- Joined
- Oct 19, 2014
- Points
- 174
- Model of Z
- 2.2i Sport
Thanks for that, was just wondering.
Do Coilovers increase clearance?
- Thread starter Duncodin
- Start date
Of course I saw the photo and I am fully aware they are not wider.
I suggested that spacers could push your tall tyre setup out 25mm further out. You would need to measure if that's enough to clear very tall tyres but since you don't want to do spacers, that takes away that option.
Coilovers it is.
Yes and no, they’ll have shorter stiffer springs, and increased damping rate.Thanks Ian. That's the kind of clearance I'mm looking for
Although. I am worried about how hard the ride would be. Are all coilovers basically 'sporty' and therefore hard?
However, the tyre is also a spring, spring medium to be pedantic. Larger sidewall, more compliance, depending on pressure used. Simplistic explanation anyway.
Thing about Coilovers is in your case you won’t be winding them down to lower the car, you’ll probably be winding them up to raise it. That would allow you to fit a ‘helper spring’. That’s usually a small flat spring to keep the main spring in place when heavily lowered. Thing is you can get them in almost any rate. If were me I’d fit the coilovers, find what height you want the car, measure the free space and fit a helper spring that would still leave maybe 5-10 mm of adjustment left. Id find whatever the standard spring rate for your model is, I’m sure it’s on here somewhere, and use that rate for the helper. You need to factor in 3mm for the platform between both springs. All small bumps would be absorbed by the tyre and helper, only large bumps by the stiffer spring.
If sceptical, this is my lads car, it has 24mm ground clearance and 10mm suspension travel.
By rights it should have a bone shaking ride, but after (very) much experimentation it’s more comfortable than both my MGB and my SLK. Mind you the suspension owes over 2 grand.
I don’t know I’m afraid, I did see it one here, but it was years ago, the up-rated ones are in the range 325-375lb/in so certainly less than that. If it’s listed in kg, multiply by 56 it’s not exact, but close enough.
If buying a set of Coilovers go for ones like these that already have a shorter main spring and a helper spring, first pic I saw on evilbay
That would save you having to buy the little spring platform, give you the longest standard rate spring and still leave you room to tailor the ride height.
If buying a set of Coilovers go for ones like these that already have a shorter main spring and a helper spring, first pic I saw on evilbay
That would save you having to buy the little spring platform, give you the longest standard rate spring and still leave you room to tailor the ride height.
Thanks Iain. How easy is it to swap out the helper? Are spring compressers necessary or can the adjuster nut be wound so far down that the springs are loose?
As for spring rates. Standard e90 are around >150lb/in up front. Seems low but that'll be the comfy road one. Sport seems to start over 300lb. From what I've been reading your idea of inserting a 'helper/tender' is spot on to get a nice progressive system.
As for spring rates. Standard e90 are around >150lb/in up front. Seems low but that'll be the comfy road one. Sport seems to start over 300lb. From what I've been reading your idea of inserting a 'helper/tender' is spot on to get a nice progressive system.
@IainP Those ProSport coilovers only seem to be available for E36 3 series. I know z3 is classed as an E36 but isn't the rear different? Or do all E36 springs fit Z3?
Edit
Having discussed with ProSport they say that the E36 Compact kit will fit Z3. But, they say, the Z3 has a much lighter rear than the Compact so the amount of lowering at the rear isn't the same - if any. Which is why they don't actually mention Z3 on any of their product spec/pages.
Edit
Having discussed with ProSport they say that the E36 Compact kit will fit Z3. But, they say, the Z3 has a much lighter rear than the Compact so the amount of lowering at the rear isn't the same - if any. Which is why they don't actually mention Z3 on any of their product spec/pages.
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To swap springs you just wind the locking collars down. No compressors needed. Worth getting a decent spanner though.
The front is pure e36, so any e36 coilover fits. I’m sure I have e36 rear springs at the rear with e36 adjuster. I’ll check my build thread.
Try just removing the rubber spring pads first, that may be all you need at the rear, most of the lowering springs are -30mm but they’re quite a bit harder than stock.
The front is pure e36, so any e36 coilover fits. I’m sure I have e36 rear springs at the rear with e36 adjuster. I’ll check my build thread.
Try just removing the rubber spring pads first, that may be all you need at the rear, most of the lowering springs are -30mm but they’re quite a bit harder than stock.
This is what I have next to a standard spring, there’s quite a difference. I’m fairly sure it’s e36 stuff
