Are coil overs for everybody?

[thedeal]

Thinking about doing the GC swap to coilovers. Sounds like a great suspension upgrade but I don't really track my car, maybe in the future but not often due to my busy schedule. So.... is it worth it?

[.cj.]

You can order different spring rates. I had a setup built for a friend of mine and we did the "friends and family" rates. Talk to Mark@GC. He'll get you what you're looking for.


Cris

[dannyyisntt]

do you like the idea of having an adjustable suspension with higher/more aggressive spring rates and a lower stance? do you have other modifications that lean toward future tracking, or are you just a person interested in styles and a more esthetically appealing car?

[BTP325ic]

i think i nice GC setup and a wheel combination on your e30 would make it look very clean and you will like the way it handles.

[Hick]

yes

[reelizmpro]

Are they for everyone? Of course not. GC is a race coilover setup that was originally used by racers with dedicated trackcars. Now everybody and their mom are putting them on their street car. If you just want to lower your car and stiffen up the suspension a bit, then regular H&R sports with Bilsteins would suit you just fine. Beyond that, then GC would probably make more sense over Ireland Stage 3 or H&R Race springs that cost almost as much as GC springs/collars. But don't forget about the added expense of cutting/welding perches/shortening your strut housings (if you want to go low) and camber plates. When it's all said and done, you're looking at $1500+. I'm not knocking GC, I just think it's overkill for most people. You should find someone with a "street" GC setup and go for a ride and decide if it's too much for you or not.

[rwh11385]

Probably not everyone, but do do wonders for an E30's handling. And customization.

One of the best mods I have done. But on the other hand, H&R sports provided much of the same value if I was only streeting it.

On the negative side, coilovers severely hurt you in BMW Auto-X classing, even though they help go fast, same with NASA TT classing. J-stocks or similar would be more point-efficient. Not that that matters to you... but a point to consider.

[thedeal]

This is my daily driver, but as well I love taking it for a Sunday drive (for lack of a better term.) Tracking it in the not so distant future sounds great but I'm not quite there yet.

Sounds like it is definately Something to think about. Thanks for all the great info and more info is welcomed too.

[GotCone?]

Are coil overs for everybody?

No.

IMHO if you're not doing some kind of sport driving or don't need to acquire a specific STANCE... coilovers are not for you on a DD. a good matched set of springs & dampers will please most.

[Jonny Cash]

Thinking about doing the GC swap to coilovers. Sounds like a great suspension upgrade but I don't really track my car, maybe in the future but not often due to my busy schedule. So.... is it worth it?

Not at all. Start with H+R race, then go from there.

Ive never installed coilovers on an e30 personally. But at the track Ive seen the basic spec e30 setup waltz all over guys with fancy coilovers.

Sometimes the less money you spend on a car, the more fun you have.

[nando]

Not at all. Start with H+R race, then go from there.

Ive never installed coilovers on an e30 personally. But at the track Ive seen the basic spec e30 setup waltz all over guys with fancy coilovers.

Sometimes the less money you spend on a car, the more fun you have.

or maybe the specE30 guys are just better drivers..

it's not like the basic GC spring/adjuster kit is exactly espensive. maybe $100-$150 more than H&R race.

[Van Westervelt]

IMO, GC's setups are more aimed at the street car market and predominantly designed for height adjustment as with any coil over with HUGE threads in the sleeves. Aka, Fuh Raze!

Even as GC stuff isnt THAT hardcore, its still leaps and bounds beyond most other setups. If you want the adjustable height, get coils. If you want a stiffer daily, and dont need to 'drop it like its hottt,' start with H&R Sport springs, then if you want stiffer, go H&R Race, then J-stock.

[z31maniac]

Isn't the J-Stock setup like $2k?

At that point you can add a few hundred more and step up to the bad boy GC setup with Advance Design DAs or AST 4100s.

[FredK]

J-Stock is $1050 for the shocks and springs.

[z31maniac]

Ahhh, I was thinking of this

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=E30TMSJSTOCK

Which if you are serious about tracking your car, sways, camber plates, etc, are all other items likely to be upgraded.