Out with the old

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/IMG_0679.jpg

and in with the IE coilovers :buttrock

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/IMG_0752.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/IMG_0779.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/IMG_0778.jpg

The fronts were the easiest to install although I forgot to mention to Jeremy that I have a stress bar so the bolts for the adjustable camber plates were a bit to small. Luckily there is a great machine shop close by that had exact matches that were 1/4" longer.
The rears on the other hand took a bit more than anticipated. My rear hubs were stuck on and since I dont have access to a impact wrench I had to unbolt the drum with the hub still attached and slide it forward to hammer out the stock shock bolt.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/IMG_0775.jpg

A special trip to Home Depot scoared me the drill bit I needed to open the hole up to accept the larger bolt provided in the kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/IMG_0774.jpg

The only strange thing I encountered with the rear is the amount of force I had to push on the coilover to get them bolted top and bottom. I originally bolted the bottom first and then realized the top was not lined up with the shock tower opening. So then I bolted the top first and had to push alot on the bottom to get it on to the bolt. Anyone with IE's have to do the same thing?
Also wondering if there is a torque spec for the lower shock bolt pictured here.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v709/vtbmw525/IMG_0796.jpg

The last thing I want it to do is back out. The bolt doesnt pass through the entire nut. :confused

From what I understand, as long as the bolt threads into the nut the equivalant of the width of the bolt, you'll be ok. Looks like I'd use some thread locker on that, just to be safe. Another thought, have a machne shop make a set of tapered washers and use a thin nyloc nut. It looks like they used a lug nut on the rear lower coil-over.

Cris

Sweeeeet! Did you get the fronts shortened and have some camber added (bent)? Are those the rears that Ireland are selling now???

I had no idea they had them now. When I bought my adjustable coilovers from them the rears were a weld in application and had a terrible ride. So I just opted for the Bilsteins and race springs for the rear. I have the same setup as you in the front and I know you will be really happy with them.
VTBimmer, its like you keep improving what is already improved, awesome car:thumbup:

Sweeeeet! Did you get the fronts shortened and have some camber added (bent)? Are those the rears that Ireland are selling now???
Yeah, Jeremy shortened them 2" and bent to -1 degree camber. Those are the newly designed rear coilovers from IE.

VTBimmer, its like you keep improving what is already improved, awesome car:thumbup:
Thanks! Yeah, its a problem of mine. I cant leave well enough alone. But seriously, the suspension in this car was horrible so anything would have been a improvement. Im starting to have the same problem as it looks like your having..... hmm which bimmer to take today. :lol

When the ride height is set, take pics and post them please. That front spoiler looks like it needs to be closer to the asphalt about 2 inches with the previous set-up.

Cris

When the ride height is set, take pics and post them please. That front spoiler looks like it needs to be closer to the asphalt about 2 inches with the previous set-up.

Cris
Yup, I will. Just have to wait for IE. Jeremy was supposed to send some spacers but it must have slipped his mind and he's been gone since Thursday. Originally I needed spacers for the front because they were touching the strut housing while the rears were fine. Now the fronts dont touch (I think because of the bend) and the rears are touching the springs. I just ordered some 215-50-13 tires and Im wondering if that may help save some space. The tires on it now are 235's. With the previous setup you are correct. There was quite a ass sag while the front seemed to high.

Cris, for some reason I dont see your post on here but I got the e-mail on it.
I wanted adjustability in the camber to save tread life on the street and add camber for the track. Now that I think about it, thats probably why the fronts are not touching. I havent set the camber yet and I think they are all the way negative. I was originally going with GC's front setup but Ali was in between moving and such so I opted for IE's. How do you like the GC's?

Ground Control makes great parts. I'm extremely happy. Although Ali was a great resource at Ground Control for '02's, he's not the only one there with vast suspension knowledge. Jay and Dale are huge fans of the BMW marque. I'm not sure where Ali ended up, I think Dinan the last I heard. I hope he does well there. If there is any Ground Control product you need, let me know. I own a warehouse just south of him in Pleasanton. You can look at the brands I'm a master wholesale distributor for on aftermarket.com. Its just a list of brands as we don't usually do any retail.

Cris

The last e-mail I recieved from Ali was confirming that he now works for Dinan. He says that he is developing lots of new suspension bits for the '02 that we can expect to hear about on the faq.

I got a peek of what he was working on. I also made some suggestions on bushings and such that I'd like to see. Hopefully some of his parts will be available soon. I'm wondering how the finished product will end up.

Cris

I'm wondering how the finished product will end up.

Cris
After seeing the work on the advance design coilovers Im pretty sure whatever he does will be nothing short of spectacular.

Oh yeah and......A PEEK?? What did you see?!! Or is it top secret. Dont worry, I wont tell :devillook

Once you see them, you'll want them. We'll have to see if GC or Dinan will market them. I saw them when he was still with GC.

Cris