Coilovers install question

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by PropellerHead

The best thing ab coilovers is being able to set the weight balance to perfect 50/50- 'corner weighting'. I did this on my E39 540. Basically, we used scales under all four tires and set it so each read exactly 25% of the vehicle's weight. Put a couple hundred pounds of sand in that front driver's seat when doing this for absolutely perfect results.

On the E39, this made the big sedan move around like an E46. Yes, they're *supposed* to be 50/50 from the factory, but we all know those big ole 315's are heavier than the fronts. And there is no way they accounted for a driver. On my E39 in particular, they didn't plan on a huge aluminum radiator (with twice the fluid weight) and a big ole supercharger up front. On my E53, I could balance out the heavy under ride protection up front. But I wont. I like and I have used the ability to raise and lower the suspension enough that I will keep it.

For the 'stance' crowd, this will upset the perfectly even height at all four corners. For the 'coil overs is for slammed' crowd.. well.. you can have a lower ride height that is also balanced. But the key for coils is balance- not looks. The performance reward is totally worth the little bit of 'off-balance' look.

The capability for easy corner balancing is great, but even the premium version is subject to the laws of physics.

You will not be able to change the front/rear balance or the left/right balance. Those are determined by the location of the center of mass (OK, slightly adjustable if you purposely tilt the car forward, for example).

You will be able to make them balanced though, within the constraints of not changing front/rear and left/right.

So
..........15..........35
<<==
..........35..........15
with F/R = 50/50 and L/R = 50/50

can be balanced to
..........25..........25
<<==
..........25..........25
There is no change in F/R and L/R, since that would require a special waiver from the laws of physics and those are not being given out right now ;-).
When you dialed in 25/25/25/25, this is what was being adjusted, giving a great improvement in handling. If you got to 25/25/25/25, you must have started with 50/50 F/R and 50/50 L/R, since that's what you ended with and the mass properties did not change.

But I could adjust my 911's torsion bars all day long and not change the 41/59 F/R weight distribution, even if I wanted to.