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This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

Rear coil over?

19 Dec 2005, 4:57pm
I've been thinking about the rear spring alignment issue and thought of a more radical way to solve it!

Has anyone attempted to convert the Sportster's rear suspension to a coil over instead of the stock BMW layout?
21 Dec 2005, 12:15pm
I've emailed Gaz shocks who apparently do a coil over for the E30 rear. I'm waiting for them to get back to me now.

I found this while browsing which looks interesting:



The one thing I am worried about is if the mounts will be strong enough with all the weight of the back of the car on them.
23 Dec 2005, 2:13pm
Here's the email I recieved back from Gaz shocks. They didn't elaborate on spring rates and the sportster being a lot lighter than stock E30's but its a start!

Hi Patrick
we do make a coilover conversion for the E30 model the part no is GP8-2015
these cost £72.50 each with the spacers and we will require your rear top
mounts so we can convert these to rose bearings to take the spring load
these cost £40 each to convert.
kind regards
David Lyon
24 Dec 2005, 6:24pm
Coil-overs

Good find Patrick - the onlt thing is I don't see why we should have to shell out to fix what appears to be Marlins error....

I have tought of another approach - haven't taken a close look yet to see how practical it will be though. The theory is:

Cut off the existing stud on which the spring plate mounts and grind what is left flush to the chassis.
Mount (weld) the stud to a 2mm steel plate (My welding is rubbish but I know a man who can....)
Fix plate to chassis in CORRECT place using 6 M6 bolts and rivnuts. Most of the load is compressive so I think the fixing would be more than strong enough.

What do you think?
25 Dec 2005, 12:20am
That does sound like a good way to fix it. I can't weld at all, but the person who's going to paint it for me shares a workshop with a someone who can! I was going to get their opinion on what to do.

I see changing to coil overs as an upgrade over the standard suspension, but yes they should be in the right place from the factory.