Hi guys, those of you with Carl Nelson lowering springs, could someone with a spare minute and a tape measure give me the ride hight measurement from the ground to the bottom of the wheel arch front and back.
Thanks
Steve
Thanks
Steve
Ride height
- Thread starter kasbatts
- Start date
decoupe
(deceased)
Once upon a time there was a poll of all things related to suspension assembled by Tony (Velospeed?) in Xcel - anyone save a copy?
My ST springs, which are probably comparable to Carl's, are 25 5/8" front and 24 3/4" rear to the top of the arches.
That's with battery under the rear seat, all A/C components removed, SR441 starter (e34?), no front bumper most of the time and an electric fan replacing the viscous clutch cooling fan - maybe 125lbs off the front springs.
Hope that helps,
Doug
My ST springs, which are probably comparable to Carl's, are 25 5/8" front and 24 3/4" rear to the top of the arches.
That's with battery under the rear seat, all A/C components removed, SR441 starter (e34?), no front bumper most of the time and an electric fan replacing the viscous clutch cooling fan - maybe 125lbs off the front springs.
Hope that helps,
Doug
Cheers Doug, anyone else?
matthewp
Well-Known Member
I think that you may be better off measuring from the centre of the wheel to the arch guard.
True, but I'm only after approx measurements, and unless all your cars are sitting around on flat tires it will be ok 
Timely,
I was just about to ask the same question on the latest batch of Carl Nelson springs. A lot of discussion of previous release against release prior to that. Not much on new batch.
Bottom line, most coupes on original springs will obviously ride lower than new given 40 years of fatigue. Drop in new...moderate lowering springs may not be make that great a difference in ride hight depending on the rate and height of the spring.
OK.. pad thickness, camber plates, etc. all add variation...but those will contribute only a certain difference. Do these new springs DROP the car or not???
I was just about to ask the same question on the latest batch of Carl Nelson springs. A lot of discussion of previous release against release prior to that. Not much on new batch.
Bottom line, most coupes on original springs will obviously ride lower than new given 40 years of fatigue. Drop in new...moderate lowering springs may not be make that great a difference in ride hight depending on the rate and height of the spring.
OK.. pad thickness, camber plates, etc. all add variation...but those will contribute only a certain difference. Do these new springs DROP the car or not???
i will measure that when i install those springs, in a week or two, when i return from vacation
interested
interested
Thanks deQ
Thanks for that Alan, I like your car, very nice colour combo.
I measured mine yesterday and I'm sitting at about 25 5/8 inches as well, the springs I have are locally sourced from the local Koni shock agent where I sourced my dampers from, I'm hoping after I'm back on the road (god willing in about 2 months) they might settle a bit more as I wouldn't mind being just a tad lower
I measured mine yesterday and I'm sitting at about 25 5/8 inches as well, the springs I have are locally sourced from the local Koni shock agent where I sourced my dampers from, I'm hoping after I'm back on the road (god willing in about 2 months) they might settle a bit more as I wouldn't mind being just a tad lower
Polariscsl
Well-Known Member
Mine is 24 3/4 at the front and just over that at the back. (Alpina springs)
Alan,
Thanks. That looks spot on. Great stance.
I will be in So. Cal. next week. Trip to Carl's shop is on the itinerary.
John
some variability
john,
i believe there is some (batch) variability in the cn springs - ive had a couple coupe friends try and duplicate my stance with the exact same set up, and both have ended up a little higher than mine, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch in both front and rear, and that much makes a surprisingly large difference visually.
armed with my measurement, maybe tell carl exactly where you want to end up and see if can make sure that's what you get.
good luck, and thnks for compliments.
alanmcg
john,
i believe there is some (batch) variability in the cn springs - ive had a couple coupe friends try and duplicate my stance with the exact same set up, and both have ended up a little higher than mine, maybe 1/2 to 3/4 inch in both front and rear, and that much makes a surprisingly large difference visually.
armed with my measurement, maybe tell carl exactly where you want to end up and see if can make sure that's what you get.
good luck, and thnks for compliments.
alanmcg
decoupe
(deceased)
Ride Heights
For ease of future searches
I measured 28.5" to the bottom edge of the beltline trim (good idea to reference the beltline) with Suspension Techniques lowering spring kit that is NLA.
Quote:
Originally Posted by duane_sword
Actually the ride height of the 4 x E9s in the garage from the floor to the chrome beltline trim are as follows;
* 28.5" Duane with the Alpina B2 springs setup
* 29.5" Stan and Todd with the Carl Nelson springs setup
* 31.5" Tom with the stock setup (that won't last long given his plans )
For ease of future searches
I measured 28.5" to the bottom edge of the beltline trim (good idea to reference the beltline) with Suspension Techniques lowering spring kit that is NLA.
Quote:
Originally Posted by duane_sword
Actually the ride height of the 4 x E9s in the garage from the floor to the chrome beltline trim are as follows;
* 28.5" Duane with the Alpina B2 springs setup
* 29.5" Stan and Todd with the Carl Nelson springs setup
* 31.5" Tom with the stock setup (that won't last long given his plans )
duane_sword
Well-Known Member
I can't go any lower...
I can't go any lower given the 1/2" clearance between the tyres and the chrome CSL wheel arch flares, and then there is the matter of ground clearance with the Alpina front air-dam.
The B2 springs are super stiff, very little bounce which ensures a firm ride, and very seldom situations of rubbing tyres on the inner wheel fender/flares.
I can't go any lower given the 1/2" clearance between the tyres and the chrome CSL wheel arch flares, and then there is the matter of ground clearance with the Alpina front air-dam.
The B2 springs are super stiff, very little bounce which ensures a firm ride, and very seldom situations of rubbing tyres on the inner wheel fender/flares.
Attachments
decoupe
(deceased)
Duane,
Do the chrome wheel arch trims reduce the clearance between the fender lips and tires? Like your B2 springs the ST are firm and no rubbing or contact issues.
I run 225/45/17 fronts without a problem and am considering coil overs to give me more options on heights and spring rates.
Do the chrome wheel arch trims reduce the clearance between the fender lips and tires? Like your B2 springs the ST are firm and no rubbing or contact issues.
I run 225/45/17 fronts without a problem and am considering coil overs to give me more options on heights and spring rates.
Polariscsl
Well-Known Member
Hi Duane,
I have the same springs as you. It would appear from the photos alone that these seem to be the only ones that give the car a 'nose down' stance. Strange how none of the more recent specialists have not copied the original alpina specs in that regard....
I have the same springs as you. It would appear from the photos alone that these seem to be the only ones that give the car a 'nose down' stance. Strange how none of the more recent specialists have not copied the original alpina specs in that regard....
From my belt trim to ground, front B&G progressives, rear stock cut one coil and thick pad, staggered 16" Alpinas with 205/55 and 225/50 tires:
Front - 28"
Rear - 29 5/8"
Front - 28"
Rear - 29 5/8"
Actually the ride height of the 4 x E9s in the garage from the floor to the chrome beltline trim are as follows;
* 28.5" Duane with the Alpina B2 springs setup
* 29.5" Stan and Todd with the Carl Nelson springs setup
* 31.5" Tom with the stock setup (that won't last long given his plans )
* 28.5" Duane with the Alpina B2 springs setup
* 29.5" Stan and Todd with the Carl Nelson springs setup
* 31.5" Tom with the stock setup (that won't last long given his plans )
reference point
Just a reference point for you;
74 CSi with original CSl factory springs (when they were still available) and Bilstein shocks
done in late 1980's, It has lowered with age. 205/60/14 stock wheels.
L R
Front 24" 23.5"
read 23" 23.75"
without a driver, levels out with driver
Rich Nedinsky
Just a reference point for you;
74 CSi with original CSl factory springs (when they were still available) and Bilstein shocks
done in late 1980's, It has lowered with age. 205/60/14 stock wheels.
L R
Front 24" 23.5"
read 23" 23.75"
without a driver, levels out with driver
Rich Nedinsky