thequietracer

I thought I share the before and after pictures after the installation of Bilstein HD and H&R purple springs. Along with that the Urethane front control arm bushing kit by Chris Walrod were also installed.
The shop had some tough time with the bushing kit and the alignment that took longer than expected.
In the end, the performance was well worth it. She rides lower, firmer, more taut, no bouncing, equally smooth as the stock as well as the cornering that leave a smile on my face.

Laker

looking sweet! Nice job

993James993

Great Job! I just did a similar refresh and find that the car is much quieter with many of the squeaks and rattle gone.

Did you measure the 'after' ride height? The front looks to be a bit lower than mine.

BGLeduc

I was thinking the back looked a bit too high.

Brian

thequietracer

The shop has set the Bilstein height matched the factory, while the H&R lowered by 1.5 front and 1.3 rear.
Rear does look higher than it should but front is perfect. However, I am quite happy with the ride and handling I'll just leave it the way it is for now. From an appearance standpoint, you are right about the rear height to be higher than the front and certainly can be adjusted.
I am planning on replacing the front sway bar with H&R along with end links and when the time comes I'll have the shop lower the rear a bout an inch.

993James993

Two questions: Should'nt you change both sway bars so that they are matched?
Will you need to realign the car once you lower the rears?

vonk

Very nice!

mrsimpson

Looks good, what size tyres are they btw?

thequietracer

I measured the height, both front and rear are at the exact 25 1/4". but the distance between the tire and fender is off by about 1/2" (rear is higher).

I wish I had measured them a couple of days ago. I think she has settling down a bit. I will retake pictures again and repost.

She will need realignment as she pulls slightly to the right, I mean slight that does not bother me, so I'll wait until the sway bar is installed at which time will ask the shop to lower the rear by 1/2" between tire and fender

Tires sizes: 225/50R16 rear, 205/55R16 front..

c didy

Looking good. I guess ride height is most accurately measured from under the car instead of to the fenders as the latter is somewhat variable. Somewhere there are posts regarding these distances.

Makmov

Depends, usually the front bar is already good, and it needs a little more rear bar. Most of the time you just need a rear bar.

yes any time you lower it it changes camber and toe.

f3nr15

I'm always amazed at how much of an improvement a bit of lowering makes to the look of the car.

Are you going to stick with the stock Design 92 wheels?

I've been pining for a set of Cup Is, but really actually like the look on your lowered cab - perhaps I should just fix the stance and be done with it.

thequietracer

I actually like the stock wheel. Porsche wheels seem to match the style and model better sort of like BMW, though there are only few after market wheels styles that will look good on these cars.
I don't think I'll need to change the sway bar at this time since she handles fine (no track). The car seems to settling down the more I drive, so I'll wait a few weeks before having the shop realign and lower another .25".

______________________
74 2002 BMW - Resto-mod
87' 325IS BMW - Stock
03' Mini CS - Stock

chaso

Good angles of the car dad. Looking good. That would be the best to take out to Yallaha sometime.

Ken D

I think it looks great.
As for additional lowering in the rear, typically there is a small degree of rake front-to-rear (approx. 1 degree, but check the factory specs). The front will be lower, and the rear will sit higher for improved aerodynamics (less air under the nose). There will also be a small measure of compensation for squatting under acceleration.