I am overhauling the suspension in my new (to me) r53. I can't stand the harsh ride (and apologizing for it to friends).

I like to always try and DIY anything I do to the car before paying however I have never done anything suspension related except for sway bars on a Subaru (brain dead simple) and a set of fixed camber plates on the mini the other day. The plates were a pain and a 5 hour project but at least I'm familiar with that front area now.

Anyway I bought a set of koni yellows and a full set of tein h-spec springs. These seem easy enough to diy but I read a lot about bump stomps, buying new ones, cutting old ones. What exactly do I need to buy or do when it comes to bump stops and besides the shocks and spring themselves is there anything else I need to buy to fully do this upgrade?

 

Can't speak to the bump stops for your particular case but if you've had the fronts out then you've done the hard part. The rears on these cars is super simple. One bolt holding the bottom on and two bolts holding the top on. Don't forget to detach the brake lines/sensor wires/etc from the shock body. Then the joys of getting the top nut loose since you'll need to re-use the upper shock mount and perch on your new Konis/springs.

 

anyone have tips or tricks for drilling out the rear pieces?

 

It's been a while for me, but the drilling was pretty easy. Just take your time. Make sure you have all parts and tools accounted for and remember the orientation and order of assembly.

I think I used k-huevo's write-up here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ll-how-to.html

pics are gone but you might be able to google for another write-up.

I would recommend cutting the stock bumpstops front and rear. Cut 0.5 to 1 inches from the firmer end, try to keep the dustboots intact and functional.

You shouldn't need to buy anything in addition to the springs and shocks.

- Andy