ATTN: Rob McAuley ... Q about suspension

[ScotcH]

Hey Rob,

I'm just wondering how much M3 suspension stuff you have on your 328? I'm looking at the PIP schedule, and it looks like I'll end up in GT1 if I put on the following:

coil-over suspension: 6pip
m3 front sway bar: 1pip
m3 rear sway bar: 1pip
non-stock alignment (due to lowering): 1pip

total = 9 + 66.1 starting = 75.1 = GT1 :(

Should I leave one of the bars stock?

[Rob McAuley]

You could leave the rear sway bar stock, and rely on the stiff springs to get the rear-end to come around. I did that the first year I had the M3 suspension (with the old classification system).

You could get camber plates and use them to get your camber back to stock. I considered this, but backed out of the coil-over setup.

The manufacturers all say you can adjust at the track to add camber. The problem is that it messes up your Toe. I don't know how much, but the guys at Raven/Bavarian are dead against it.

If you're considering this, look at Ground Control. They have a better reputation than the K-Macs sold by Turner.

What coil-overs are you looking at?

GT2 will be tougher than ever!

[ScotcH]

Thanks for the info, Rob.

The kit I was looking at was the GC track/school kit, with single externally adj koni shocks and 500/600# springs. Unfortunately, the guy selling it backed out, so I'm looking at other stuff.

The TC Kline stuff looks really nice, but slightly more cash ... we'll see what the next couple of months brings :)

[GR8 Ride]

I'd actually go the other way around. I'd skip the front sway bar (mine is set to full loose anyway), and go with the stiffest rear sway bar you can.

These cars are prone to understeer heavily anyway, so use the rear bar to tune the push out of the car, and run it that way.

Use the springs to control body roll, and use the swaybars to tune the twitchiness of the suspension. With 500# springs up front (that's pretty stiff for a street car), you really won't need a big sway bar.

600# springs in the rear isn't particularly stiff (I run 900# springs), and my rear bar (24mm) is set to full stiffness.

So if you want to save the PIPs, then go with an aftermarket rear sway bar (either Eibach, UUC or Racing Dynamics are good choices), and skip the front bar altogether.



Pat

[Rob McAuley]

Something else to consider is the different geometry of the M3 setup.

The front sway bar attaches to the strut in the M3. The 328i/is bar attaches to the control arm, limiting its effectiveness (like clamping on to the middle of a lever instead of the end).

But just think what else you could do in GT1! Some serious lightening? Chip? M3 cams??

Use those PIPs!

[ScotcH]

Yeah, but I have to keep in mind that this is a new car, and I would like to be at east a little bit competative :)

I still have some time to decide, so we'll see. Thanks for all the input guys!

ps: Pat, if you have any parts left over from your car, let me know ... I may be interrested in some stuff!