HPDE Ride Height

[DTFE30]

Hey guys, does anyone have any input on setting the ideal ride height? I know e36 and e46 guys have "ideal" center of wheel to fender/quarter measurements but I haven't been able to find any conclusive evidence. From what I have found, the car should be level and the front control arms should not be past parallel with the ground. I'm currently running a 3-way adjustable coilover setup. Any feedback would be great!

[jlevie]

Corner balancing the car and tweaking the front to rear weight balance is more important than ride height. How low to take the car is largely a function spring rates. Stiff, race rate, springs will allow the car to be lower without placing the pan at undue risk on track as long as you stay off the gators. But if the car will also be street driven you'll want it higher than ideal for track.

[JRKOUPE]

Corner balancing the car and tweaking the front to rear weight balance is more important than ride height. How low to take the car is largely a function spring rates. Stiff, race rate, springs will allow the car to be lower without placing the pan at undue risk on track as long as you stay off the gators. But if the car will also be street driven you'll want it higher than ideal for track.

bingo...

if u drive to track....be careful. U can always lower it at track but then your alignment may be off....unless u set it a track ht..then raise it for the drive.

I run HR race in my track car.....ride ht is fixed. I need to be careful driving to some tracks.

3 way adjustable?......rebound, compression....and what else?...

do u have alot of track time?...if not, those adjustments will drive u nutz.

[Wh33lhop]

3 way adjustable?......rebound, compression....and what else?...

do u have alot of track time?...if not, those adjustments will drive u nutz.

If he really means triple adjustable dampers, you can adjust low speed compression, high speed compression and rebound independently.

And yes they will, lol.

[robgoesvroom]

Weird that you have 3 way adjustables and are asking a question like this. If you have the money to buy 3 ways, you have the money to have your car setup properly at a speed shop and get it corner balanced! They should help you out and take your input for what you want to do with the car, and give you input as far as adjusting ride height while keeping the weight distributed evenly.

I think the E30 front fenders are higher than the rears, so watch out!

What kind of 3 way suspension are you running? Need pics 8)

[TobyB]

Faster guys than me have found that a bit of forward 'rake' helps adjust front- to- rear
roll center heights, and thus adjust over/understeer. And that it's pretty sensitive to rake.

I haven't gotten far enough along with the suspension to test that.

t

[DTFE30]

By 3 way I meant height, perch adjustment, and damping. Sorry for the confusion haha. Pretty much like a megan racing set.

[JRKOUPE]

perch adjustment?..that is for ride ht...correct?....

we are just trying to help you use proper terms here...lol

[bimmerteck]

By 3 way I meant height, perch adjustment, and damping. Sorry for the confusion haha. Pretty much like a megan racing set.

The adjustable lower perch on those is only to set initial spring preload. Height is adjustable to a point by shortening the assembly.(screw the shock body further into the threaded body) Damping is adjustable but compression is tied to rebound on the single knob.

Below are from Megan Racing's own FAQ.;)

Spring Preload

Ride Height

Damper force

[Bimmerman325i]

so they're single adjustables only.

Start at .5-1" gap between tire and fender lip, adjust rear to dial in a bit of rake.

[DTFE30]

so they're single adjustables only.

Start at .5-1" gap between tire and fender lip, adjust rear to dial in a bit of rake.

Thanks! That's all I was looking for.

[TobyB]

The adjustable lower perch on those is only to set initial spring preload.

that's more than slightly whack- a - doodle.

t