Koni 8610-1473

[MasukBMW]

Hey guys
I have a pair of Koni front 8610-1473 race struts, but am confused as to how to run them.
They appear to be shorter than the sports, does this mean the strut housing will need to be shortened to compensate? Or does there need to be a spacer in the bottom of the strut housing?
I am wanting to run with H&R race springs, but I am thinking given how short the springs are that the car will sit way to low.

Does anyone have experience running these struts?

[DRTSRFR]

Do you mean 1437RACE?

You can run a spacer under the damper and shouldn't have any problems. That's a pretty stiff insert though, being designed with race springs in mind.

The inserts have nothing to do with affecting ride height.

[MasukBMW]

^Correct, RACE struts.
I went with GC 525/750 (F/R) set up with this. Planning on shortening strut housing 2", making up the delta with a spacer inside the housing.
Any idea if they need oil inside the housing with these? Cant find a straight answer.

[nando]

they don't need oil. I usually put a little WD-40 or a teaspoon of oil inside the strut just so it won't rust out if it builds condensation.

they aren't really too stiff to use on the street. pretty comfy actually, as long as you don't crank them up.

[DRTSRFR]

Definitely not too stiff for the street.

They're firmer on compression from the get go than singles, and can be a little choppy if used with soft springs...just puttin' it out there.

[MasukBMW]

Thanks for your input fellas

Am I seeing this correctly - by section in the strut 2" it is essentially decreasing the length between the strut, and in turn the wheels, to the chassis. This will result in sitting 2" lower, if all things were equal (not taking into account reduced spring height/rates/etc)

The 1" spacer inside the housing will hold the strut higher which is required due to the overall length of the strut being shorter than standard e30 struts, to which the housings are intended.

What I don't understand - the race struts are basically 3" shorter than standard e30 struts, so do I need to make up this entire delta with the spacer? Meaning I'd need a 3" rather than 1" spacer? (Not exact numbers, I know)

What is the purpose of this spacer?

Thanks a lot

[DRTSRFR]

Most commonly you section 1" of the housing, and use a 2" spacer.

[nando]

If you aren't shortening the housings, there's little point in using race shocks. just get standard SA konis.

[Wh33lhop]

Thanks for your input fellas

Am I seeing this correctly - by section in the strut 2" it is essentially decreasing the length between the strut, and in turn the wheels, to the chassis. This will result in sitting 2" lower, if all things were equal (not taking into account reduced spring height/rates/etc)

The 1" spacer inside the housing will hold the strut higher which is required due to the overall length of the strut being shorter than standard e30 struts, to which the housings are intended.

What I don't understand - the race struts are basically 3" shorter than standard e30 struts, so do I need to make up this entire delta with the spacer? Meaning I'd need a 3" rather than 1" spacer? (Not exact numbers, I know)

What is the purpose of this spacer?

Thanks a lot

You don't change the height of the spring perch when you shorten the strut housing. Ride height remains the same, all you're doing is changing where you sit in the stroke of the damper.

Shortening the housing 3" will be too much--you should shorten it between 1-2" to regain some compression travel after lowering the car, and make up the rest of the 3" deficit with a spacer.

Alternately, you can just get off-the-shelf yellows and not bother with any of this.

[MasukBMW]

I realized I basically answered my own question...1"+2"=3".

Going to shorten 1.5" and run 1.5" spacer.(or whatever the exact numbers end up being). I figure since I am cutting and rewelding the spring perch anyways, might as well shorten the housing while I'm at it.

Thank you for your responses.