09-04-2021, 04:21 PM | #1 |
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Bilstein B14 with Vorshlag Camber Plates
I posted some of this in a reply to another post. After reading a lot on this forum, as well as others, I decided to go with a Bilstein B14 kit (will probably switch to B16's down the road) with Vorshlag Camber Plates with 2.5" coil over spring perches.
Based on Farkle's recommendations and testing, I will be installing some Hyperco 275 lb/in 2.5" springs up front (over dampened a bit) with 60mm (Bilstein) to 2.5" adaptors at the coilover. This will replace the Bilstein 400 lb/in progressive spring to give it a bit less pitch. The biggest complaint I have heard from most about the Bilstein setup, is it is a bit stiff and bumpsteery (is that a word?). I am holding off on the much higher spring rate in the rear, until I see how I like this setup. The rear spring (Bilstein 565 lb/in) will be an easy replace/install later down the road. So for now, the dampening will be tuned to the rear spring as designed. SPL Front and Rear adjustable end links as well to make sure there is no pre-load on the sway bars after lowering. My plan is -2.5* camber on the front and -2.0* rear for the street and spirited driving. Having the ability to change the front camber setting to more in the -3.5* to -4.0* for the days I AutoX or track it. I have the M Sport non adaptive suspension with the beefier sway bars already. I will also be adding a Weichers aluminum front strut brace. Doing a brake upgrade at the same time. M Performance Big Brake Kit through FCP Euro. Lifetime Replacement on all parts, including consumables. I know the 370mm front rotors and 345mm rear rotors will add a little unsprung weight for not a whole lot (if any) additional braking capacity on the street, but I plan to switch pads (Hawk 5.0 HPS street pads) for AutoX and Track Days to Pagid RSL29 pads and think it will make a difference there. I will be installing Turner Motorsport stainless steel brake lines as well. Considering the total cost for all of these upgrades, I went with the B14 for now. I just want to make some major changes all around to the handling, overall ride height and braking on this F30. I have no problem going to a B16 or KW V3 down the road a bit. I also just added Aodhan AFF7 wheels and Michelin PS4S 3 weeks ago. 235/35/19 & 275/30/19. Just the tires alone, made a HUGE difference in confidence in steering. The above suspension and brake changes should only increase that dramatically.
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Last edited by 1bad14-F30; 09-07-2021 at 08:49 PM.. |
09-07-2021, 11:01 AM | #2 |
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Go with the KW 60210190 springs in front instead. They're similar format to the springs that come on the B14 (60mm bottom ID, stock ID on top) so no adapters are needed, and due to the shape have more travel than the standard 2.5" coilover spring. Spring rate is 265lbs/in. You have to call KW to order. They should be $80 each.
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09-07-2021, 04:23 PM | #3 |
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Thanks for the recommendation on the KW springs. I will keep that in mind for another F30 in the stable. I already got the 2.5" Hyperco's (188B0275)and ordered the Vorshlag Camber Plates with 2.5" coilover spring perches. I installed the adaptors and some swift thrust sheets onto the Bilstein front struts. Waiting for some other parts to do the install.
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09-17-2021, 08:10 AM | #4 | |
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09-17-2021, 10:11 AM | #5 |
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Ideally you'd swap the rear spring too to give this kit flat ride for a smooth ride. The softer spring will make the front end less stiff, but the "crashiness" probably won't change much since the rebound from the damper isn't any different.
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09-17-2021, 02:11 PM | #6 |
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any suggestions for what rear spring? trying to avoid going out and buying kw street comfort lol
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09-28-2021, 11:31 AM | #7 |
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Decided after much more research about Flat Ride (Quick Settling) and using the FCM Elite spreadsheet for F30 to go with Hyperco 10" - 2.5" 750# coils for the rear. Decided to do this now, rather than wait. This equates to approximately 15% Flat Ride. So for the time being, I will be over dampened a bit in the front and under dampened in the rear a bit. Down the road, I may have the struts recalibrated to these (or whatever spring rate I end up at finally).
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09-28-2021, 07:22 PM | #8 | |
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09-28-2021, 08:02 PM | #9 |
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I assume you mean 30% less than the supplied Bilstein progressive 397# front? Based on my research and more importantly some testing and information on these threads from FaRKle!, I don't believe so. It will be over dampened a bit, so that will be something to feel out. Especially for a more streetable comfort factor, with enough performance for some very spirited driving. Springs and struts are easy enough to swap out. I don't mind changing out my entire strut/spring combo for a more aggressive setup at the track if needed. All of the complaints I have read and heard of with the B14's, are of the harshness of the ride on the street. Particularly due to the Pitch that the kit comes with.
In hindsight, I would have gotten the B16 kit, to be able to adjust dampening to various spring rates I will probably try, but I got it through FCP Euro for the lifetime warranty. B16 standard kit is currently and has been on backorder with no ETA for a while now. Yes Bilstein has a great warranty, but I would rather deal with FCP Euro than Bilstein from a customer service and long term warranty standpoint. My main reason for going to a coilover suspension was:
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09-28-2021, 08:13 PM | #10 | |
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We are somewhat in the same boat but I have already gone coilover. Not name brand but one with a bunch of adjustability. I went 350F/1000F with adjustable dampening. Some bumps make the front end bang so loud it's stressful to drive and search for road imperfections. Even riding my motorcycle on the same roads wasnt so draining lol. I have yet to adjust the dampening up from the midpoint when it was installed, but I'm not confident it will help my crashing. Thought it may be an undersprung scenario.
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09-28-2021, 10:05 PM | #11 |
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From what I can find it looks like stock M Sport are 165 lb/in Front and 485 lb/in Rear. So the 275 lb/in fronts are still over 100 lb/in stiffer. Will still be over dampened a bit. So there will still be some crashiness I suspect. Hopehully not too much. Lol. I hear you on the ride. I am trying to avoid that harshness, but still get a significant upgrade to my stock, body rolling, strut worn out suspension. Should have all the parts here by Friday for my complete suspension and brake upgrade. M Performance Big Brake Kit with Red Rotors arrived today! Bilstein B14's with Hyperco 2.5" 275F (8") / 750R (10"), Vorshlag Camber Plates, SPL Parts front and rear adjustable end links to keep geometry on sway bars correct, Big Brake Kit, Stainless brake lines, etc. Car should feel quite a bit different by Saturday Night!
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Last edited by 1bad14-F30; 09-28-2021 at 11:20 PM.. |
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10-03-2021, 03:43 PM | #12 | |
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Anyway the plan was to adjust the front dampers towards hard (20-21 clicks total) from the midpoint done at installation. Took some time to figure out the orientation with the car parked on the ground (mixture of cellphone video and the viewfinder on my apple watch). Drivers side went fine, went to 14 from 10 clicks. Went to do thr passenger side and IT WAS AT FULL SOFT (don't be nasty). Adjusted it to match the drivers side after that revelation. Car is driving like night and day. Even went down to drive across imperfections in the road I would usually avoid and no banging. It's night and day now lol. The firmness is definitely reminiscent of my wife's Macan S that I just got her. Stock suspension but it's very nice on the road and a bit firmer than most would expect. Welp problem solved. For now
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10-04-2021, 03:42 PM | #13 |
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Well, Finally got the suspension all installed. It feels Awesome! Still have some fine tuning to do, but what a difference. Love the Flat Ride and how it handles.
Note to anyone else installing B14 or B16. Just put it on the lowest setting. Bilstein has built in fool proofing to keep from going too low. Wish I had known this to start. Took me a bit to go back through the rear setup. I installed 10" 750# coils. There was no turning the adjusters. (I added Swift thrust sheets on second attempt, but probably will never need them now) No worries. It's always faster the second time... Looked like a 4x4 on first try. Lol. Going to let it settle for a week or so, then do my string alignment. Vorshlag camber plates as delivered have me at -2.8* LF and -2.5* RF - Rear with new setup -2.0* LR and -1.8* RR. I will fix the camber and caster, then adjust the toe (front and rear). I have a digital camber gauge and will do a string alignment as well. I'll post pics when it has settled and I have done the alignment. Didn't get to the brakes. That'll have to wait until 2 weeks from now. Headed to AZ for a few days. Get some sun and heat. It's already deep into fall temps here in the PNW.
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Last edited by 1bad14-F30; 10-09-2021 at 09:03 PM.. |
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10-29-2021, 09:06 AM | #14 |
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M Performance brakes on now...
Got the M Performance brakes on and bedded in (fun in the rain, not). I am using Rotors I had made from Brake Performance out of California. Hawk HPS 5.0 Pads front and rear as well as Turner MS stainless steel brake lines front and rear. The rotors are one piece cast, so a tiny bit heavier, but I had them make the slots curved and all the way to the edge. This eliminates the noise people have complained about with the BMW rotors with straight slots. Plus it just looks better IMHO. Also went with the black zinc coating on the rotors. Looks good and functions well.
Excuse the dirty car. It has been raining non stop here in the Pacific NW, so I haven't really been able to test them. Probably for the best anyway. I'll get them settled in with a few hundred miles and then hopefully have some decent dry roads in the next week or so to report back. Initial impression, I absolutely can feel and love the difference. (If anyone is interested or cares, I have Dura Coating - Tire Dressing on my tires. This stuff is incredible. Prep is key, but worth the effort.)
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