New Member - 1989 325ix and Evo

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[iXguido]

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

[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?

[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]

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

[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.

[nando]

is that shortened already?

[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]

yeah they *can* work unshortened it's just not comfortable and you really can't go a lot lower than H&R sports.

just buy shorter konis to begin with. you could use koni race inserts, I think you'd need a 2-3" spacer, but they're several inches shorter than ix inserts. I believe there's a part # posted on E30tech somewhere.

you can't really shorten them yourself - koni can do it, but they're really expensive to have rebuilt. you're better off getting the right ones to begin with.

could also call GC and see what they're using for the ix.

[AWDBOB]

yeah they *can* work unshortened it's just not comfortable and you really can't go a lot lower than H&R sports.

just buy shorter konis to begin with. you could use koni race inserts, I think you'd need a 2-3" spacer, but they're several inches shorter than ix inserts. I believe there's a part # posted on E30tech somewhere.

you can't really shorten them yourself - koni can do it, but they're really expensive to have rebuilt. you're better off getting the right ones to begin with.

could also call GC and see what they're using for the ix.

For sure, I obviously want to do it right since I'm going this far.

I actually called GC yesterday and they were little to no help about shortening the struts. They told me I didn't need to modify anything, and then they said the obvious, that I need to shorten the housings, and then I asked about shortened Konis and he said "I don't know anything about that. We only sell front Konis for the I in the full suspension kit. I don't know about the IX."

I'll look on E30 tech for the P/N!

[AWDBOB]

To compile some good info here, I found the E30 Tech thread with all of the necessary information. Here's the quote. I'm going to pick these struts up (same price as normal IX Koni inserts) and shorten my housings 2". The Koni Race struts are 2" shorter than standard inserts.

Ok guys. I found some short strut inserts from Koni that cost about the same as regular ix inserts and they are adjustable as well. Here is a link to the Koni page: http://www.koniracing.com/8611.cfm

If you look in the column on the left, you will see the different models and dimensions. The one to look for is the 8610-1436race all the specs are the same as a regular ix Koni insert, except for the length, 11.42in, which is about 2.1in shorter than a regular Koni ix insert. You have to reuse the threaded ring from your ix Koni insert to hold the strut, as the "race" insert does not come with one.

Camber are a must with these. Reason being is that although the nut will fit inside the bearings, there is no way you will get a 19mm (I think) socket in there to tighten it down. I had to get creative with my as I don't have camber plates yet. Also if you're lowering your car this much you'll want camber plates or your tires will wear on the inside like mine are, which sucks.

Here is a link to shox.com the best place I found to buy them: http://www.shox.com/appguide/shoxshop/

If you want to find them yourself on the website, go to shox.com. Click on "Shop Online" at the top of the screen. Supplier of course: KONI, Auto Maker: KONI RACE. I only added these instructions as it took me a while to figure out what to enter in the "Auto Maker" box.

According to the internet, these are the shortest inserts that Koni makes. Took me a couple hours researching and sifting through a lot of junk on import forums to find these. I have run these in my car for ~15,000km and they hold up very well. They adjust just like regular ix Konis and come with an adjuster knob as well.

For those who noticed the 8611-1257 Race has the same dimensions and are wondering why I didn't mention it, here's why: It will work just fine but it costs double the price because it's a double adjustable insert. Not sure how it would work with our cars and having to drill a hole in the bottom of the strut to adjust the compression. If you want to shell out 800 for a pair of inserts then go for it.

I am not sure what the GC/Koni short inserts are like as far as dimensions as I haven't got any. Anyone that has them feel free to compare. In case anyone is wondering using these will require reducing the height of your struts just over 2in. I did the cutting and welding myself, but did not take any pictures, sorry.

Alright I think I have said enough about a pair of struts. I hope this is helpful to someone. Cheers guys!

-Willy

Also, here's a nice DIY strut shortening for use with Koni Race inserts:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117885