Firstfives.org

Hey all, I'm getting ready to buy parts to build coil overs for my '75 e12. I would like to get some input from you guys that already have them.

Where is the best place to get the pieces I will need and what front strut inserts do I need with 2" shorter strut housings?

Thanks in advance.

Brent,
Check out the thread Jeff started. Really good information in there.

http://www.firstfives.org/bboard/viewtopic.php?t=2010

Yeah that's a good resource - i'll be adding my $0.02 to that thread when i've finished building mine.

I have purchased a 55mm kit (http://www.otomoto.com.au/p/4116536/hsd ... -kit-.html) a little more expensive than others out there but the quality is high, it comes with helper springs and I was able to specify spring rates. Locality was a factor too.

The rears are a simple affair - I am getting an additional slot milled into the strut for the original adjustable lower perch to sit on, I will then sit the sleeve & adjustable perch on that.

I'm unsure about front strut inserts, I plan to use a shorter adjustable koni (8641 1144SPORT) but can't be 100% sure they will fit. Specs say they should.

Here's a good thread if you haven't seen it:
http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=49181

Did you cut the front shock tower 2 inches to do the coilover conversion, if so, what was the part number of the new shocks? The old shocks would have been to long after the 2 inches were removed. Thanks


To: tech_forum@firstfives.org
Subject: Coil overs for my e12
From: bk_burnout@hotmail.com
Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:39:58 -0700

Hey all, I'm am getting ready to buy parts to build coil overs for my '75 e12. I would like to get some input from you guys that already have them.

Where is the best place to get the pieces I will need and what front strut inserts do I need with 2" shorter strut housings?

Thanks in advance.



Brent

'75 e12




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I really want coilovers for my car. What is the cheaper option than GC?

fast2002 wrote:Did you cut the front shock tower 2 inches to do the coilover conversion, if so, what was the part number of the new shocks?

I just received my set of Koni 8641 1144SPORT. They are for an E30, but the diameter is identical to the E12. As you mentioned they are shorter - so I will be removing this from the strut housings. Mine came with new gland nuts that fit the E12 (facelift) tubes perfectly.

I still want to be able to adjust my ride height up if need be, so i might not remove the full 2" from the housings. I may remove 1" and use a spacer below the insert.

BimBim2oo2 wrote:I really want coilovers for my car. What is the cheaper option than GC?

The GC kit is a good deal if you need to buy new shocks anyway - they come with Koni sports (I think) ... I've pieced my kit together & so far it has cost $800. I could have saved about half of that again by using cheaper springs/sleeves & by not using konis in the front.

bizz wrote:

fast2002 wrote:Did you cut the front shock tower 2 inches to do the coilover conversion, if so, what was the part number of the new shocks?

I just received my set of Koni 8641 1144SPORT. They are for an E30, but the diameter is identical to the E12. As you mentioned they are shorter - so I will be removing this from the strut housings. Mine came with new gland nuts that fit the E12 (facelift) tubes perfectly.

I still want to be able to adjust my ride height up if need be, so i might not remove the full 2" from the housings. I may remove 1" and use a spacer below the insert.

BimBim2oo2 wrote:I really want coilovers for my car. What is the cheaper option than GC?

The GC kit is a good deal if you need to buy new shocks anyway - they come with Koni sports (I think) ... I've pieced my kit together & so far it has cost $800. I could have saved about half of that again by using cheaper springs/sleeves & by not using konis in the front.

Everytime I look at the GC kit its 2k. Maybe im looking in the wrong area. I like the current setup I have now but I want more low

Yeah, i guess once you factor in the cost of shortening the housings, it pushes up towards 2k.

The problem with going low on stock struts it the fact that you essentially lose all shock travel with shorter springs. My current setup on the front has no travel and isn't really very low.

The rears aren't an issue, you can maintain travel whilst riding fairly low.

To reduce the ride height at the front whilst maintaining shock travel the only option is to shorten the housings to match a suitable shorter insert.

You could probably do this using your factory perches and springs if you didn't want to use a height adjustable sleeve/perch. Work out how much you want to drop the front - remove this from the strut tube, make sure the insert you buy is shorter than this & make up the difference with a spacer in the tube. Easy, right?

Call Jeremy @ Ireland Engineering - he will set you up. Much less than $2k for coilovers but your challenge will be matching damping rates with the stiffer springs. I'm using modified Bilstein Sports on my e12-based 635.