Strut Mount and Camber Plate Comparison

[bigjae46]

I'll ask again what the reason is, but he actually said the plates wouldn't work when I asked about GC Streets(m3 version).

The non-M vorshlag plates allow for more than -3.0 degree camber at close to stock height. You lose caster but the Vorshlag plate has enough caster to get back to around 7.5 degrees.

[bavarian3]

Just guessing here, but I bet it has to do with 14mm versus 16mm shaft and/or maybe the square shoulder (koni) versus tapered (bilstein).

I solved my issue (that TMS plates only work with 16mm not 14mm - my MCS are 14mm) by using some bronze bearings that were 14mm ID and 16mm od. It perfectly picked up the slack and filled out the TMS bearing 16mm ID.

If anyone has a specific question about fitment or compatability, feel free to PM me. Once I know the details, I bet I can figure it out.

I tried to probe further and will wait to hear back. If it was the shaft diameter though would non-m plates make a difference ?

[Tbonem3]

Just guessing here, but I bet it has to do with 14mm versus 16mm shaft and/or maybe the square shoulder (koni) versus tapered (bilstein).

I solved my issue (that TMS plates only work with 16mm not 14mm - my MCS are 14mm) by using some bronze bearings that were 14mm ID and 16mm od. It perfectly picked up the slack and filled out the TMS bearing 16mm ID.

If anyone has a specific question about fitment or compatability, feel free to PM me. Once I know the details, I bet I can figure it out.

[bavarian3]

Odd. It looks to me like Ground Control will make them to accommodate the smaller TCK strut shaft and 60mm spring. Please let us know what he says.

There is also talk that E36 top hats will work on the E46 with the TCK SA's, but I cannot find exact details on what is required to make it fit.

He's short with his words over email, here is a direct quote from today:

"Non-M plates are needed because the dimensions are different and the M plates don’t fit with our struts."

I don't know what's right or wrong here, just passing along info he's given me. If you or Tbonem3 is knowledgable enough to have this conversation with him and decypher what's really going on he does answer the phone.

It would be super helpful for me as I'm on the verge of purchasing suspension parts.

[oceansize]

Good info here, well done!

I've used GC street plates and despite claims that they don't introduce NVH, they absolutely did. Not only were they much harsher than OE strut mounts, they clunked really badly. I tried two sets of brand new units and they both clunked. I had the street version with the B12 kit. I installed them properly using all provided hardware, tried both with and without OE strut spacer, but they still clunked. Not sure how this is acceptable to those who use them but I wouldn't recommend them. I replaced them with OE strut mounts and all clunking went away. I only used these to increase bump travel but to be honest, I found the harshness of the GC plates worse for compliance than the reduced travel with B12 kit when using OE strut mounts.

That's a weird one. I've got GC street with the GC coilovers and I have no clunk and if they introduced NVH I didn't notice. Around 8k miles on them currently (not a track car).

[PetrolM3]

Good info here, well done!

I've used GC street plates and despite claims that they don't introduce NVH, they absolutely did. Not only were they much harsher than OE strut mounts, they clunked really badly. I tried two sets of brand new units and they both clunked. I had the street version with the B12 kit. I installed them properly using all provided hardware, tried both with and without OE strut spacer, but they still clunked. Not sure how this is acceptable to those who use them but I wouldn't recommend them. I replaced them with OE strut mounts and all clunking went away. I only used these to increase bump travel but to be honest, I found the harshness of the GC plates worse for compliance than the reduced travel with B12 kit when using OE strut mounts.

[Tbonem3]

I've never used non M plates.

[oceansize]

I feel like Tbonem3 would know. He seems to have experimented with a lot of different suspension setups.

[D-O]

I'll ask again what the reason is, but he actually said the plates wouldn't work when I asked about GC Streets(m3 version).

Odd. It looks to me like Ground Control will make them to accommodate the smaller TCK strut shaft and 60mm spring. Please let us know what he says.

There is also talk that E36 top hats will work on the E46 with the TCK SA's, but I cannot find exact details on what is required to make it fit.

[bavarian3]

You can run non-M plates and get a significant increase in negative camber. Perfect for track, probably too much for street driving.

I'll ask again what the reason is, but he actually said the plates wouldn't work when I asked about GC Streets(m3 version).

[bigjae46]

On a side note, I mentioned this to TCK and he said to run non-M camber plates.

I plan to get DA's and want to figure out the best camber plate solution.

You can run non-M plates and get a significant increase in negative camber. Perfect for track, probably too much for street driving.

[bigjae46]

They do have a great reputation, but won't they be pretty harsh on the street?

Not really. No worse than other plates.

[bavarian3]

Bringing it back from the dead. Did the Ground Control perch work with the Turner plates? I am getting ready to go TCK SA and I would like to use the Turner plates but they no longer offer the 60mm spring perches. I believe the TCK's have 14mm shafts, so that may present a problem as well.

On a side note, I mentioned this to TCK and he said to run non-M camber plates.

I plan to get DA's and want to figure out the best camber plate solution.

[D-O]

Vorshlag is the answer for this. Only one that doesn't have that crap roller ball thrust bearing.

They do have a great reputation, but won't they be pretty harsh on the street?

[bigjae46]

Vorshlag is the answer for this. Only one that doesn't have that crap roller ball thrust bearing.