New Member - 1989 325ix and Evo

[AWDBOB]

nice!~ leaving the stock springs? That sucks about the tc....btdt =/

These are the shortened race Konis! 2.1" shorter while having otherwise the same dimensions as the normal length iX Koni struts (PN: 8610 1436RACE). Thus, for my Ground Control setup, I have to shorten the strut housing 2.1". This way I can go low while still retaining stock suspension travel! Plus these guys are 5 way adj and are valved better than the Bilsteins for running a stiff spring.

My housings are at JMFab at the moment, so hopefully Monday or so I'll get to throw them on!

And yeah, I wasn't terribly happy about the VC. However, I just located a 5sp swap that I'm trying to pull the trigger on here and PA, but the owner is jerking me around and it's quite frustrating, seeing as they are so difficult to come by.

[audiquattrot]

nice!~ leaving the stock springs? That sucks about the tc....btdt =/

[AWDBOB]

They're so pretty!

[AWDBOB]

Front struts ordered! Ended up finding them for $203 a piece with free shipping. Amazon FTW.

Koni P/N: 8610-1436RACE

2.1" shorter than standard iX front Koni strut for use with shortened strut housings.

[AWDBOB]

it's a little o-ring thing that can only take like 240f or something before it melts. usually the t-case doesn't get that hot, but when you tow it with one set of wheels on the ground for instance, it will cook that seal, posslibly crack the VC case, and the disks inside often warp. :(

Man, that's annoying. I'm running like 90/10 as of late, but I 'spose I'll be living with it until I come across a 5sp swap.

[nando]

it's a little o-ring thing that can only take like 240f or something before it melts. usually the t-case doesn't get that hot, but when you tow it with one set of wheels on the ground for instance, it will cook that seal, posslibly crack the VC case, and the disks inside often warp. :(

[AWDBOB]

usually from improper towing, mismatched tires, or no fluid in the transfercase.

Sounds about right. Didn't know if there was a special seal that went (like the auto trans') that caused the failure or anything.

I'll wait until a manual swap to fix the VC..that is, if I can ever find one.

[nando]

usually from improper towing, mismatched tires, or no fluid in the transfercase.

[AWDBOB]

the seal on the VC probably went bad (overheated) and some of the fluid leaked out.

it looks like it's still partially locking but the fronts don't engage all the way.

Do you know why they overheat? We just did a VC in my brothers iX and it wasn't too bad, it's just tough finding one that's still good.

[nando]

the seal on the VC probably went bad (overheated) and some of the fluid leaked out.

it looks like it's still partially locking but the fronts don't engage all the way.

[AWDBOB]

My VC works 20% of the time, every time.

[AWDBOB]

I don't know, supposedly they matched my spring rates, but it feels awful. I mean, it corners like it's on rails, but it oscillates a lot over small bumps and is just really stiff feeling. every little crease or pebble on the road feels like I'm hitting a speed bump at 50mph. it didn't feel like that with Konis and my spring rates are softer now..

thanks for the tip! that's a lot less than I expected.. might have to pull the trigger soon, need to pull apart my LF strut and see what's going on first though.

I was thinking the same thing. For these race struts I expected the damage to be much worse.

They probably valved them too stiff. As you already know (and told me so), the Konis will probably be MUCH better for your setup. I wasn't convinced until I put the rears on. Now I'm sold :o.

[nando]

I don't know, supposedly they matched my spring rates, but it feels awful. I mean, it corners like it's on rails, but it oscillates a lot over small bumps and is just really stiff feeling. every little crease or pebble on the road feels like I'm hitting a speed bump at 50mph. it didn't feel like that with Konis and my spring rates are softer now..

thanks for the tip! that's a lot less than I expected.. might have to pull the trigger soon, need to pull apart my LF strut and see what's going on first though.

[AWDBOB]

nice - you running regular E30 koni single adjustables in the rear?

at 2.1" I'd need a tiny spacer in the bottom of my strut housings but that's not bad. how much did you pay for the set?

I think one of my custom Bilsteins may be broken. :( they ride like hell anyway - the more I think about it the more I think they got the valving all wrong, and obviously I can't adjust them..

Yep, running the Koni single adjustables in the rear with new upper mounts! I've had the rear coils on for a little while now, and even with just that it helped the car out a great deal. The valving seems to be on point with the 650lbers, as it's not too bouncy, or overly stiff either. Ride is very nice, surprisingly. Thankfully they're not like the 12k/10k valved Ohlins I have on the Evo.

That's rough. Did they valve them properly for the springs you're running when you sent them in to be shortened (assuming no per your response)?

The best I found was $207ea (race fronts, P/N 8610-1436race) with free shipping on Amazon, found here:

http://www.amazon.com/Koni-8610-1436...=8610-1436race

They were cheap on eBay a few days ago, and then Summit jacked up the price by $100, so that's no longer a viable option.

I have to drop a bunch of stuff off at JMFab tomorrow, so I'll finally be able to get the ball rolling on the strut housings.

[nando]

nice - you running regular E30 koni single adjustables in the rear?

at 2.1" I'd need a tiny spacer in the bottom of my strut housings but that's not bad. how much did you pay for the set?

I think one of my custom Bilsteins may be broken. :( they ride like hell anyway - the more I think about it the more I think they got the valving all wrong, and obviously I can't adjust them..