Need to differ the ride after a s52 swap

[WannaBe30]

I need some advice from the pros.

My s52 swap is pretty much done and after runnin it all weekend I am realizing that I need to stiffen up the ride

I'm sitting on h & r sports and stock shocks/struts.

I was thinking about getting some koni or bilsteins but not sure if this will solve my issues.

When I punch this thing the ass end squats like no other I love the power but when I'm hauling Down the road ass down and a little bouncy I can hear my big single exhaust scraping sometimes.

Please chime in with suggestions for more stiffness

The reason I'm asking is because I am hoping I can only upgrade to some nice adjustable shocks to solve the problem withou purchasing sprigs again springs are new.

[LJ851]

You need new springs. And shocks to match.

[franky2fingaz]

how's the sub-frame/RCA bushings?

[WannaBe30]

Bushings looked good but I'm sure they are old

The springs are brand new shocks who knows how old

[franky2fingaz]

I've always liked the results of getting 'stiffer' new bushings installed first more than swapping springs/shocks... does that make sense? it just becomes so more direct. Then replace the shocks/springs to well proven balanced setup.. rebound/compression settings take time to dial in and there's plenty on the net to research.. networking on the track is always good..

[matthugie]

Getting some new shocks/struts will help immensely. Billie sport/H&R combo is tried and true, you can't go wrong with it. That said, it also depends on your goals for the car. If it's a street oriented car just get some new shocks/struts and bushings and call it a day. If you want to race the car in the future you'd probably be better off just biting the bullet and going with a coilover setup.

[WannaBe30]

Great info poly bushings are on the list but I know the shocks will need to be replaced either way just wasn't sure if it would help the firmness

The goal of the car is to be a drift/track car on the weekends with some fun street driving a couple times a week

However selling my wife's car and hanging her my truck for now will mean I will be dailying this beast until I can find a good deal on an SUV like an x5

So coil overs will be later like a year tops

Good info

Frankt this might soud dumb but I need to ask

Are the control arm bushings and subframe bushings the same?
When u posted it not sure if you're talking about separate bushings I am familiar with the control arm bushings that are where the subframe connect

If I'm forgetting somethjng let me know

[haggardfab]

I have QA1 single adjustable rear shocks from a Camaro on the back of my (very) low vert and it made a HUGE diference of ride quality.. the car was slightly bouncy before and now It rides perfect, I can turn them down for long trips so its not like riding on cut springs and crank them up for when I wanna drive like a dickhead

[Roysneon]

Sport springs are kind of soft, either Koni or Bilstein dampers would be an improvement, whichever you can afford. Unless you're going to a full body coilovers like a KW or Ground Control system then you can always replace the shocks/struts then go with a different spring if you'd like.

[Wanganstyle]

Did you corner weight balance the car before the engine swap?

Our e30 race car was very scary to drive after the engine swap without the suspension adjusted for a heavier engine and more power.

Do you have a race suspension shop with corner balance service available locally? This would be the fastest way to regain the stock handling; to dial it in mathematically.

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[WannaBe30]

I haven't corner weighed it.

[AndrewBird]

Without adjustable sway bars, corner weighting isn't possible.

H&R sports are know to be soft. Going with H&R race would be a lot better. Then either Bilstein sports our koni's.

[Wanganstyle]

Without adjustable sway bars, corner weighting isn't possible.

H&R sports are know to be soft. Going with H&R race would be a lot better. Then either Bilstein sports our koni's.

Many full race e30's & e36's don't even run a rear sway (ours).

Springs come in lengths and different rates; one can purchase anything u like from many spring manufacturers.



Corner weighting is done by:

Placing 4 tires on scales (long acre racing makes a full kit one can buy)

Changing spring rates and lengths and height setting untill the car is as close to 50/50 weight:

Front / rear
Left / right.


(our car was setup professionally by edge motorworks)

With 24v and racing fuel cell in the trunk the car like ~400 lbs front and 600 lbs rear springs. Jumping curbs to pass is ok; there is enough travel (droop).

Ask your local shop to help setup for street use; ours is full race.


Sway bar does not do anything when the car is not turning; bar setting you change while on track shaking down the car.

Set Sway bar / tire pressure / tire compound choice between sessions while testing at track

[matthugie]

Wangan, you are comparing your race car to a car the OP is DDing. Apples and oranges. He doesn't need to play around with all kinds of rates and lengths to solve his current problem. Some slightly stiffer springs and some good shocks/struts and he'll be good to go. There is more that ideally should be done (like bushings), but your suggestion is overkill.

[Wanganstyle]

Same principle applies to a street car.

Why did bmw add 38 lbs of sound insulation to the 6 cylinder e30 trunk

Answer; weight balance.

I removed it and weighted it on a scale; 38 lbs of stuff in the trunk

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