New Member - 1989 325ix and Evo

[AWDBOB]

is that shortened already?

Negative. He ran them unshortened with Konis for 10K miles without issue, but I'm still planning on shortening them if I can figure out how to shorten the Konis as well when I buy them.

[nando]

is that shortened already?

[AWDBOB]

I bought cool stuff today!

Gonna order some springs, front Konis, offset control arm bushings, and a rear sway hopefully next week and do it all at once.

[AWDBOB]

shortened housings = shortened struts.

you aren't going to be able to go lower than H&R springs without shortened housings. it's just not going to happen.. well, you can physically do it, but there will not be any travel left.

I'm not even sure I'd cut a coil on H&R springs. they don't have a lot of travel as is.. just enough to be bearable. maybe if your roads are smooth as glass, it'd be OK.

GC sells shorter konis with their ix kit. they will most likely ride a heck of a lot better than what I have.

Shortened struts, here we come. I'll stop fighting it

[nando]

shortened housings = shortened struts.

you aren't going to be able to go lower than H&R springs without shortened housings. it's just not going to happen.. well, you can physically do it, but there will not be any travel left.

I'm not even sure I'd cut a coil on H&R springs. they don't have a lot of travel as is.. just enough to be bearable. maybe if your roads are smooth as glass, it'd be OK.

GC sells shorter konis with their ix kit. they will most likely ride a heck of a lot better than what I have.

[AWDBOB]

It was on gc's ix coil kit, with koni strut inserts. The strut housings were cut 2.1" shorter.

I'm assuming you did, but did you shorten the front struts? If not, how awful was it?

[iXguido]

It was on gc's ix coil kit, with koni strut inserts. The strut housings were cut 2.1" shorter.

[AWDBOB]

That ride height is easy to get with coilovers. Go with Ground Control.

And I want your evo BADLY...

If I'd recommend a car to build, it'd be an Evo, that's for sure. If you're ever bored, here's all 38 pages of the build thread:

http://forums.evolutionm.net/all-mit...-4l-build.html

Its hard to get an iX to get low. Look at Nando's, he's on coils and that's about as low as you're going to get without running into issues.

That low may require you to notch your frame rail, and will require you to find some shorter struts to fit shortened iX housings, you may be able to raise your strut towers a bit, but that's more useful if you're looking to run rwd camber plates.

The rear is easy, but if you go that low, you're going to have loads of useless camber -- more than a normal e30 because the iX has the subframe spaced down to correct camber from the higher OEM ride height.

Not going to get that low, even with coils - not unless you notch your frame and carry spare cv shafts.

Handling sucks at those ride heights anyway, and the flares will make it look lower.


As far as tires, not with those wheels but 225s are no problem.

I suppose that is something worth noting that I haven't played into my visual yet; the flares. I'll so some measuring and such, but I'm definitely not going for the 'hellaflush' or 'dapper' look, moreso the meaty tire, functional look.

Thanks for all the info in regards to frame notching. It's hard to compare an i to an ix in terms of ride height. Seems they really differ more than I imagined.

Nando, your car is my model, but I have to be different somehow!

this is my old ix on 14" weaves. Never had any problems with axles. Camber was off, yes, but it was not to bad. if I had kept it I would have eventually taken care of it though.

Thing is low! What was the suspension setup? I definitely don't need to go that low.

Awesome work on saving that IX!

I just say put a 19mm sway in the back(IE, Suspension Techniques, UUC Swaybarbarian) with IX H&R sport springs and Billy HDs with a cut H&R sport coil up front. I can't remember who recommends that exact set up for an IX, maybe Turner or Bimmerworld, but my friend has that set up and it looks nice and more importantly rides beautifully while still maintaining that firmness.

I was so happy when I saw you repair that rear upper spring support. Keep it up!

I'm on board with the rear sway! Once I get the ride height situation settled, the plan is to pick up a rear sway, some braided brake lines, a few new bushings (offset control arm), and rear strut supports, and be just about done with it.

I like the idea of the H&Rs, but I'm having trouble finding pictures of the combo with the coil cut in the front. I've definitely heard of that before being the 'ideal' setup.

I have two choices. Now to man up and pick one.

[ZinnoBerrotEta]

Awesome work on saving that IX!

I just say put a 19mm sway in the back(IE, Suspension Techniques, UUC Swaybarbarian) with IX H&R sport springs and Billy HDs with a cut H&R sport coil up front. I can't remember who recommends that exact set up for an IX, maybe Turner or Bimmerworld, but my friend has that set up and it looks nice and more importantly rides beautifully while still maintaining that firmness.

I was so happy when I saw you repair that rear upper spring support. Keep it up!

[iXguido]

this is my old ix on 14" weaves. Never had any problems with axles. Camber was off, yes, but it was not too bad. if I had kept it I would have eventually taken care of it though.

[nando]

Not going to get that low, even with coils - not unless you notch your frame and carry spare cv shafts.

Handling sucks at those ride heights anyway, and the flares will make it look lower.


As far as tires, not with those wheels but 225s are no problem.

[Northern]

Its hard to get an iX to get low. Look at Nando's, he's on coils and that's about as low as you're going to get without running into issues.

That low may require you to notch your frame rail, and will require you to find some shorter struts to fit shortened iX housings, you may be able to raise your strut towers a bit, but that's more useful if you're looking to run rwd camber plates.

The rear is easy, but if you go that low, you're going to have loads of useless camber -- more than a normal e30 because the iX has the subframe spaced down to correct camber from the higher OEM ride height.

[F34R]

That ride height is easy to get with coilovers. Go with Ground Control.

And I want your evo BADLY...

[AWDBOB]

For a reference, this is my height/tire goal. Possible?

[AWDBOB]

Ouch this looks just like my Ix did. Man I'm glad to have it done though, also if you haven't checked look above that canister in the passenger rear wheel well, I found some rust hiding above it.

Funny you say that. I dropped the plastic piece, and the canister literally fell out. There are 2" rust holes where each bracket used to be. That's on the list for Saturday :(

looks great! It's in much better shape than my iX.

Thanks, man! The further I get into the car the more small issues I'm finding (mainly the rust), but it definitely feels good to be cleaning the car up again. I've wanted a Zinno 2dr coupe for just about ever, so I'm in it for the long haul :up:


Also, you IX guys, I'm thinking about grabbing these guys for the rear to get the car a bit lower.

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/E30-suspension-steering/E30rspadj.html

But, I'm at a loss for what to do in the front. I would LOVE to do the GC kit, but I can't justify the extra coin to shorten the Bilsteins when I don't need this car to handle THAT well, but would like it to sit a bit lower than it does with the H&Rs.