[jun]

Does anybody have the part number for the 'top hat' that goes on the front strut assembly to connect it to the chassis?

I'd prefer not having to take the OEM strut assembly apart (as that would involve compressing springs) to be able to install coilovers. Instead I'd like to be able to swap in and out with ease. I am hoping it will make the installation process easier if I can have a shop mount my springs onto the front struts and assemble them - that way I can just pop them in.

In addition - are upgraded rear shock mounts recommended with the e9x? If so, what brand?

[JM3]

You need:

2 Guide support (upper mount) 31306775098 $125.53
2 dust collar 31331110196 $1.84
2 flat washer 31306763966 $4.24
2 upper spring plate 31336764093 $11.70
2 upper spring pads 31336767500 $2.23
2 Additional shock absorber, front (bump stops) 31336767333 $19.48
2 dust tubes (shrouds) 31331094749 $3.76
2 lower spring pads 31336764372 $1.85


You can buy camber / caster plates and bumpstops for just a few more bucks

[jun]

that's exactly what I was looking for. If I can buy camber plates for that much, I might as well go that route. Who makes a good camber plate?

[cpt97m3]

Originally Posted by jun

that's exactly what I was looking for. If I can buy camber plates for that much, I might as well go that route. Who makes a good camber plate?

I'm guessing JM3 will help you out. He is from Ground-Control. They have 3 different ones for the E9x cars.

[elijah]

Originally Posted by JM3

You need:

2 Guide support (upper mount) 31306775098 $125.53
2 dust collar 31331110196 $1.84
2 flat washer 31306763966 $4.24
2 upper spring plate 31336764093 $11.70
2 upper spring pads 31336767500 $2.23
2 Additional front shock absorber (bump stops) 31336767333 $19.48
2 dust tubes (shrouds) 31331094749 $3.76
2 lower spring pads 31336764372 $1.85


You can buy camber / caster plates and bumpstops for just a few more bucks

Great list of parts. Thanks for posting these but I'm wondering if this is the actual price of these parts? Are they branded or generic? Or do you have any good brands to suggest for these parts...?

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by elijah

Great list of parts. Thanks for posting these but I'm wondering if this is the actual price of these parts? Are they branded or generic? Or do you have any good brands to suggest for these parts...?

Go here and search by part number. http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...72&catalogid=0

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by jun

that's exactly what I was looking for. If I can buy camber plates for that much, I might as well go that route. Who makes a good camber plate?

Vorschlag:



Camber and Caster adjustable.

TC Kline:



Camber and Caster adjustable with Heim joint.

Ground Control:




Camber adjustment only. Uses some stock mounting hardware and isolation.

Out of the list I'd prefer Vorschlag for my PERSONAL NEEDS. But any of the three will be more than adequate for what you wish to accomplish.

[The HACK]

As for upgraded rear shock mounts, there's really no magic to it. The only thing that is worth upgrading on the shock mount is the ability to remove the shock from underneath the car. Companies like Vorschlag, Rogue Engineering, TC Kline, Ground Control all make an upgraded shock-mount with the crescent bracket that allows you to mount and dismount the shock from underneath the car rather than having to remove the interior trim in the trunk to get to the bolts. Just keep in mind, ANY upgraded shock mount material, especially anything harder than the typical urethan material, will make noise. Lots of noise. Especially bearing type replacement for race cars.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by jun

that's exactly what I was looking for. If I can buy camber plates for that much, I might as well go that route. Who makes a good camber plate?

Vorshlag plates are great and have different upper perches for the type of strut and spring diameter you will be using.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by The HACK

As for upgraded rear shock mounts, there's really no magic to it. The only thing that is worth upgrading on the shock mount is the ability to remove the shock from underneath the car. Companies like Vorschlag, Rogue Engineering, TC Kline, Ground Control all make an upgraded shock-mount with the crescent bracket that allows you to mount and dismount the shock from underneath the car rather than having to remove the interior trim in the trunk to get to the bolts. Just keep in mind, ANY upgraded shock mount material, especially anything harder than the typical urethan material, will make noise. Lots of noise. Especially bearing type replacement for race cars.

This is only for the E36/46 cars. E82/9x are much different.

[GaryS]

Dinan rear shock mounts are firmer and also shallower to add 10mm more travel. They make a very noticeable improvement in ride quality.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

This is only for the E36/46 cars. E82/9x are much different.

Oh snap. Should leave the "commentary" to the real experts here.

Did not realize that they made such a drastic change on the shocks.

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by elijah

Great list of parts. Thanks for posting these but I'm wondering if this is the actual price of these parts? Are they branded or generic? Or do you have any good brands to suggest for these parts...?

Look here too, I selected 06/09 for your build date but I think susp is the same.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...67&hg=31&fg=10

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Dinan rear shock mounts are firmer and also shallower to add 10mm more travel. They make a very noticeable improvement in ride quality.

Do you also realize that the oem load cushion(the bottom half of the mounting bushing) and rebound cushion(the top half of the mounting bushing)will crush to similar thickness as the Dinan version? The amount of crush is determined by the height of the spool, which are the same between the oem and Dinan. I don't see any potential gain in travel unless a shorter bump stop is used, at least not in the the 135/335/M3 without EDC. I have not seen the M3 EDC rear damper in person so I can't say whether travel is improved on that damper or not.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Do you also realize that the oem load cushion(the bottom half of the mounting bushing) and rebound cushion(the top half of the mounting bushing)will crush to similar thickness as the Dinan version? The amount of crush is determined by the height of the spool, which are the same between the oem and Dinan. I don't see any potential gain in travel unless a shorter bump stop is used, at least not in the the 135/335/M3 without EDC. I have not seen the M3 EDC rear damper in person so I can't say whether travel is improved on that damper or not.

Okay, I will revise to, Dinan rear upper shock mounts removed a significant amount of rear end bounce and made a noticeable improvement in ride quality in my car, which already had Performance springs, Performance bump stops, and FSD shocks.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Okay, I will revise to, Dinan rear upper shock mounts removed a significant amount of rear end bounce and made a noticeable improvement in ride quality in my car, which already had Performance springs, Performance bump stops, and FSD shocks.

I am still skeptical on the results.

Here is my reasoning...

The small amplitude motions with very high frequencies are met by both the load and rebound cushions. Larger amplitude motions from the suspension affect the cushions much less because their compliance is very small or have very little deflection. The larger amplitude motions, such as roll and pitch are control by the dampers. The potential for the Dinan cushions to give you improvement in ride quality is minimum if any in my opinion.

Maybe "Orb" would like to say something here...

[GaryS]

^^ Well it is easy enough to try. Besides me, I have only seen one post here from someone who installed Dinan rear shock mounts as a separate increment. He tried them on my advice and reported the same results. The difference it makes is not as big as say rear subframe bushings. It is about one-third to half that big a difference, but it is a completely positive improvement with no downside.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by GaryS

^^ Well it is easy enough to try. Besides me, I have only seen one post here from someone who installed Dinan rear shock mounts as a separate increment. He tried them on my advice and reported the same results. The difference it makes is not as big as say rear subframe bushings. It is about one-third to half that big a difference, but it is a completely positive improvement with no downside.

$99 is more than I would like to spend to simply try out the product.

It is easy enough to have them made from a rubber or urethane of higher durometer rating than oem. Perhaps I can engineer something that actually add compression travel.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

$99 is more than I would like to spend to simply try out the product.

It is easy enough to have them made from a rubber or urethane of higher durometer rating than oem. Perhaps I can engineer something that actually add compression travel.

You probably know, but here is what the 12mm Dinan kit looks like. I never actually saw mine (10mm), because the shop ordered and installed them.

BTW are you planning an M3 Strut Tower Brace kit for 135i?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by GaryS

You probably know, but here is what the 12mm Dinan kit looks like. I never actually saw mine (10mm), because the shop ordered and installed them.

BTW are you planning an M3 Strut Tower Brace kit for 135i?

10mm is for standard dampers. If you have external adjust dampers, you will need the 12mm.

Yes, we are thinking about making the kit - CNC or cast, neither one is cheap. The other solution is just a modfied M3 unit, which is what is on the car now.

[luckyu]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Do you also realize that the oem load cushion(the bottom half of the mounting bushing) and rebound cushion(the top half of the mounting bushing)will crush to similar thickness as the Dinan version? The amount of crush is determined by the height of the spool, which are the same between the oem and Dinan. I don't see any potential gain in travel unless a shorter bump stop is used, at least not in the the 135/335/M3 without EDC. I have not seen the M3 EDC rear damper in person so I can't say whether travel is improved on that damper or not.

I just picked up the 10mm Dinan mounts. The total height of the tube is the same, as you observe. But the Dinan mount uses a 3/16" spacer on the top. Together with the top rubber cushion the spacer uses more space at the top than stock. That leaves less space for the bottom cushion, which is much thinner and wider than the stock bottom cushion.

The stock cushions are made out of a material very similar to what bump stops are made out of, whereas the Dinan cushions are made out of rubber.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by luckyu

I just picked up the 10mm Dinan mounts. The total height of the tube is the same, as you observe. But the Dinan mount uses a 3/16" spacer on the top. Together with the top rubber cushion the spacer uses more space at the top than stock. That leaves less space for the bottom cushion, which is much thinner and wider than the stock bottom cushion.

The stock cushions are made out of a material very similar to what bump stops are made out of, whereas the Dinan cushions are made out of rubber.

A year has gone by, perhaps they made made some changes to their design?