Just finished installing GC coilovers. I believe they are race ones because I was quoted $1800 as the original new price and they have the GC race
camber plates also. I'm in the process of getting everything adjusted and am concentrating on ride height now. Front's are good, maybe even a tad
low (~12 in) and the rears are at twelve on the dot. GC quotes good heights at 12.25 front and 11 rear. Now my problem is that the rear ride
height adjusters are about two maybe three turns from the lowest they will go so I just can't see getting another inch out of them. There is maybe a
third of an inch of thread left. Any suggestions as to how to drop the rear some more?

Side:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb228/bone_stock_e36/IMG_3526.jpg


Front:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb228/bone_stock_e36/IMG_3532.jpg

Rear:
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb228/bone_stock_e36/IMG_3530.jpg

Oh and before install just for kicks: (THIS IS STOCK! BEFORE COILOVERS! I DON'T HAVE A THREE INCH WHEEL GAP ON ONE SIDE AND TUCKED ON THE OTHER!)
http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb228/bone_stock_e36/CAR_before.jpg

I'm confused?
Rally Ride??? What's that?
Why does it look like the drivers side is sitting much higher?
Sounds like these are some of the Asian things.

I'm confused?
Rally Ride??? What's that?
Why does it look like the drivers side is sitting much higher?
Sounds like these are some of the Asian things.


OK to clarify, rally ride means nice and high like the stock suspension. Some call it 4x4. Lots of wheel gap between tires and fenders like an offroad truck
or a rally car. I was calling my siuation as such because the ride height was too high (obviously a slight exaggeration). Like this:

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb228/bone_stock_e36/2005_Subaru_Impreza_rallycar_fronts.jpg

The last picture is STOCK! This is a BEFORE picture, BEFORE the
coilovers were installed. Both sides are exactly the same as in the first three pictures.

Oh and what does this have to do with Asia?

... got it.

I see they are ground control. Missed that.
Most coilovers that come with camber plates are a generic asian design. Being you seemed to have fitment issues I was assuming. Sorry.
What length springs are on them? If you want to go lower and have no more adjustment, AND the shocks themselves have the travel to actually do lower, then change springs maybe.

Springs are six inches. Shocks are Koni SA with the shortened body.

Joe,
I don't remember what spring lengths you have, but there are several solutions to your problem:

1. remove the rear ride height adjuster entirely and let the spring sit on the lower control arm itself. this gives another 1/2" or so
2. lower the rear ride height adjuster all the way and raise the front enough so the front to rear rake is correct
3. get different length springs or lower the spring rate. when i was using 700lb springs they were 5.5" tall. i believe you have the 600lb, 6" tall

Each turn of the rear adjusters lowers the rear about 3/16". 6" springs are probably too long if you want to get 11" in the rear. How stiff are your rear springs? If you don't have the shortened rear shocks and 600+ lbs-ft springs in the rear, 11" is probably too low.

BTW, GC has more than one version of the "shortened" rear shocks. There is the normal "shortened" and an even shorter one. You want the extra-short one.

Joe,
1. remove the rear ride height adjuster entirely and let the spring sit on the lower control arm itself. this gives another 1/2" or so
2. lower the rear ride height adjuster all the way and raise the front enough so the front to rear rake is correct


1) This seems like it would be unstable. I know that the weight of the car will keep the springs in place and under compression but it seems like they
have the possibility to shift under some circumstances. Is this a real concern?

2) IIRC, rake should be 3/4 difference front to back (rear being higher). Is this correct? Also, where are these measurements taken?

How stiff are your rear springs?

Rears are 600lb, 6 in, 2.5 diameter. Fronts are 500lb, 6 in, 2.5 diameter.

BTW, GC has more than one version of the "shortened" rear shocks. There is the normal "shortened" and an even shorter one. You want the extra-short one.

Anyway to tell which ones I have? Part numbers, etc?

To sit that low with rear ride height adjusters in place on an E36 you will likely need 5.5" free length springs, as mentioned earlier. An 11" ride height in the rear is pretty dang low.

Anyway to tell which ones I have? Part numbers, etc?

There are the numbers that I was able to pull off the rear shock. The length measurements are approximate and taken from the center of the eye mount to to there end of the piston shaft (but before the threaded section).

3305
8241
1225spgc
compressed length: 13 7/8"
extended length: 22 11/16"

An 11" ride height in the rear is pretty dang low.

That's what I was thinking too. Didn't seem like a real street friendly setup if it's that low (not that that's what this setup is intended for anyway though.)

Thanks for all suggestions guys. I'll try to drop the rear some more with the adjusters still in and raise the front some. I'd rather have the front come up a
little than try most of the other things to get the rear down more (no adjuster, new springs, etc.)

GC recommendation for street setup is 13" Front and 11.75" Rear and thats on shortend shocks and struts(GC Track/School CO Kit or Race Kit)

Not sure if i mentioned this when i talked to you but, rear springs in the e30 were significantly smaller than the front. From what you said yours are the same height all around.

I know this doesn't really help you, but I thought I'd pass that along. That at least means there's nothing wrong really other that a lack of a real range of adjustment in the back.


ps
:69:boobies:deadhorse::babyd

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