Drifting: H&R Springs vs. Billy Sport Shocks

[betheclient]

For a drift setup, if you could only upgrade to H&R springs OR Bilstein Sport Shocks (from stock), which would you get?

Currently, the 325e has:
-LSD
-Dinan chip
-post-cat straight pipe
--short shifter from E36 M3

Thanks.

[Liquidity]

Springs. Most definitely springs. Better plan to replace the shocks very soon though.

[betheclient]

Thanks for the guidance. Since all that work that goes into replacing springs also allows for replacing shocks, I'm considering these two "value" setups:

1) 4 H&R Race springs + 4 Stagg shocks = $440
-am concerned whether the Stagg shocks could withstand the large drop of the H&R Race springs

2) 4 H&R Race springs + keep 4 OEM shocks = $370
-limit drop to 1.5" to avoid destroying OEM shocks

3) 4 Stagg springs + 4 Stagg shocks = $320
-mixed reviews across several forums (consensus seems to be good stiffness but questionable durability)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/121289175110?lpid=82

Any other "value" setup ideas guys?

[Liquidity]

Just get the H&R springs now and wait til you have money for Bilsteins. Stagg is a no-name brand. H&R is a top brand. The two aren't comparable. And if you heard "mixed reviews" on H&R then they clearly are fucking morons. Stay off the honda forums. You're driving a BMW now.

[betheclient]

On the brand thing, a lot of people automatically hate on "no-name" brands or eBay brands, associating those with Honda ownership (if you're wondering, my other cars are a Prelude and a E39 M5).

In reality, there's 2 types of "no-name" brands - for example, look at the PC market post-Y2K:
1) the FAIL no-names that never made it (e.g. eMachines, Micron)
2) the WIN no-name brands (e.g. ASUS, SAGER)

Like any good investor, we aim to buy the good "no-name" brand before it gets famous and overpriced. That's why a lot of us here bought JimC rather than the Dinan chip for the ETA.

If Stagg is poor quality then by all means I'll get the H&R, but if Stagg is good quality but just unheard of then I'll lean towards the proverbial underdog.

[betheclient]

I understand your good intentions though, and appreciate the advice.

i

[efficient]

For drifting you want coils not springs

[Best_name_available]

for 440 get the gc sleeves and then buy some used billy sports in a couple months

[Liquidity]

For drifting you want coils not springs

Coils? You mean coilovers? What's that gonna accomplish? The car just needs to be lower and stiffer - "coils" doesn't automatically achieve that, especially if you buy cheap "coils" that have a shit spring rate. And without being able to corner-balance your car properly, you're just gonna end up with an unpredictable car. You don't need "coils" "bro" and just throwing parts at the car isn't going to accomplish anything.

[betheclient]

I read a few articles earlier on the merits of coilovers vs shock+spring for drifting:
1) http://www.aptuned.com/blog/coilover...ts-better.html
2) http://www.redline360.com/garage/how...he-basic-guide

Seems both camps have some decent points:

http://www.drifting.com/forums/tech-discussion-forum/4377-are-coilovers-really-a-must-on-a-drift-car.html

[Liquidity]

You're driving a 325e, you're not in FD.

[betheclient]

Why should not being a professional drifter impede my effort to learn about the sport, or mod my car? If we all followed that logic, then this website wouldn't exist.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I've narrowed things down to:

1) With the $440 GC conversion kit (assuming stock shocks are in decent shape), can the stock shocks reliably run a 1.5" drop in a track environment?

-All the threads I've seen on this have both those who say "it'll blow tomorrow" and others claiming they've ran it for months. Didn't find a definitive example or data on this.

2. H&R Race springs: what is a conservative, reliable lowering distance (e.g. 1", 1.5") on stock shocks?


Thanks.

[Liquidity]

Did you even read my post? Actually, it's become clear to me you've never even had your car sideways but now you think you've got drifting all figured out and what parts you need. Well sorry but that GC setup isn't gonna do you any better especially once you slam the car and end up with so much rear toe-in that the car is almost impossible to handle a drift - and you still haven't done anything about your shocks.

But don't listen to people that actually know anything - listen to people that make general "you need coils" statements and other retards that think no-name springs are quality because they drove their car 15 miles and the car didn't explode.

[Artful Dodger]

Here is my advice for cheap performance suspension. This is what we are using on our AutoX car. I think it would work fine for your Drift Project. I know some other people may not agree with what I am going to say, but it works for us and we are super stingy on money.

1) Find used coil over adjusters for the front. (We bouhgt ours for $25, they were used Ground Control)
2) Buy some used springs (We are using 500# in the front) you are going to want 60mm to 2.5" diameter springs
3) Buy 1 spring from QA1 from Summit or Jegs. get a 10-11" and cut it in half (these are $37 each. (we started with a 650#
4) find used shocks. we were able to find used 318 bilsteins form a junk yard for $200

it handles pretty well. the shocks are not valved for this high of a spring rate, but it works. its just not optimized.

I think you should be able to achieve this set up for under $400.

[Andy.B]

Did you even read my post? Actually, it's become clear to me you've never even had your car sideways but now you think you've got drifting all figured out and what parts you need.

...

But don't listen to people that actually know anything

Oh my god. Drop the attitude there, keyboard warrior. There is no need for the hostility you are throwing around in here, and elsewhere on this forum. Please, try and be constructive. It honestly looks like the OP put thought and research into this topic. Let's discuss that, rather than throwing around attitude and unfounded opinions.