Lowering springs z3 coupe

[longlivekel]

Hey Guys.
I know this is beating a dead horse but I cannot find my answer. Surfed the web four hours over the last week, still no answers to what I am looking for. Currently my car has gaz coilovers in the front and gaz progressive lowering springs in the rear (standard style spring). My rear bottoms out quite a bit and it is driving me nutz. I took the wheels off and increased the dampener on the shocks after raising the ride height 3/4". While down there doing so, i noticed some of the paint was missing on the springs where they collapsed before binding.
I contacted Gaz and they stated that they usually send out 250lb rated springs in the rear. From that moment on I knew these had to go.

Which rear lowering springs do you guys recommend... Eibach pro kit or H&R sport? I am looking for that 1.25" drop in the rear, if that is too much I do have the perch adjusters to resolve it. I was also reading that the eibach ride much smoother due to the type of steel used for the springs. OR.. Do you guys recommend going to a 2.5" ID spring and use a perch adapter?

Thanks!

[bluptgm3]

Spring rates are really not driven by type of steel in as much as the number of windings, constant or progressive pitch, and wire diameter (and taper.)
Most springs use the same steel, some might be using a 'patented' small variation of steel for springs.

Raising with ride height adjusters does little for rate.

Have a look at the Koni based kit from Ground Control or TC Kline.

<snip> While down there doing so, i noticed some of the paint was missing on the springs where they collapsed before binding.

The missing paint IS evidence of coil bind. You most likely need a stiffer spring, but want to match dampening.

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[ZoO]

mind posting a side shot of your car now.

how much higher from its current setting did you want to go.

i ask because like some of us on here, we run springs with no adjustable spring perch. im running a 6" spring with no adjusters. you may be able to run a linear springs without adjusters, and it might solve your problem.

[khammack]

I would call TC Kline (http://www.tcklineracing.com/index.cfm?Action=HomePage) and tell them what you would like to achieve and they should be able to tell you what you need to get there.

[longlivekel]

My goal is close to this look. Currently mine sits lower and is quite harsh in the rear. I want to refine the rear on ride comfort.
suspension_z3_coupe_hr_sp_lg.jpg
This pic is from the HR spring reference pic. I am trying to make sure I buy a better spring rate than what I have (yet also lowering) and then figure out what i need to do with the front spring.
It looks to be a 6" tall spring currently on there. This is close to what I measured when i had it up on jacks.
Thanks!
kel

[ZoO]

thats not low at all. if you have GAZ coilovers, they should come with adjusters... measure the diameter of the adjuster, its usually 60mm or 2.5. either way buy some 6 inch springs from hypercoil, eibach, pac racing, swift, with < 475lb springs. i have a couple of sets of 6 inch springs if you are interested, just shoot me a PM.

[longlivekel]

I have Coilovers in the front and standard lowering springs in the rear. When i get to the front coilovers I will hit you up, as of right now i am trying to sort the rear springs.

[ZoO]

I was talking about the rear springs.... I have front and rear 6" Springs.

[bluptgm3]

I have Coilovers in the front and standard lowering springs in the rear.

LOL!!! Even the factory struts are of "coil over" design. Are the rears (factory like) beehive design, 60mm/2.25 linear design?



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[longlivekel]

LOL!!! Even the factory struts are of "coil over" design. Are the rears (factory like) beehive design, 60mm/2.25 linear design?

-_______-
They are 2.25 ID LINEAR coil overs for the front and progressive "beehive" in the rear.

I was talking about the rear springs.... I have front and rear 6" Springs.

From your experience. How do you like the linear spring? What type of adapter or perch are you using?

Thanks,
Kel

[ZoO]

6 Inch rear spring, no adjuster. I love how the rear end feels. Started with 475lbs, on 500 now, and I have 600 waiting to go on.

[danomite]

6 Inch rear spring, no adjuster. I love how the rear end feels. Started with 475lbs, on 500 now, and I have 600 waiting to go on.

What make of springs? Hypercoil?

[ZoO]

What make of springs? Hypercoil?

i have used, ground control(eibach), hypercoil, and swift springs. currently i am on hypercoil springs.

[Remotion]

H&R cup kit, cant go wrong.

[longlivekel]

I paid close attention to my suspension feel on the way into work this morning. I live in KC so the roads are complete sH.IT. Every bump in the road was quite jolting. Quite sharp and jolting.. When it hits a hefty bump the spring fully collapses. I do know they fully collapse cause the paint is missing on the spring where it has bound up.
This is just some info on what I am currently battling.

[ZoO]

i think your spring is too short, coupled with the fact that its a 250lb spring, causing the coil to fully compress and hitting the bump stops. now California roads arent that great in some areas, but this weekend i was about to go for a drive and i would have to say i was surprised at how well my car felt over smooth roads (i love how coilovers feel), but rough roads..., it was far from ok. i felt this with 475lbs as well, so if you want to avoid this, maybe a 7" 375-400lbs in the rear? again this is just my personal experience, you can always buy some used springs, CL or classifieds here, and try them out. its a bolt on each side to release the lower shock bolt to swap out the spring ( unless you run a short <6 inch spring, and you can change out springs with a single lift of the rear, no tools needed.

[danomite]

i think your spring is too short, coupled with the fact that its a 250lb spring, causing the coil to fully compress and hitting the bump stops. now California roads arent that great in some areas, but this weekend i was about to go for a drive and i would have to say i was surprised at how well my car felt over smooth roads (i love how coilovers feel), but rough roads..., it was far from ok. i felt this with 475lbs as well, so if you want to avoid this, maybe a 7" 375-400lbs in the rear? again this is just my personal experience, you can always buy some used springs, CL or classifieds here, and try them out. its a bolt on each side to release the lower shock bolt to swap out the spring ( unless you run a short <6 inch spring, and you can change out springs with a single lift of the rear, no tools needed.

ZoO,

You mentioned having several sets of rear springs, in varying rates...any chance you'd be willing to help a fellow Coupie out by allowing me to test (and possibly/probably) buy one of the sets? I have a completely one-off Bilstein PSS9 set-up, and I've been wanting to try out some slightly different spring rates and lengths.

Where in Socal are you located? I'm in the LA area.

Cheers

[Telecomtodd]

I have Ground Control coilovers with Koni inserts, 500# springs on all four corners. Tight ride, but that's how I like it. They are a little noisy (as most coilovers are due to movement), but the control is terrific.