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Thread: Spring Advice

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Spring Advice

    I am prepping a 1993 BMW 325 (E36 - 4 door) for a race series, we are only allowed OEM replacement shocks like the KYB Excel-G but the springs are free. The car will only be tracked so I'm not worried about the ride. What springs would people recommend I fit with this to get it stiffer and control body roll, H&R Race or Sport? Or Eibach Pro Kit or something else?
    Last edited by kab343; 12-09-2019 at 01:58 PM.

  2. #2
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    Spring Advice

    I would go with highest level Koni Sport Shocks (shortened shock shaft) and H&R Race Springs.


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    Last edited by bluptgm3; 12-09-2019 at 08:17 PM.

  3. #3
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    I don't know...the HR Race are SO low, and without a proper damper, I'd seriously think about HR sport.

  4. #4
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    Coilover conversion kit acceptable? Probably some linear springs with 350/450 rate to start and then go firmer until you start losing time? I wouldn't waste time with ots springs if you can customize rates with a coilier spring conversion kit.

  5. #5
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    We're not allowed any form of adjustable shock or strut. It is meant to be OEM equivalent which rules out the Koni Sports as well, as they would be an improvement.

    And yes, the lowness is part of what I'm worried about with H&R race, still need some suspension travel for the car to work correctly. I haven't been able to find any actual spring rates for the different models, it seems like the sport might be the best match. Are the Eibach pro-kit springs softer that H&R sport?

  6. #6
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    From years ago, multiple searches, and the reliability of the webness, I recorded this:

    HR OE & Sport Springs:
    200 lb front, 380 lb rear

    Eibach Pro-Kit
    148 lb Front, 428 lb Rear

  7. #7
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    I think you misunderstood. A coilover conversion kit such as this:https://groundcontrolstore.com/colle...-chassis-95-00

    The shocks could be OE equivalent but the springs would be more easily customizable by adding these.

  8. #8
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    OE M3 struts (Sachs) and H&R OE Sport springs are your best bet. That should keep you off the bump stops. Tune the roll/grip with your bars.
    Dave
    '18 RAM 2500 Laramie Cummins
    '15 Pure White VW Touareg TDI
    ///'95 Avus M3 S54B32 Race car -- 2022 ProAutoSports PS1 Champion
    ///'72 Chamonix 2002 (Restoration project)

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by kab343 View Post
    We're not allowed any form of adjustable shock or strut. It is meant to be OEM equivalent which rules out the Koni Sports as well, as they would be an improvement.
    Then Bilstein Sports are probably a better choice.


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  10. #10
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    Yes M3 struts is what I'm leaning towards as well, I think I'll get away with those as they'll look factory. Just have to try and find some! Why OE sport? To retain a little more travel? Looks like the OE sport have the same rate but lower the car less than the Sport?

    Were Bilstein Sports a factory option?

  11. #11
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by kab343 View Post
    Were Bilstein Sports a factory option?
    No. And of course they're yellow, an inverted design, and generally not stock looking. ;-)

    Fine shocks though.

    Neil

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by NeilM View Post
    No. And of course they're yellow, an inverted design, and generally not stock looking. ;-)

    Fine shocks though.

    Neil
    I would argue the they are more OE than COs or a CO conversion.
    They are a tube with a welded on spring perch and brackets.


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  13. #13
    Def's Avatar
    Def is offline Lead Disagreement Eng PE
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    Bilsteins are as drop in as other OE replacements like KYB GR2s, but a *much* better damper. Especially with higher spring rates, you want a better damper.

    If you have to use drop in springs of the same dimensions as stock, the H&R OE Sports are probably the best options as mentioned. You need to stay off the bumpstops in corners, and at such light rates, you need travel to do that. The OE Sports give a slight bump over stock rates, and just slightly lower the car so they work ok. H&R Sport or Race drop the car too much for the rate increase they provide over stock.

    If you can go with stiffer sway bars, definitely reinforce the sway bar mounts and add the stiffest bars you can manage to help control body control. If you can't touch sway bars, I'd probably add a slightly longer bump stop to give you a more progressive spring rate increase as things really roll over. If the bumpstops are not super aggressive, it's not a bad thing to use them in your suspension tuning.

  14. #14
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    It's time to refresh the rear shocks on my E36 M3 race car. The current shocks are Bilstein Group N, which Tuner originally installed on the car. Turner now tells me these shocks are no longer available for the rear. Any idea where I could get replacements? If not, is there a reputable shop that can do fast rebuilds? The rear springs are H&R 140-60-140 race springs.

  15. #15
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    Dont know anything about replacement shocks, but on the porsche world they highly recommend a shop called Glenn Yee Motorsports for the gt3 bilstein rebuilds/revolves. Might be worth a call to check pricing and turn around times.

  16. #16
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    Ordered a set of MCS single adjustable shocks. Rebuild time for the Bilsteins was too long. Will let everyone know how it goes.

  17. #17
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    What was the rebuild timeline? How much did the MCS run ya?

  18. #18
    Join Date
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    Bilstein quoted 12-14 weeks!

    This is the MCS kit: https://www.bimmerworld.com/MCS-E36-...amper-Set.html
    Basically, an entry level kit as far as MCS goes, but highly recommended by BimmerWorld.

    I run 685/800 lb springs (F/R), and BW tells me these shocks come standard with enough range of adjustment to accommodate my springs and more, if I were to increase stiffness later. So no custom valving needed. I like the fact that they are rebuildable, with hopefully better turnaround times than Bilstein.

  19. #19
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    good move, MCS is local here and they seem like a great company, I only hear good things on their support services.
    TRM Coilovers 670F/895R | BBS LM | Corsa RSC36

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