What's right for me? The whole sha-bang (semi-noob questions)

[Tim Flat4]

I'm trying to figure out what type of suspension upgrade will best suite my needs when the time comes. The car will be used as my daily driver but will see plenty of track time at Nurburgring and Hockenheimring. I like my cars to feel connected and precise. For anyone that's driven an S2000, that's what I mean. I really just want to find a balance that will make my driving experience on the track more enjoyable but still be comfortable on the daily grind. I'm the kind of person that prefers to spend the extra money for quality but I don't like to waste my money on things I don't need. Shall we begin?

Struts/Springs/Spring Pads
I had Konis on my last car and I don't like the idea of not having some sort of rating system of how soft or stiff I have them set. Aside from that, I wasn't impressed with them for how much I spent. I see that they don't make KYB AGXs for the E30 and yes, I know the AGXs aren't rebuildable. With that being said, are there any other quality adjustable struts for the E30 that don't break the bank?

The complete GC kit (seen here- http://www.ground-control-store.com/...egory.php/CA=8 ) seems to be the popular choice for an adjustable setup but what other options are out there?

I'm not too sure about the whole spring pad thing but I've seen it come up quite a bit during my research. I know this only pertains to uprated springs but I'm still curious. Can someone please explain their purpose?

Strut Bars/Sway Bars/LCA Bushings/Misc. Bushings
I've seen that just about everyone has a front strut bar but how effective are they on these chassis'? What about the rear strut mounts?

Sway bars are a big concern in my eyes. The best results in handling on all my past cars have come from upgrading the sway bars (and of course tires). I want to get my car to handle as neutral as possible; No crazy oversteer bias and ultra stiff ride. What would be the proper size front and rear bar for my application?

I've noticed a lot of hype about Treehouse LCA bushings and I want to know what exactly they help out with? Do they correct a bad design or weak point while also offering a lower compliance bushing?

Speaking of bushings can someone explain to me what the advantage/disadvantages of offset bushing vs aftermarket replacements? Like I mentioned in the first paragraph, I like a connected and precise feel and I've yet to upgrade bushings in any of my past cars but I hear that they make a wonderful difference especially in older cars due to wear. I know they will increase noise and vibration some but it seems like it might be worth the trade off.

Shifter and Steering Rack
To finish off that "precise and connected" feel that I love so much the following are two of the biggest parts.

What type of shifter bushing and short shifters are offered yet worth the money?

The Z3 steering rack looks to be a great upgrade for the money although it's quite a job to install it. I like the sound of 2.7 turns lock to lock! Are there any specific year Z3 or rack in particular for such a swap or are they all the same?

I know that was a lot but I like to be specific. Please don't waste my time by telling me to search because obviously I have been and I will continue to do so. Also, please don't take this off topic as hard as that may be for most members here from what I've seen. Straight answers to my questions is all I need. Thanks in advance to those that leave helpful information ;)

[Dave]

Please don't waste my time by telling me to search because obviously I have been and I will continue to do so.

Please dont waste our time by asking questions, the answers to which, are already here if you search and read thoroughly.

Having said that,

H&R SPorts and Bilsteins/ST sways/Treehouse LCA Bushings/z3 1.9 shifter.

[Tim Flat4]

An oh-so helpful responce, and so quick too! With your suggestion this site and many other automotive forums would be useless. They would actually be more of an "FAQ" page than a forum. For CYA purposes the key part of that quote is in the second half, thanks.

Staying on topic, you gave me your opnion but no sort of explination. Why H&R/Bilsteins (sports I presume)? What size ST sway bars? Why upgrade my LCAs? That's exactly why I took the time to type that out was to get specific information.

I'll keep researching, don't worry.

[NC325iC]

h&r/billie sports are the most popular street/track setup for e30s for good reason
ST sways come in one size only, ST is suspension technique or something like that.
get new CABs because these will increase caster improving handling and high speed stability, its all on the forums just search for each component and youll get a ton of stuff

[Dave]

An oh-so helpful responce, and so quick too! With your suggestion this site and many other automotive forums would be useless. They would actually be more of an "FAQ" page than a forum.

Hi, I am a noob. I have contributed very little, and despite 3 years of posts here covering ALL of the questions I have, I want you to do the work for me.

I'll keep researching, don't worry.

Great.

[Tim Flat4]

I must have forgotten that post count directly relates to one's IQ and how much respect one gets. My appologies. I'm not even going to get in to it with you.

NC325iC, what exactly does CAB stand for?

Did this site recently go through a reconstruction of some sort? The reason I ask is because while searching I've found quite a few dead links.

[parkerbink]

Control Arm Bushing. I loved my Treehouse CABs. World of differance.

Don't mind Dave. He really is a nice guy. (quiet as it's kept)

Welcome

[Dave]

Don't mind Dave. He really is a nice guy. (quiet as it's kept)

Hugs and kisses, Stefan. :p


Tim,

If you are going to drive it daily, you sont want linear rate coilovers like the GCs. Get H&R Sports and Bilsteins or Konis. You can keep it manageable for the street, but it will be a bit tighter at the track. Do you desire adjustability in damping or ride height? I'd think damping would be all, hence the H&Rs would suit you, IMHO.

They will work with the stock spring pads. No need to add any or get thicker ones.

Another option with sways is to get a stock cabrio sway (its thicker) and remove the rear sway altogether. Cabby sway gives you a bit of stiffness up front, and removing the rear lets the rear wheels be more independent, leaving the car more "planted" at times.

I loves my Treehouse CABs. THey help a lot on turn in. They do alter the caster a hair. I have never run offset CABS. Cant comment on them.

I run a stock rack. For road courses, it works fine - tighther rack I guess could be good for auto-x.

[PeaveyBassist]

Another option with sways is to get a stock cabrio sway (its thicker) and remove the rear sway altogether. Cabby sway gives you a bit of stiffness up front, and removing the rear lets the rear wheels be more independent, leaving the car more "planted" at times.

Here is where I differ from you Dave. I had a stock bar in front and the rear bar out and the car plowed a lot. A lot of understeer which I did NOT like. IMO it handles a lot better with the rear bar connected. Rob recommended the cabrio bar in front and m3 bar in rear.

Will

[Tim Flat4]

The cabrio/M3 sway bar combo is fairly close in size to the ST bars correct? I'd imagine they would be significantly less money which is always a plus.

Dave, you're right in mainly wanting adjustability in dampening rather than ride height. As nice as having such an option would be (adjustable ride height that is) I doubt I would use it too much. Depending on the price differnece it may not even justify spending that kind of money.

[StereoInstaller1]

Hi Tim.
Look into some AKG control arm bushings as an option to treehouse CAB's. No offset on the softer urethane ones, but as hard as mine are, I cannot imagine wanting harder on the street.

If you want the increased camber (adds high speed stability), they offer M3 offset, but only in a harder urethane. I felt the loss of comfort was not worth the tiny bit (in Alex's opinion) of improvement.

As far as swaybars go, I plan on using stock "is" (same as cabby, iirc) front adn rear, but with urethane bushings and upgraded mounts and endlinks.

Even stock, it corners pretty flat, comfortably.

The stock sway changes geometry when the car is lowered, reducing its effectivness. The end links are going to be changed, either to an adjustable design, or just cut and welded.

The stock mounts are a known failure point, both front and rear. I will be welding in bracing at the mount point, and bolting through the floor of the trunk. Pretty standard stuff, I am lead to believe.

Anyway, thanks for actually joining the discussions here!

Luke

[NC325iC]

Hi Tim.
Look into some AKG control arm bushings as an option to treehouse CAB's. No offset on the softer urethane ones, but as hard as mine are, I cannot imagine wanting harder on the street.

If you want the increased caster (adds high speed stability), they offer M3 offset, but only in a harder urethane. I felt the loss of comfort was not worth the tiny bit (in Alex's opinion) of improvement.

As far as swaybars go, I plan on using stock "is" (same as cabby, iirc) front adn rear, but with urethane bushings and upgraded mounts and endlinks.

Even stock, it corners pretty flat, comfortably.

The stock sway changes geometry when the car is lowered, reducing its effectivness. The end links are going to be changed, either to an adjustable design, or just cut and welded.

The stock mounts are a known failure point, both front and rear. I will be welding in bracing at the mount point, and bolting through the floor of the trunk. Pretty standard stuff, I am lead to believe.

Anyway, thanks for actually joining the discussions here!

Luke

small edit for you luke

[AdironRider]

Since your car is a daily your going to have to make some performance compromises and with that in mind here are my suggestions.

H&R sports with Koni adjustables.
M3 cabs
suspension techniques sways
Z3 1.9 shifter

That should give you more than enough for a daily that sees double duty on the track. Sways really make a large difference in handling, so Id pony up the dough for the ST bars.

[StereoInstaller1]

small edit for you luke

AACK! Thanks.

Luke

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

I speak from experience of browsing this forum....
-H&R's ("race" if wanna go low??)
-Bilstein Sport shocks/struts (i hear konis go out early and the only + is adjust.)
-cabrio front/m3 rear (if don't want oversteer/more understeer, then leave stock one, but reinforce mounts anyways) I personally wouldn't go stiffer since youre going to be more daily driving than tracking! Also, it would prolly hold road better, and wouldn't slide, correct me if wrong)
-treehouse cabs or M3 cabs
-rear subframe+trailing arm bushings (abrahamsmotrs..)
-nice tyres!