Installed CA Tuned Coilovers for 98 Cali Sport
 

This weekends project was a CA Tuned Coilover suspension upgrade for my 1998 Cali Sport. I acquired the Coilovers from a friend who's recently restored DASC TI was T-boned at an intersection. The Coilovers had less then 500 miles on them.
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...pscinjzajo.jpg

I am replacing Bilstien HDs on M-Tech springs. They were a comfortable ride, but I wanted a but more cornering stability. I'll move the HD's to Wifey's Active.
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psyl2pqnpn.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psotmc63ry.jpghttp://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psqkl9i0zo.jpghttp://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psuwlztqfs.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psx4p32j3c.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psqvrvecdu.jpg

The previously installed front and rear Mason strut braces with the lower OEM X-brace finish up this project.
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psjmtvsv4h.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psagag7jfe.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...BC969758CB.jpg

I'll likely raise the front of the Cali 1/2" from a practicality standpoint as it's my DD.

Front:
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psarqtjwpa.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psuxpmz3vb.jpg

And drop the rear 3/4"
Rear:
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psjrs9ytwe.jpg
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...pswir2fbjz.jpg

The TI on the right has the Coilovers, the TI on the left has Billy Sports with HR Super Sports.
http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...psl8qdjeyp.jpg

I have the valve dampening adjustment at the midpoint. Firm, but not spine jolting. I'll need to read up on adjusting the camber plates. I'll see how it rides after I get over this stomach flu or whatever it is. I suspect I'd make myself puke driving like I stole it... :_pelvic2:

Next project is a M3 brake booster and Master Cylinder in prep for 330CI front brakes. :cool:

very nice. Looks damn good.

Questions.... your TI on the right with the Billie's and H&R Super Sports.... are they H&R Sport springs that drop 1.4" front and 1.0" rear? Did you install strut mount reinforcement plates and new springs pads?

if you did install new rear spring pads were they 5mm, 7.5mm or 10mm? And why? Thank you sir.

Give them a few days driving to let everything settle, but I suspect that you should bring the rear down on the Cali a little bit.

I don't see reinforcement plates for those front towers, I recommend them.

Looks great otherwise!

Plates on in there. Just look at the first picture! :cool:

Looks like a great suspension setup! I had MAJOR thoughts about getting rid of my 318ti, but the loss I'd take has made me once again look for a better suspension system for autocross. I gotta spend about $500 to make me happy with the 318ti, plus a coilover system. It never ends!

Good Thread on the brake upgrades on Bimmerforums

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...-Brake-upgrade

Looks like the trick is getting the correct front/rear bias.

Please post up how the brake upgrade goes too.

E39 rears are bolt on and perfect bias for the 330 brakes :)

- James, I left the reinforcing plate out as the camber adjustments barely fit. I'll grind down the inner lip of the reinforcement plates so they will fit and still allow camber adjustment. It'll be done before fest.

Ya, I'll drop the rear 3/4" and raise the front after all settles in.

- Nice, thanks John. All years E39 or select years?

- Thanks Bryan! I know I will enjoy the improved handling. I trust you are doing well!

- James, (in NYC). Kept the stock spring pads knowing I could adjust in the height I wanted. If I didn't have the upper strut brace, I would definitely use rear e46 tower reinforcement. As such, the Mason brace is the rear reinforcement plate. As mentioned above, I will modify the E36 reinforcement plates to work with my CA Tuned camber plates.


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ahhh i see but why rear E46 tower reinforcements? I didn't know E46 ones fit ours.

The sheet metal for the rear tower fatigue over time and accelerates the metal fatigue with firmer shocks. The reinforcement plates provide extra support for way less the the repair to fix it. I use them on the rear of all the cars where I don't have a rear brace.


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right.... i got alil confused when you said rear E46 tower reinforcement plates as if they were different compared to rear E36 tower reinforcement plates but i just found out both chassis use the same tower reinforcement plates.

Just found it weird you mentioned E46. Sorry.

Actually, it's the E34 rears. NOT E39

I believe all years.

Ah, yes, I run the E34 rears now on a couple of the TI's. I've been watching for a E34 wagon. Dual rear pistons per caliper. Only certain years fit. I forget which years. :confused:

Anyway, I watch for those as well. :cool:

James: No worries, I mentioned E46 as that's what I purchased. Both E36 and E46 fit. :wink:

I didn't have any fitment issues with the D2 camber plates, fortunately...

Just don't forget about them down the road... :cool:

They'll be done before our meet on the 18th. Just gotta get a proper grinding wheel.

Thanks! :cool: