spring rate you run. As far as Billie matching exactly, it won't happen unfortunately. They will try and do the best they can.

If you run the stock sport valving and run springs that are too stiff the car will ride like shit.

Also, if you are going to shorten your housings, your current billies are useless anyhow...IIRC

[lambo]

Giant keeper, could you elaborate a little more as to what you mean by matched? I had mine All rebuilt about two months ago with just standard rates... Is that going to be a problem? I'm still learning suspension shit

With suspension, the shock is supposed to dampen the rebound. You want to match the shocks valving to the spring rate or else the shock won't be able to dampen the spring's rebound quick enough thus giving a bouncy ride.

I hope I used the correct terminology.

[London]

Ok that makes more sense. Will turn into a Honda... No gusta. So Giant, would you say those spring rates worked well for you? Would be comfortable to daily around in? Sadly when I sent my shocks in for rebuild it took a couple months to get em back.. Wasn't thrilled since they originally quoted me two weeks not two and half months.

I understand the need to revalve but why would they be useless? They are the shocks that GC suggests using after all

[giantkeeper]

Ok that makes more sense. Will turn into a Honda... No gusta. So Giant, would you say those spring rates worked well for you? Would be comfortable to daily around in? Sadly when I sent my shocks in for rebuild it took a couple months to get em back.. Wasn't thrilled since they originally quoted me two weeks not two and half months.

I understand the need to revalve but why would they be useless? They are the shocks that GC suggests using after all

Depends on the rest of your setup. I would say that if all I had was that suspension setup it probably would not be horrible. But with all the poly and everything else on my car, it's a bit much for most people.

I love it though, personally :)

[acolella76]

450/700 is a bit steep IMO. The difference between the two should be ~125% of each other from what I've been able to tell.

450/550 feels superb in an E30, and it is within the limits of the bilstein sports' valving. I autocrossed an E30 with bilstein sports and 350/500 and it felt great as well.

[e30leigh]

i run 440f 675r gc coils. and even though my shocks are factory and are old and shit. they arent too bad. but give it time when i get some shortner shocks in and have them matched to the spring rates itll make a world of difference

[London]

Depends on the rest of your setup.

I take it you mean for ride quality yeah??

Otherwise my billy sports with a revalve are compatible yes?

[immajackuup]

My experience:

I have the GC coilover conversion kit 450/700 and had my billie sports re-valved to "match". I also have shortened bump stops. I did not shorten my housings as I do not run my cars slammed.

I think the car is a million times better in the handling department over the standard billie sports and IE3 springs I was running before.

I did add the GC touring camber plates and also welded the end link mounts on my struts.

All said and done I believe I paid just under $1k for my setup.

450/700 is good or 500/700 is what I have and i DD it.

[London]

450/700 is good or 500/700 is what I have and i DD it.

Hmmm alright. Interesting. I'm pretty sure I'd be fine with a nice firm ride but would it still be comfortable to drive a pretty girl around in without making her insist on driving her car ;)

[London]

Went and read the whole coil DIY thread... It looks to me that currently even if I go with the conversion kit, to get what I want I'm going to have to spend around a grand and be out of a car for a while...

Maybe just save up and get the full kit?? Thats plug and play is it not?