Standard shocks with race springs?

[Jay-Vee]

Hi people 

Looking to find a relatively affordable way to get my E30 onto the track and was wondering if restoring the suspension and shocks with all standard gear, except for some race springs (H&R or similar) would work out?

I'm no suspension guru (or any guru for that matter) but I've got a feeling I have the 45mm struts, so avoiding a swap to larger 51mm struts would be good news for my wallet... :p

Any advice appreciated

[Nick_318is]

I believe that will cause your struts to fail early.  Best bet would be a set of H&R springs and match them with Bilstein Sport or Koni struts.

[Jay-Vee]

Thanks!  Do u know of what options I have for the 45mm struts? I could only see options for the 51mm...

[SkidMark]

I ran a set of h&r springs with KYB struts in a street/track e30 car and it worked great! The KYB part number for the 41mm strut housing is 363044. They are the gas adjust model, nitrogen filled. They are not as expensive as the billsteins or konis but I have had good luck with them. Like $50 ea!! I am actually running a set of KYB's in a coil-over in my e21 320i race car.  Works great.. less expensive.. (sounds like a beer commercial). Hope this helps!!!...Skid

[Jay-Vee]

Great advice thanks SkidMark (and thanks Nick too for pointing out what I should have already known)

So I just looked a bit harder and did find some options for the 41mm (should have just done that first too).

KYB sounds like a good option though, its not going to be subject to any real hard track work, and my wallet agrees too! :p

[Esprit Motorsports]

Ran our 'stock header turbo build' E30 318is in Zone 1 PCA at Watkins Glen June 7-8 2014 with H&R 2 inch lower race springs, 2) 9 mm rubber spring bushings up front 1) 10 mm and 1) 3 mm in the rear.

All other suspension parts are stock. The front struts were Monroes (least expensive) installed in 2011 and rear shocks before the PCA event with matching cheap Monroes for $15.00 each...Haha!

This is used on street and track and is a fantastic set-up for both.

My son was signed off for solo. The instructors were both very happy with the feel of the car and remarked "it is a great platform". This was only his second DE event. Uploading youtube video of a solo run. I will add it here when finished.