Street Stage:
E24s respond very well to minor and relatively inexpensive changes to the suspension.
Sway bars—changing the stock sway bars to larger 28mm diameter bars with urethane bushings produces a car that corners flatter and feels more stable; you’ll wonder why they didn’t come that way from the factory. No loss of ride quality; fits with AC.
Shocks---installation of Bilstein shocks makes a world of difference in the way the car handles. Keeping the tires in firm contact with the pavement is the way to make the car handle well; Bilstein shocks do this best.
Springs---the stock springs do a fine job of keeping the body of the car off the pavement but for higher performance we want the car lower and stiffer so that the driver’s input is translated to vehicle response as rapidly as possible. Shorter and stiffer springs are available from a number of manufacturers---we commonly use Ireland Engineering, Dinan, Suspension Techniques, H&R, and others (wherever best pricing can be found). Note: try to choose springs and shocks together since installation labor overlaps and sometimes shorter springs require shorter shocks.
Tires and wheels---modern premium tires on alloy instead of steel wheels will improve the appearance of the car, but, more importantly, will also make the car stick to the road like it never could years ago when it was new. This is both a matter of performance and safety, wet and dry.
Street and Track Stage:
Sway bars---Bigger sway bars are the mandatory on serious performance cars.
Modern adjustable bars are sometimes also available, either conventional bars that mount in the usual location, or special hollow tubular bars with custom aluminum mounting brackets.
Shocks---Bilstein Sport shocks are the answer here. Very firm control, great when driven hard. Often used in conjunction with fixed negative camber plates at top.
Springs---the stock springs do a fine job of keeping the body of the car off the pavement but for higher performance we want the car lower and stiffer so that the driver’s input is translated to vehicle response as rapidly as possible. Shorter and stiffer springs are available from a number of manufacturers---we commonly use Ireland Engineering, Dinan, Suspension Techniques, H&R, and others (wherever best pricing can be found). Note: try to choose springs and shocks together since installation labor overlaps and sometimes shorter springs require shorter shocks.
Suspension bushings---should be replaced with polyurethane bushings at all suspension pivot points, both front and rear.
Tires and wheels---V- or Z-rated tires on larger diameter wheels
Track and Race Stage:
Sway bars
Modern adjustable bars are also available from Ireland Engineering, either conventional bars that mount in the usual location, or special hollow tubular bars with custom aluminum mounting brackets.
Shocks---Bilstein Sport shocks are the answer here. Very firm control, great when driven hard. Where rules allow, use struts modified for coil-over shock type springs, making space for larger tires and wider wheels. Adjustable camber devices are necessary at the top of the struts---also available through Ireland Engineering.
Tires and wheels---V- or Z-rated tires on larger diameter wheels depending on what rules will allow.