New Member - 1989 325ix and Evo

[nando]

you have to shorten the housing the same or less as the difference in length between the struts. if the struts are 2" shorter and you shorten the housings 2.5", they won't fit. :)

that's good to hear though, that means koni race inserts would be drop-in with my current housings.

[AWDBOB]

you have to shorten the housing the same or less as the difference in length between the struts. if the struts are 2" shorter and you shorten the housings 2.5", they won't fit. :)

that's good to hear though, that means koni race inserts would be drop-in with my current housings.

Baha I just read that quote where he said a hair over 2" so I used that wording. My mind is normally all over the place. 2" is where she'll be.

That's very convenient you shortened yours 2"!

--

It's also worthy of noting that every time I'm on my Evo forum (since buying 325ix) and see anything IX related (Evo 9 obviously), my mind is immediately perplexed as to why people are talking about an AWD Bimmer on EvoM.

It's a virus, and I'm now infected.

[Northern]

nice find on the shortened struts!

Although that second link in your quote didn't make it. Do you have a link to where that quote came from?

[AWDBOB]

nice find on the shortened struts!

Although that second link in your quote didn't make it. Do you have a link to where that quote came from?

Good catch, I fixed up the link!

And the thread from which it was pulled:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=109250

[AWDBOB]

The GC setup that I got didn't come with springs. If any of you folk can recommend spring rates/brands, I'd be all ears. Otherwise I'll be going with the 500/600 6"x2.5" Eibachs that they come with.

Goal:

Fun daily, some AutoX.

[Northern]

Typical rates for RWD cars are 450f/650r or 500f/700r.

I don't think the iX's lack of caster/camber or awd-ness would change that very much.


Also, if I'm not mistaken, GC kits come with 2.25" ID Eibachs? (just in case you're ordering camberplates elsewhere to fit)

[AWDBOB]

Typical rates for RWD cars are 450f/650r or 500f/700r.

I don't think the iX's lack of caster/camber or awd-ness would change that very much.


Also, if I'm not mistaken, GC kits come with 2.25" ID Eibachs? (just in case you're ordering camberplates elsewhere to fit)

I'll call GC. The seller told me they were 2.5", but I'll find out for sure.

Also, when cutting the housing, are you guys cutting the space below the sway bar bracket?

[AWDBOB]

On another note, I've been looking at wheels and would prefer a 16x8, but everything I enjoy seems to be +25 offset.

I was going to roll the fenders as flat as I can get them and trim the flares back. Anyone have pictures/info of a similar setup on an IX?

Tire size would be a 205/50 on a 16x8 +25. I have no problem trimming the flares and rolling the fenders.

[AWDBOB]

Fellow R3Vers, I am in need of some help in diagnostics.

Preface:

I have been experiencing some odd wiring issues since I purchased the car. The radio and tachometer will only work with the lights on. I figured this is just something with the way the power was wired in, but never looked into it.

The problem:

I was driving home the other night, and the radio started to blink like crazy, and eventually shut off and wouldn't power back on. In making the next right turn, I noticed my turn signals blinking ridiculously fast (not burnt out bulb fast). Following that, the lights began to dim, etc, so naturally I tested to see if the car was charging, and it was not. I replaced the alternator only to find out that the car was still not charging afterwords.

I then found out about the 'battery warning bulb' going out, and how if that happens, the charging circuit is not complete, and thus will not allow the alternator to do its job. I proceeded to pull the cluster and test the bulb; it wasn't bad.

Now, I'm stumped. New alternator (tested good), good battery light, car won't charge.

Radio/tach is back to normal after I put the battery on the charger, as in it only works with the lights.

One thing I noticed was that the car was missing a low-beam light in the cluster, and I'm wondering if that could have something to do with the odd 'lights on radio/tach on' deal.

However, I'm more concerned at the moment about why the car won't charge, and quite frankly, I'm out of ideas.

Thanks in advanced.

[nando]

On another note, I've been looking at wheels and would prefer a 16x8, but everything I enjoy seems to be +25 offset.

I was going to roll the fenders as flat as I can get them and trim the flares back. Anyone have pictures/info of a similar setup on an IX?

Tire size would be a 205/50 on a 16x8 +25. I have no problem trimming the flares and rolling the fenders.

it will still rub, no matter what you do in the rear. I don't recommend that fitment. you want ~ET30-ET33. even a 15x7 and same offset with stock tires rub on rolled/trimmed flares, a 16x8 with a slightly larger tire has no hope.

might be worth looking for a higher offset wheel and running a set of studs/spacers to get the fitment correct.

here's a pic of what I did to the lips/flares:


some of the plastic rivets are gone but they don't do much, the double sided tape they used is like superglue and does the job just fine.

you can also see a rub mark where the sheet metal bumps out a bit. it rubbed there with the 15x7s. your 16x8 will be taller and 1/2" closer to the fender lip. with the 15x7s, you could maybe fit 3-4 sheets of construction paper between the fender lip and the tire..

[AWDBOB]

it will still rub, no matter what you do in the rear. I don't recommend that fitment. you want ~ET30-ET33. even a 15x7 and same offset with stock tires rub on rolled/trimmed flares, a 16x8 with a slightly larger tire has no hope.

might be worth looking for a higher offset wheel and running a set of studs/spacers to get the fitment correct.

here's a pic of what I did to the lips/flares:


some of the plastic rivets are gone but they don't do much, the double sided tape they used is like superglue and does the job just fine.

you can also see a rub mark where the sheet metal bumps out a bit. it rubbed there with the 15x7s. your 16x8 will be taller and 1/2" closer to the fender lip. with the 15x7s, you could maybe fit 3-4 sheets of construction paper between the fender lip and the tire..

As always, thanks a ton! I did some rough calculations, and the wheel will stick out another 29mm over my stockers. If I could find a 16x7 +25 I'd be in decent shape, but man, I want that extra 1" of width.

I have my heart set on 16s, or else I'd just pick up the 6ULs and be done with it.

I'm actually deleting the flares and the side skirts, as my eyes don't really find them appealing.

I'm thinking that I should've just got an i from the get go.

[AWDBOB]

Got these in.

Since I needed the nylon inserts I called GC about the springs and they said 'yeah they're not the normal Eibach springs they're special for the rears', so I paid $70/ea for these damn things, only to get them and find out that they're just normal Eibach springs that you can get for $100/pair elsewhere. Not to mention the miniature nylon inserts were $33/ea.

Currently pissed at overpriced shit, but coilover stuff is almost all here.

Ended up settling with 450F/650R.

[Northern]

My m3 and iS both run those rates. Nice and firm, but not uncomfortably so. You should enjoy it when it's all in.

[AWDBOB]

My m3 and iS both run those rates. Nice and firm, but not uncomfortably so. You should enjoy it when it's all in.

Very nice. That sounds exactly like what I'm going for, so I'm sure it'll be enjoyable! The car is a daily and always will be so I have to keep telling myself that as I purchase parts.

I got some work done today!

SSSquid Chip
-Stage 2 (Bimmerheads Cam coming shortly)
-93 Octane
-17lb Injectors (M50)

I can't give enough thanks to Jesse (SSSquid). Great guy, super easy to work with, with an incredible product to boot. The startup/first drive was on 87 octane, as that's what I had in my tank at the time, and even with the 87 in there the chip made the car feel so much more responsive and run far smoother than it ever did. I have high hopes for when the cam comes in.

Parts:




These things were disgusting:

[AWDBOB]

I'm reconsidering the lowering in exchange for a lift kit and steel bumpers.

Why, you may ask?