Coilovers - E30 M50 Turbo

[sakdbma]

Hi guys,

Ive been roaming this site for a while now but havnt made to many posts, have just been watching various threads and have gathered alot of information.

Now my question is:

Over the next 8 months I am going to be converting my E30 to M50B25 and sticking a Garret GT 35/40 Turbo on it. The motor is fully forged, double sprung valve springs etc and completely built for F.I.

I need a coilover that will give a good range of adjustment and as I am running 16x9 et 15 wheels I need something that will have a smaller spring perch than a standard strut, eliminating the need for such big spacers.

Also if someone here has done a similar conversion what spring rate should I look at? It has to cope with the extra weight of the M50 Turbo engine.

I have looked at G.C's and from a few threads on here I have seen that they are quite good and offer the best range of product in one kit.

http://www.ground-control-store.com/produc...tion.php/II=686

I have also looked at H&R setups and like these as they come as one complete bolt in unit, no need for any cutting/welding etc but they are expensive and by looking at various threads the G.C's have a better travel.

Ive also seen that with the G.C's with them being weld on you can actually shorten the strut making the highest point on the Coilover lower than standard height. Giving you an already lower car with out having to drop the spring height adjusters

Any input or reccomendations on this matter would be hugely appreciated.

Cheers

Chris

[erik325i]

I recommend the C3 Motorsport coilover kit. There is actually a group buy going on right now with one spot still left at this price.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=85200

They can do everything that the Ground Control kit does, but it does it better. Compared to GC, the C3 kit has better camber/caster plates, better shocks, and better RSMs.

I have this kit on my car, and absolutely love it.

-Erik

[PiercedE30]

roller rockers

[sakdbma]

Rocker Arms are an important part of the valve train, providing not only a means of actuating the valves thru a fulcrum utilizing the lifter and pushrod, but also provide a means of multiplying the lift ratio. Camshaft design has advanced by leaps and bounds over the last 3 decades, but overhead valve engines with centrally located camshafts still use lifters, pushrods and rocker arms as a means of opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves. Although advancements in rocker arm design have occurred, the basic principles have remained the same. We now have shaft-mounted rockers available for sophisticated head designs, but the primary means of actuation is a single rocker arm per valve mounted on a stem or stud in the cylinder head. Materials used in construction of the rocker arms has also advanced, moving from stamped steel to aluminum, forged steel or stainless steel. Light weight is still crucial to efficient operation, but strength also plays a major function in longevity. Roller tips and needle bearing fulcrums have helped reduce friction and heat, thereby increasing expected life-spans.

Answer your question?

[Farbin Kaiber]

any shots of said roller rockers?

[PiercedE30]

Answer your question?

Not at all.
I know what a roller rocker is. Now, how in the hell one can make a roller rocker work in an M50 motor is beyond me. Especially since it uses hydraulic lifters that sit directly beneath each lobe on the camshaft. The hydraulic lifter doesn't have to be adjusted since oil pressure creates proper clearance between the valve and the lifter.
I know there was talk of someone making some roller rockers for the M20, but no one could figure it out. This was a few years ago, so if anyone has made some head way in that department, more power to them, I won't use them.
Now, do you really know what the fuck you are talking about? Or do you just speak before you think?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Maybe he meant an LSX or SBC instead of M50 ?

[matt]

If you're willing to pay for it, the H&R coilover setup is much nicer than ground controls.

[golde30]

i thought roller rockers were a v8 muscle car thing...

[sakdbma]

sorry, my bad, upon asking the guy importing the engine for me he had misinformed me about the said 'roller rockers' He is a V8 junkie that happens to have some connections in Germany. I am not a mechanic and apologise.

But now that I have attention could someone reccomend spring rates etc to cope with the M50 + turbo etc. Now matt you say the H&R kit is good? My NZ supplier can get it to me for quite a decent price, now my question is which will out perform H&R's or C3 Motorsport?

As you can see I am not 100% clued up on the mechanical side of things (Basic knowledge) and this is a huge learning curve for me. I will be paying my mechanic to do the install but most Fab work I can do myself.

Cheers guys, hope Im not going to get flamed now!

[erik325i]

If you're willing to pay for it, the H&R coilover setup is much nicer than ground controls.

Really? I've got a buddy who has H&R coilovers on his e30 cabrio, and GC coilovers on his coupe, and he said the GCs are better. I've never dealt with the H&Rs personally though, so I can't say for sure though.
I've only dealt with the C3 kit, and the GCs.

-Erik

[matt]

Did he say why?