Suspension Setups

[m3f_mk112288]

The title explains it all. Just wondering what people are running, and how do they like it? how streetable is it? and can you track it?



Thanks,

Mark

[m3f_SG_M3_d1201712b5]

Well what are you planning on doing with the car?



I have a Ground Control Race kit, 450/525 springs, camber plates, and UUC sways. Its a great setup. Its very nice for something that can pull daily driver and track time as well as it does. The ride, is well, firm to say the least. But its on track abilities more than make up for it.

[m3f_95RogueM3]

Sean,



How does the Race setup differ from the Track/School setup? Is the difference the reason why your ride is very stiff (as you seem to describe it).



I have talked to Rob @ Mpact and I think from his description I am going with the 450/525..but I dont want it to be too harsh (he described the 375/450 as about stock and the 450/525 as riding like an "m3 sport")



Thanks, sorry to always be asking you suspension questions.





-Richard

[m3f_SG_M3_d1201712b5]

It just the addition of camber plates. Technically the race kit is now AD shocks, i should have said Track/School kit + camber plates.



I used to have 375/450's on a different coilover kit. It was just that, stock like but firmer. IMO, 450/525 is the lowest i would go, anything lower is too much of a compromise on track. The 450/525 isn't that bad, its firm, but not rattle your teeth out.



I took my mom rode with me the other day, and she didn't say anything about the ride. But she drives an m5 to.

[m3f_'96 E36 M3]

Newbie question here, and sorry to hijack the thread, but what does 450/525 mean? Does that refer to some sort of dampening setting on the shocks or to the spring rates for the front and rear?

[m3f_95RogueM3]

It refers to the spring rates used in the front and rear. Coilover kits from GC are rated that way so you can pick the level of performance for your needs.



I believe the numbers are the pounds taken to compress the spring..a lower number meaning an easier spring to compress which will provide a smoother ride, and a higher number meaning its harder to compress the spring and therefore translates into a stiffer ride.



-Richard

[m3f_'96 E36 M3]

Makes sense. Are these numbers standardized across manufacturers, or do they apply only to Ground-Control?

[m3f_95RogueM3]

THey are across the board standards. Every spring has a certain compression rate at which it will compress.



Although H&R and Eibach dont list the compression rates of their springs..they too have certain rates at which their spriongs will compress (the difference between the H&R sport and Race springs is it takes alot more to compress the race spring than the sport..ie. the race spring takes more weight to compress)



I know I am describing this kind of awkwardly, as I dont have a firm grasp on the terms..just the idea of function.



GC lists spring rates with their coilovers because they give you a choice of going stiffer or softer with your ride, wheras H&R coilovers or Koni Coilovers only come with one factory rate (which I guess they dont feel like disclosing).



-Richard

[m3f_'96 E36 M3]

Actually, the way you explain it makes sense. Thanks.

[m3f_mk112288]

Sean,



How does the Race setup differ from the Track/School setup? Is the difference the reason why your ride is very stiff (as you seem to describe it).



I have talked to Rob @ Mpact and I think from his description I am going with the 450/525..but I dont want it to be too harsh (he described the 375/450 as about stock and the 450/525 as riding like an "m3 sport")



Thanks, sorry to always be asking you suspension questions.





-Richard

Wait when you refer to the Track/School kit are you refering to the one sold on bimmerworld?



Thanks,

Mark

[m3f_95RogueM3]

Wait when you refer to the Track/School kit are you refering to the one sold on bimmerworld?



Thanks,

Mark



Yep, it appears they are a Gc vendor as well.



I am going to buy my kit from Rob @ www.mpactmotorsports.com as he is very knowledgeable and can give great feedback for all of the spring rates he offers. I am actually buying the "Track plus Package" which is the Track/School kit with the addition of bump stops and GC RSM's..



-Richard

[m3f_CosmoM]

It just the addition of camber plates. Technically the race kit is now AD shocks, i should have said Track/School kit + camber plates.



I used to have 375/450's on a different coilover kit. It was just that, stock like but firmer. IMO, 450/525 is the lowest i would go, anything lower is too much of a compromise on track. The 450/525 isn't that bad, its firm, but not rattle your teeth out.



I took my mom rode with me the other day, and she didn't say anything about the ride. But she drives an m5 to.



Hi Sean,



Are you also running a strut tower brace? Dose it interfere with your camber plates?



-CosmoM-

[m3f_SG_M3_d1201712b5]

No, I'm not. But a friend has the JTD front bar and has no problems with it. The OEM ltw will fit and strong strut will also fit just fine.

[m3f_CosmoM]

I've read somewhere that the ltw bar only fits on cars w/out ACS+T. Do you know if that's the case?



Do you have the ltw crossbars for the underside of your M?



questions, questions,....

[m3f_iNcUbUs_21_0bcd67a730]

I'm thinking of running some H&R sport springs, but not sure of which shocks to pair them with. I've heard Koni or Bilstein. Which would you recommend? Would I need camber plates with this setup to ensure even tire wear?



Also, I don't want the rear to drop much lower than it is, maybe .75 inch, but the front could use a good inch and a half. Any way to prevent the rear from drooping so low?



Thanks.