Suspension BC coilovers installed (how-to & feedback)
#177
#179
Thanks for the great write up COR BLMY!
And thank you even more for the giving me the slight nug needed to take out all the interior for the extension adjusters, you were right, it isn't as hard as it looks. I'm glad I did it now!
I took a couple a pics through the process, but yours are so thorough, there isn't any need to post again.
But I did take a couple pics of the extenders coming through the side access panels in case anyone was wondering how that looks.
This one on the driver side is pretty straight forward and easy to adjust.
This one on the passenger side is a bit more difficult, but do-able. You can see I have a little screw back out at the bottom. Once that is backed out you can lift the cable to where you see it now and adjust with ease and still feel the clicks well. Then when done, put the cable down under the amp and place screw back.
It is possible to adjust it when it is lying under the amp, but the clicks aren't quite as crisp and easily felt due to the bend in the cable.
And thank you even more for the giving me the slight nug needed to take out all the interior for the extension adjusters, you were right, it isn't as hard as it looks. I'm glad I did it now!
I took a couple a pics through the process, but yours are so thorough, there isn't any need to post again.
But I did take a couple pics of the extenders coming through the side access panels in case anyone was wondering how that looks.
This one on the driver side is pretty straight forward and easy to adjust.
This one on the passenger side is a bit more difficult, but do-able. You can see I have a little screw back out at the bottom. Once that is backed out you can lift the cable to where you see it now and adjust with ease and still feel the clicks well. Then when done, put the cable down under the amp and place screw back.
It is possible to adjust it when it is lying under the amp, but the clicks aren't quite as crisp and easily felt due to the bend in the cable.
#180
Just got a set of the BC's coil's installed and I have to say . Pretty happy so far and its only been a day. I have not yet tweaked the camber, and the damper setting was set to 15 right in the middle. I had a long drive home from install shop (Coast to Coast) which by the way did a great job with the install very clean. I must say the ride is stiffer but I would not say harsher at all. Its just a more solid feel. I drove it into NYC last night and found some spots I would normally hate (cobble stone roads ect.) and it actually didnt bother me as much as it used to. So that probably as bad as it gets lol and no complaints. So now to dial in the settings. I have a feeling that when all is said and done it will be a killer street setup.
#181
Although I've got the Megans, the change from 15 to max soft is pretty significant. I drove on full soft on the front and 15 on the rear for a month, then changed the front to 15 and bumps were noticeably stiffer, but overall performance was improved. When I've got the family in the car, I'm leaving it on full soft, but when I'm by myself, 15 is a nice compromise.
Just got a set of the BC's coil's installed and I have to say . Pretty happy so far and its only been a day. I have not yet tweaked the camber, and the damper setting was set to 15 right in the middle. I had a long drive home from install shop (Coast to Coast) which by the way did a great job with the install very clean. I must say the ride is stiffer but I would not say harsher at all. Its just a more solid feel. I drove it into NYC last night and found some spots I would normally hate (cobble stone roads ect.) and it actually didnt bother me as much as it used to. So that probably as bad as it gets lol and no complaints. So now to dial in the settings. I have a feeling that when all is said and done it will be a killer street setup.
#183
Just got a set of the BC's coil's installed and I have to say . Pretty happy so far and its only been a day. I have not yet tweaked the camber, and the damper setting was set to 15 right in the middle. I had a long drive home from install shop (Coast to Coast) which by the way did a great job with the install very clean. I must say the ride is stiffer but I would not say harsher at all. Its just a more solid feel. I drove it into NYC last night and found some spots I would normally hate (cobble stone roads ect.) and it actually didnt bother me as much as it used to. So that probably as bad as it gets lol and no complaints. So now to dial in the settings. I have a feeling that when all is said and done it will be a killer street setup.
-Cliff
#184
Can't wait to order mine, if everything goes well I will in a couple weeks
#185
I was only able to get -2.2 before the BCs maxed out on the drivers side. Kind of dissappointed as one of my reasons for going to coilovers was to get more camber. But after doing a recent test+tune, the V710s were heating evenly so it's possible that more would not have necessarily been better. Only this autox season will tell.
#186
I was only able to get -2.2 before the BCs maxed out on the drivers side. Kind of dissappointed as one of my reasons for going to coilovers was to get more camber. But after doing a recent test+tune, the V710s were heating evenly so it's possible that more would not have necessarily been better. Only this autox season will tell.
Did you see the discussion and post about what combo of holes to use on the camber plate bolts .. you should be able to get around 2.2 if you are using the outer 4 holes ...if you use the inner pair and the out-board pair you can get to the -3 mark
See my post and photo on post #174
#187
BC Sports - BR series
30 way adjustable compression / rebound.
Ride height adjustable.
lowest drop Front 1.5" : Rear 1.5"
I have seen claims stating front drop 2" .
After installing several sets I have seen maybe 1.3/4
Different install options will allow full adjustability of front and rear in less than 60 seconds.(without laying on you back)
Front spring rate 8k, Rear spring rate 6k.
other spring rates avaliable. If more than 2k over or under BC will custom valve for you at NO charge.
Rear Pillow Ball upper mount
Come WITH adjustable camber plates
Photo shows 215/45/17 with max drop
30 way adjustable compression / rebound.
Ride height adjustable.
lowest drop Front 1.5" : Rear 1.5"
I have seen claims stating front drop 2" .
After installing several sets I have seen maybe 1.3/4
Different install options will allow full adjustability of front and rear in less than 60 seconds.(without laying on you back)
Front spring rate 8k, Rear spring rate 6k.
other spring rates avaliable. If more than 2k over or under BC will custom valve for you at NO charge.
Rear Pillow Ball upper mount
Come WITH adjustable camber plates
Photo shows 215/45/17 with max drop
Last edited by COR BLMY; 05-01-2008 at 08:20 AM.
#188
#191
#192
hey cliff and cor blmy, i'm not sure if it was mentioned earier or not, but please endulge me. do i need new rear control arms if i get these coilovers? i'm likely gonna join the club in two weeks. thanks for the great info
#193
#194
#196
If you want complete control over your rear camber alignment specs then yes you would want at least 1 set of rear control arms. Depending on how low you are going to be will affect the need for control arms. With my experience with MINI's lowering of about an inch or less will yield very little negative tire wear if that is your main concern.
Your year car should have a bit of rear camber adjustment from the factory. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks, Cliff
#197
#198
fully loaded mcs, inc air con sun roof etc, often drive four up, whats best spring rate for comfort? 8 and 6
mostly just me in the car so needs to be set up for one 90% of the time
how do i accomadate 4 with damp adj, or spring hight adj?
currently set up
on eibach 30mm lowering springs and et37 wheels with 215/40/17 rubber so i know that 4 up is bad news as set up at the moment
would like no more than 1" or so drop from stock due to local roads being so poor
so no need to be slammed to deck
[220+ whp and v.occaisional light track use to consider as well]
mostly just me in the car so needs to be set up for one 90% of the time
how do i accomadate 4 with damp adj, or spring hight adj?
currently set up
on eibach 30mm lowering springs and et37 wheels with 215/40/17 rubber so i know that 4 up is bad news as set up at the moment
would like no more than 1" or so drop from stock due to local roads being so poor
so no need to be slammed to deck
[220+ whp and v.occaisional light track use to consider as well]
#199
Hi, "blue al".
Good question and you gave good info as well.
I'll take a shot at an answer.
First I think the BC would be a good choice ...
Because of the adjustability.
Suspension is always a compromise (even for F1 terams) but because these can be easily adjusted they can fit a wider range of you uses.
The STD spring rate 8K F and 6K R is a good all round compromise.
Your not overloading and your 1" inch drop again makes the 6K rear still a good option.
If you start with the compression settings at mid / 15 (1 being the softest ) and that was good for you solo street driving when you have 2 more bodies in the rear seat a couple of clicks (18 ) should be all you need to do.
You are not going to have the issues that you would have if you had "slammed it"
At the track you would be able to play around with the settings, other things come into play like tires, driving style, sway bars and the track itself.
Also if you wanted to the ride height can be adjusted with the wheels off. Not necessary to remove the coilovers, start to finish maybe and hour . That could be part of your track day set up even before you leave home. It is a good idea to remove the wheels before a track day anyway and do a check of brakes etc , this wouldn't add that much more time or effort.
You did mention that you had 40 series tires and, the local roads are bad, ever concidered 45s, they take a lot of the harshness out of roads and suspension.
Good question and you gave good info as well.
I'll take a shot at an answer.
First I think the BC would be a good choice ...
Because of the adjustability.
Suspension is always a compromise (even for F1 terams) but because these can be easily adjusted they can fit a wider range of you uses.
The STD spring rate 8K F and 6K R is a good all round compromise.
Your not overloading and your 1" inch drop again makes the 6K rear still a good option.
If you start with the compression settings at mid / 15 (1 being the softest ) and that was good for you solo street driving when you have 2 more bodies in the rear seat a couple of clicks (18 ) should be all you need to do.
You are not going to have the issues that you would have if you had "slammed it"
At the track you would be able to play around with the settings, other things come into play like tires, driving style, sway bars and the track itself.
Also if you wanted to the ride height can be adjusted with the wheels off. Not necessary to remove the coilovers, start to finish maybe and hour . That could be part of your track day set up even before you leave home. It is a good idea to remove the wheels before a track day anyway and do a check of brakes etc , this wouldn't add that much more time or effort.
You did mention that you had 40 series tires and, the local roads are bad, ever concidered 45s, they take a lot of the harshness out of roads and suspension.
#200
Sorry that I felt compelled to answer a question directed towards me. You did start this thread and provided great pics and info. This is a public forum and until you became a vendor last week my input was never an issue. I'm not going to start an identical thread just so I can have the ability to address forum members with information.