alexw Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I picked up a set of German Engineering coilovers, which are much like the Ground Control "kit". Does anyone have experience with shortening strut housings? Any good welders here? I'm diving into this head first with no flipping clue as to what to do. From what I've read on r3vlimited, I don't HAVE to modify anything. But running shortened housings and shorter (iX) struts/shocks I'd be able to go lower... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I recommend getting at least a toe correction kit too for the rear subframe. Otherwise you'll eat tires like a monster. It's like $74 on rev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B C Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I picked up a set of German Engineering coilovers, which are much like the Ground Control "kit". Does anyone have experience with shortening strut housings? Any good welders here? I'm diving into this head first with no flipping clue as to what to do. From what I've read on r3vlimited, I don't HAVE to modify anything. But running shortened housings and shorter (iX) struts/shocks I'd be able to go lower... If you want to respect the roll centers of the car then I would suggest not slamming it. If you do, the springs and sway bars will need to be stiffer than they would normally need to be in order to keep body roll in control. I am going to go weigh my car again soon and calculate the roll-centers and try to determine exactly what is too low (at least for my car). At least with coilovers you have the option to slam it for looks then bring it to a more proper height for performance sake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
industrialsized Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 i can probably give you a hand with the lowz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M20_fever Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Here is a nice little write up o e if our members on e3p made: http://www.e30performance.info/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1408 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I should have clarified, I'm not looking for a slammed look. This guy on R3v has pretty much the setup I'd like: Finally posting. Car is 1991 318is m42 motorGE coils 450f 6"/650r 4.5"I.E. Race front camber platesBilstein sport strut/shockRolled/pulled fenderson 16x9 wheels et10Front is all the way downCurrently need to lower the rear a bit more http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg525/scaled.php?server=525&filename=screenshot20120424at115.png&res=landing http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg718/scaled.php?server=718&filename=screenshot20120424at112.png&res=landing P.S. Sig below: wheels are poked with 20mm spacers. making wheels et -10 and rear is lower about an inch. He didn't modify anything besides cutting the spring perches. I'm not sure that I have bilsteins sports though. I have to look. The other option is chop 2 inches off of the strut housings and run iX bilsteins which a member has for sale here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 ^That's a great height=) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I'm going to be running 16 inch wheels so that should be about right.But I think I'll have to cut the housings and just run the adjusters at a higher setting. And of course run the iX bilsteins...I just need someone with some expertise and tools lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 You had two e30 tourings? Never knew this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 You had two e30 tourings? Never knew this Doesn't come up in conversation very often... This was when I was living in Germany. I have photos somewhere, I'll post later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 WTF two e30 tourings??As for the welding aspect, isn't that something any competent machine shop could handle? I wouldn't trust just anyone with cutting/welding on my suspension... The pics you posted have perfect height too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
straight6pwr Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 wish i had a welder, i'd do it for ya.if you need a shopmilwaukee: pat kummrow @ kummrow automotivekenosha: steve tredup @ autosport (if he does fab, not sure) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I don't know that I want to waste money on having a shop do it. Maybe I'll have them modify the strut housings but nothing else.The guy who's car I posted, said all he did was cut off the spring perches, he's still running stock (well bilstein sport) struts and shocks.I'm not sure what I have for suspension right now, but it's definitely stock or oem replacement. I'm not looking to spend a ton.FullBannana has iX strut/shocks for me, but I'd have to do the cutting.... Idk.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Why can't you do exactly what the other man has done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 I'm not sure I have bilstein struts/shocks. I have to look. The concern is I may have some cheap stuff and it won't mate well with the camber plates. And won't be decent ride with the shorter springs.I could be wrong... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 I think I'm going to bite the bullet and do it the "right way" and shorten the strut housings. Anyone have any experience with that? Coilovers will be here tomorrow, just need the iX bilsteins from FullBanana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 And for good measure, photo of my WIFE'S E30 touring: (previous owners photos) It was a 94 318i, he did an M42 swap. It had a chip and a few other goodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan... Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Ok, I'm jelly... That looks super clean, and very tastefully done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 And my 318... An 88 that I got for $400 They both had euro weaves mounted at one point, I never really kept up with the mod list on these cars. We maintained them to some extent and then they both crapped out on us and were junked because we couldn't sell them before we left. Inspections were required prior to a sale of a car, so it was really a pain in the ass for sellers of subpar cars... No "as is" sales without a lot of BS to wade through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Why you no bring that back with you? You met your wife in Germany? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Dude, I'm sure you've looked into it at some point. The cars have to be a certain age (typically 20-25) the best conditioned one was a 94... So-Add the months of customs bullshit. Add that it had to be converted. Add the fact that they're rusty fucking cars (not just all e30's, but the touring's hatch is notorious for rust).... Add up the shipping cost ($1000+)... I could go on.It's not worth shipping a car from overseas. And I'm sure you haven't already forgot... I had an E30 M3, that was a little more exciting than a 80's station wagon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 And yes, I met my wife in Germany, she's American. For what it's worth, my daughter was born in Germany too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 So your daughter has dual citizenship or no? That'd be cool. And I didn't know the importing rules. Haven't really dug into that=P Now I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexw Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 No, she's American. They don't allow dual citizenship unless you pay $$$ and the kid stays there for a certain period of time.Importing is stupid. It's expensive and takes a long time. You're better off going to Canada. I think most of the tourings in the USA are Canadian. It seems to be easier. Also depends on where you register it. Some states seem to have lax rules if you import it as a collector car. Its a lot of work for s,etching that's really not that cool. A touring alone isn't very cool to me. Maybe an M-tech 2 touring with a swap. But we're talking big money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Or a touring on the cheap in Canada would be fun=) Hows the 318 treating you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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