Sorry, but dump GC/short koni question

[91 318is]

I'm still confused on running short body koni's, I understand that people run them to slam the car and still have some shock travel, but when's the point to where you will need to get shortened shocks for the front? I'm running standard SA koni's with GC's coil over kit, I probably have the front lowered about 2" (never measured it when it was stock) is that too much? The adjustment ring is about halfway on the threaded collar if that makes any sense.

I just want to make sure so I don't destroy my new koni's, I don't plan on going any lower, oh and I do have cut bumpstops also.

Thanks

[AlarmedBread]

In most cases the spring will bind (or you'll smack your oil pan) before you hit the shock's bump stop. The bigger problem is rebound travel (or lack of). You can answer your own question... Do you have more shock travel than other travel limitations such as bump stops (oil pans) etc?

[318isbmw]

In most cases the spring will bind (or you'll smack your oil pan) before you hit the shock's bump stop. The bigger problem is rebound travel (or lack of). You can answer your own question... Do you have more shock travel than other travel limitations such as bump stops (oil pans) etc?

I think he's wondering if the koni is in its useable range, or is it not in a useful range of travel for the shock to be ok and not wear out too quickly. Like w/ a bilstein hd w/ h&r race's.
Honestly I wonder the same thing. If that's not your question, sorry for the thread jack, and I'm very curious about that also.

[91 318is]

In most cases the spring will bind (or you'll smack your oil pan) before you hit the shock's bump stop. The bigger problem is rebound travel (or lack of). You can answer your own question... Do you have more shock travel than other travel limitations such as bump stops (oil pans) etc?

I haven't driven the car since I lowered it because it's getting ready for painting.

I have cut bumpstops, that's about it. And I hope to have a skid plate soon so I DONT wipe out my oil pan. The Koni's are adjustable, so that should help out some won't it?

I think he's wondering if the koni is in its useable range, or is it not in a useful range of travel for the shock to be ok and not wear out too quickly. Like w/ a bilstein hd w/ h&r race's.
Honestly I wonder the same thing. If that's not your question, sorry for the thread jack, and I'm very curious about that also.

Yea that's kind of what I'm saying. I mean I know some people run short koni's because they want it slammed, but I wouldn't say mine's slammed. I just don't want to damage my koni's.

[Beej '86 325es]

Unless you're doing a serious setup, I don't think it's necessary. There are two ways to run the shortened Koni's.

1) GC can modify the housing and cut out part of the tube, then weld it back together.
2) I've heard of people installing spacers under the the strut.

[91 318is]

It's just my DD, no track time intended. I forgot my spring rate but I told the guy that it was a DD and that I wanted coils a little stiffer then what they'd recommend a DD for.

Sorry I'm not much help, i just can't remember the rates off the top of my head.

[asubimmer]

why coilovers for a DD?

[91 318is]

why coilovers for a DD?

for height adjustabililty

[Hellabad]

for height adjustabililty

......and get whatever spring rate you want, because you don't care where that spring rate makes the car sit because you can adjust the height no matter what.

Its just like that part in Lion King where they all start singing about the Circle of Life.

jay

[Hellabad]

I'm still confused on running short body koni's, I understand that people run them to slam the car and still have some shock travel, but when's the point to where you will need to get shortened shocks for the front? I'm running standard SA koni's with GC's coil over kit, I probably have the front lowered about 2" (never measured it when it was stock) is that too much? The adjustment ring is about halfway on the threaded collar if that makes any sense.

I just want to make sure so I don't destroy my new koni's, I don't plan on going any lower, oh and I do have cut bumpstops also.

Thanks

Ok. here is one way to look at an answer to this original question:

Paraphrased: " Is there some *specific* point where I can know if I need to go to all the trouble do this "short strut" thing that everybody is talking about?"

Answer : "yes"

Whew, all this talk about raising bridges, lowering water, billiebumps and measuring tapes. Yes there is a specific answer:

About 2.5 inches of chrome shaft showing will be really really good for almost any driving.


Konis: the amount of chrome showing when the car is sitting on the ground, is exactly equal to the amount of travel before the strut hits the bumpstop.

Bilsteins: You cannot see the 3.5 inch long bumpstop hidden inside the chrome, so you need 6 inches of chrome showing.


Thats it. the number 2.5 is the result of math and testing, and is subject to regional interpretation.

Jay Morris, board sponsor guy

[91 318is]

......and get whatever spring rate you want, because you don't care where that spring rate makes the car sit because you can adjust the height no matter what.

Its just like that part in Lion King where they all start singing about the Circle of Life.

jay

HUH?

Ok. here is one way to look at an answer to this original question:

Paraphrased: " Is there some *specific* point where I can know if I need to go to all the trouble do this "short strut" thing that everybody is talking about?"

Answer : "yes"

Whew, all this talk about raising bridges, lowering water, billiebumps and measuring tapes. Yes there is a specific answer:

About 2.5 inches of chrome shaft showing will be really really good for almost any driving.


Konis: the amount of chrome showing when the car is sitting on the ground, is exactly equal to the amount of travel before the strut hits the bumpstop.

Bilsteins: You cannot see the 3.5 inch long bumpstop hidden inside the chrome, so you need 6 inches of chrome showing.


Thats it. the number 2.5 is the result of math and testing, and is subject to regional interpretation.

Jay Morris, board sponsor guy

oooooooooooooooooooooh, ok.........that makes sense

[Knockenwelle]

2.5"...

So that's like 18cm, right?

Will 19cm make my E30 handle like a E92M3?










j/k. Got the full GC track coilover kit in my toy, and it works beautifully.

[chick]

2.5"...

So that's like 18cm, right?

Will 19cm make my E30 handle like a E92M3?

Nope. 2.5 x 2.54 = 6.35 cm