coilover setup question

[kilgojr]

Stats:

2300 lb. RWD car
Bilstein Sport (non adjustable dampers)
very stiff adjustable sway bar (front and rear)
225 tire on a 7.5" rim

what kind of spring rates would be ball park for autocross/track time in this area (BRC, TGPR, Barber, etc.)

Any help would be appreciated.

[engled]

For your bimmer? Spring rates for one car don't transfer well to another because of where the spring may attach to the lower control arm. The effective rate will be different.

Here is a good explanation...

http://www.tech-session.com/kb/index.php?article=39

Also, don't go stiffer than your shock can handle, Bilsteins can be re-vavled rather cheaply (when compared to a Koni) or so I have been told.

EDIT: Better explanation, scroll down to "Wheel Rate"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspension_(vehicle)

[kilgojr]

yeah its for the bimmer. The problem I am running into is that i can't get a good grasp of what others are running on e30's like mine because the people who track them or autocross them won't let out what their setup is, and those that will tell you are generally the people who drive their cars everyday and only care about dropping their cars as low as possible and running a 225 on an 11" wide rim or something stupid like that.
I was just looking for some general advice on what to do. I wasn't sure if with a weight, design of setup, etc if a coil rate could be advised upon.

Thanks for the info Darryl, that is good stuff.

[JohnW8]

Send a email to Chuck Baader. He races an E30 in ITA and does very well. he may offer some advise for the BMW.

You can find his info here:

http://www.alscca.org/community/showthread.php?t=905

[toddgreene]

Send a email to Chuck Baader. He races an E30 in ITA and does very well. he may offer some advise for the BMW.

You can find his info here:

http://www.alscca.org/community/showthread.php?t=905

Ditto...

Or check out the specs for a NASA Spec e30???

Todd

[chuck schultz]

http://www.spece30.com/

[zukitek]

Send a email to Chuck Baader. He races an E30 in ITA and does very well. he may offer some advise for the BMW.

You can find his info here:

http://www.alscca.org/community/showthread.php?t=905

What John said ...Chuck has e30s figured pretty good .Seriously!!

When you are figuring spring rate you must figure it as wheel rate .Wheel rate is your spring rate plus you sway bar rate together .

Warning!!!!!!!!!!!Be prepared to change it often based on what you are doing and learn how to know how to change it to do what you want it to do .


RR

[LeonL]

...running a 225 on an 11" wide rim...

Sorry couldn't help much. I am running 205 on 11" wide rim But I ain't no stupid.

[Cholewa]

you must drive a vw.

[87RX7RACER]

Is that an admission of guilt?