New Member - 1989 325ix and Evo

[nando]

Installed my new glass today, finally.








Also threw on my front M3 adj swaybar endlinks and I still think they're too long. It feels like they're binding up, and the swaybar definitely doesn't sit parallel. It's driving me crazy because the car pulls to whatever side is bound up. The shorter links helped, but still not short enough :hitler:

you'd have to check the bar with the suspension loaded.

did you move your swaybar mount further down than the amount you lowered your car? I purposely moved mine down approximately equal to the amount I planned to lower my car (2") so I could use a stock link. Usually you have to extend the swaybar links, not shorten them. I haven't noticed anything weird (other than it handles significantly better with the swaybar hooked up).

Honestly from the pic you posted of the suspension unloaded, I think you need to make your link longer, not shorter - but you'd have to really look at it with the suspension compressed at normal ride height.

Those heim joints drive me crazy BTW, they don't last and start squeaking after a couple years. whatever performance difference there is isn't worth it IMO. I went through two sets, one with better quality joints but they still wear out and start to squeak.

[AWDBOB]

you'd have to check the bar with the suspension loaded.

did you move your swaybar mount further down than the amount you lowered your car? I purposely moved mine down approximately equal to the amount I planned to lower my car (2") so I could use a stock link. Usually you have to extend the swaybar links, not shorten them. I haven't noticed anything weird (other than it handles significantly better with the swaybar hooked up).

Honestly from the pic you posted of the suspension unloaded, I think you need to make your link longer, not shorter - but you'd have to really look at it with the suspension compressed at normal ride height.

Those heim joints drive me crazy BTW, they don't last and start squeaking after a couple years. whatever performance difference there is isn't worth it IMO. I went through two sets, one with better quality joints but they still wear out and start to squeak.

I had the same thoughts when I was putting them on. They really don't seem like the best option for an exposed, stressed joint.

I snapped a few shots with the suspension loaded. It looks pretty square now, but it's still binding up somewhere in my front suspension. Let me know what you think. Could it be possible that my strut mounts are too tight? When I turn slow you can hear a creak and physically see the strut mount trying to turn with the wheel when the hood is up.

[AWDBOB]

Project iX is taking her first road trip tomorrow, so I've been rushing to get new axles on and raise the car up a bit (which I can't do on my current coils).

Freshie axles and civic coils, this thing is going to be JDM AF, as they say.





Finally had some time to press in my lollipops too.

[litu]

Those front axle angel?? to mee almoust all ix owners has say that is wrong angle that axle.
I say it is same, it is angel down or up side

[AWDBOB]

Just so everyone knows:

The civic sleeves DO NOT FIT (well).

I cut my GC sleeves off (seized), went to put the civic sleeves on, and they're so tight I had to beat them with a 5lb mallet so hard that the entire sleeve compressed moving them but an inch.

[2mAn]

It had to have been true if you read it on the internet!!! .... jk sorry to hear that man. My 24v swap has been a similar type of nightmare.

[nando]

Just so everyone knows:

The civic sleeves DO NOT FIT.

I cut my GC sleeves off (seized), went to put the civic sleeves on, and they're so tight I had to beat them with a 5lb mallet so hard that the entire sleeve compressed moving them but an inch.

Since I listen to the internet I'm now out a car for a week, $60 for the civic coils, and $60 for another GC sleeve. This car is a fucking nightmare. Don't lower your iX.

that's odd. mine fit just fine, but maybe it has to do with how John modified my housings? they slipped on and off without issues (just had them apart for the konis).

[AWDBOB]

It had to have been true if you read it on the internet!!! .... jk sorry to hear that man. My 24v swap has been a similar type of nightmare.

Haha but as they say, it's all worth it in the end! Not sure if I believe that yet though.

that's odd. mine fit just fine, but maybe it has to do with how John modified my housings? they slipped on and off without issues (just had them apart for the konis).

That's gotta be the case. He probably used a tube with a slightly smaller OD or teemed out the inside of the civic insert.

After two hours of carbide grinding, a ton of heat, and a 20lb sledge?
I have victory.

[AWDBOB]

Another update:

My passenger side Koni is completely blown.

[nando]

Oh man, the new race insert? It must have been defective :(

[Mlarsen]

Yeah that doesn't make sense, that's premature for a koni to go bad even for a car like this.

[AWDBOB]

Oh man, the new race insert? It must have been defective :(

Yeah that doesn't make sense, that's premature for a koni to go bad even for a car like this.

:( I'm thinking the same thing. I'm going to send it out to them and see what they say. I have plenty of suspension travel so I know it's not from that.

[2mAn]

Haha but as they say, it's all worth it in the end! Not sure if I believe that yet though.

Thats exactly how I feel. My 24v swap is basically done and I'm picking it up tonight in Seattle and driving it 1200 miles. I'll know for sure if it was worth it by the time I arrive in SoCal

Keep at it and keep you eyes on the prize, its the only thing that kept me going the last few months

[AWDBOB]

Those front axle angel?? to mee almoust all ix owners has say that is wrong angle that axle.
I say it is same, it is angel down or up side

When it's low, the angle gets a little crazy and puts some extra stress on the joint as you can see in that bottom picture. But, as long as you don't go crazy low, the boots are the only thing that see some expedited wear!

Thats exactly how I feel. My 24v swap is basically done and I'm picking it up tonight in Seattle and driving it 1200 miles. I'll know for sure if it was worth it by the time I arrive in SoCal

Keep at it and keep you eyes on the prize, its the only thing that kept me going the last few months

Absolutely, man. That's pretty killer! And yeah, if it breaks on your way home I'm sure the feelings will change pretty fast.

I've never had a fun car that was reliable, so I'm trying to make that happen with the E30, and am learning that it's a long road with these cars. The 'fun, reliable, and cheap- pick two' saying hasn't worked in my favor yet seeing as the car hasn't been reliable, cheap, or fun.

[2mAn]

Well, mine hasnt been cheap so it better be the other two!!!