GC Spring Lengths - Too Long?

[Low Level E30]

Are 7" front, 6" rear springs too long (300# F, 500# R) ?

If so, what lengths are recommended for these rates?

[matt]

That's about right for springs that soft. That's really soft.

[erik325i]

I'd say those lengths are a bit long.
I'm running a 6" front spring and a 5" rear spring with my C3 coilovers, but my rates are a bit higher than yours. (450/750)

-Erik

[matt]

I'd say those lengths are a bit long.
I'm running a 6" front spring and a 5" rear spring with my C3 coilovers, but my rates are a bit higher than yours. (450/750)

-Erik

Your rates are 50% higher than his, that's not a bit.

[Low Level E30]

300 / 500 is not that soft --- H&R Race's are 315/570, and are certainly not soft, so it should be a reasonable ride --- I live in NY state, so the roads are terrible.

Will I be able to get the car reasonably low w/ these spring lengths?

Or, should I change to different lengths? What do you recommend?

[Brew]

That seems like a strange spring rate combo. 350f/475r is the setup I've got, don't remember the spring length though. It gives very neutral handling with a 325is front sway and stock rear, almost a little too neutral actually for high speed road course stuff. 450f/600r is another common one.

[2002maniac]

mine are 6"/5" 400/650

[joshh]

The spring length is written on the spring.
Being they are adjustable, it shouldn't be a problem.

[Low Level E30]

The spring length is written on the spring.
Being they are adjustable, it shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, the height can obviously be adjusted... but only to a point. As extreme examples, 12" spring would obviously prevent you from lowering the car and a 4" spring would mean you couldn't raise the car off the ground.

So would a 7" 300# / 6" 500# spring combo be too long to get the car reasonably low?

[Low Level E30]

-Bump-

[Beej '86 325es]

I'm running a 500# 6" length, 2.5ID rear spring. With the rear adjusters all the way down, this is how my car sits. Keep in mind that's the older body with the higher rear arches:

[Low Level E30]

I'm running a 500# 6" length, 2.5ID rear spring. With the rear adjusters all the way down, this is how my car sits. Keep in mind that's the older body with the higher rear arches:

Awesome - thanks for the info.

I will be running these on an E30 M3, which also has high rear arches like the early non-M cars.

What spring are you using up front?

Do you have a close-up pic of the rear, by chance?

[Low Level E30]

Oh, and are those 17's or 18's?

[Mystikal]

I had 7" front AND rear springs for a bit.

All the way down, the 7" (300lb/in) fronts would just allow the tire to be at the same level as the fender. Koni dampers also, Bilsteins make the car higher.

6" rear springs are not at all long. To me, they are absolutely perfect (I am currently using 5.5" with a 10mm spring pad).

-Jay

[Low Level E30]

I had 7" front AND rear springs for a bit.

All the way down, the 7" (300lb/in) fronts would just allow the tire to be at the same level as the fender. Koni dampers also, Bilsteins make the car higher.

6" rear springs are not at all long. To me, they are absolutely perfect (I am currently using 5.5" with a 10mm spring pad).

-Jay

Thanks Jay!

Did you have modded strut housings, or did you just have the adjusters placed on the stock perches?

And were you using camber plates?