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-   -   *** The Truth About BC Racing Coilovers and Installation Thread *** (https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150807)

Whiteside Customs 06-03-2011 11:19 AM

*** The Truth About BC Racing Coilovers and Installation Thread ***
 
First and foremost, I think it is important to put to bed some of the rumors and present the cold hard facts. BC Racing is one of the largest coilover manufacturers in the world. They are built and engineered in Taiwan. They are also the largest manufacturer of private label coilovers in the world. Simply put, most of the big name suspension companies use BC to produce their coilovers.

Now I understand and agree that we all should buy American products whenever possible. However, in today's world this is becoming increasingly hard to do. Take the Camaro for example. We have a car engineered in Australia and built in Canada using parts from literally all over the world. So with that in mind, what we must concentrate on is getting the best part we possibly can. And let me assure you, BC Racing builds the best coilovers in the world. And that is why the big suspension companies choose to private label with BC rather than produce their own.


Now, on to the install.


1) Out of the box.

http://i.imgur.com/jJAl7.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mhjKS.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/EDEFX.jpg


2) Measuring the right height. The front measured 26 7/8 and the rear was 28. We are looking for 1 1/4 drop all the way around.

http://i.imgur.com/zqMFp.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/siiML.jpg


3) Remove top strut bolt with an impact and a 24mm socket. Loosen the top strut bolt while the vehicle is still on the ground, then replace the top bolt finger tight.

http://i.imgur.com/JKaIJ.jpg


4) Lifting car and removing the wheels and tires

http://i.imgur.com/qYKMd.jpg


Stock setup:

http://i.imgur.com/N7ad3.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/PiOns.jpg


5) Disconnecting brake lines / upper sway endlink / abs sensor

http://i.imgur.com/kcSur.jpg


6) Take out clevis bolts

http://i.imgur.com/wCM95.jpg


7) Reaching up, loosen the top strut bolt that we left finger tight and the strut assembly will come out.

http://i.imgur.com/nSlRQ.jpg


8) Measuring for right height. Using a dial caliper we measure the distance between the two lock collars. In order to achieve our 1 1/4" drop we adjust to 22mm between the collars. Refer to the BC racing instructions for assembly order. *NOTE* You must remove the bottom metal insulator from the factory strut mount*

http://i.imgur.com/6wvzv.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7dOa1.jpg


9) Reinstall reverse order


10) Repeat for other side.



That's it for the front. Now onto the rear.


12) We choose to loosen the entire cradle for removal of struts. This also gives us a chance to install cradle mount inserts. To remove the cradle washers a large slide hammer works GREAT!

http://i.imgur.com/DvmC9.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/IofVm.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/cjixj.jpg


Whiteline Bushings

http://i.imgur.com/ji6jt.jpg


13) With the cradle dropped down and the strut removed we take the upper strut mount and bolt it back into place for location of the whole we must drill in order to use the dampening adjusters

http://i.imgur.com/4azR0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1IOGa.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KpH7b.jpg


14) What we chose to do is inside the trunk we used our small drill hole as the locator for a 2" hole saw and drilled a 2" diameter hole for the adjuster. We then found a 2" rubber grommet to protect the edges. We then punched a small hole in the carpet and fed the extenders through. *NOTE* Red loctite on the set screws is a VERY good idea*

http://i.imgur.com/UKXyL.jpg


15) Now reassemble. In order to achieve our desired drop we measured 30mm between the two lock collars.
*NOTE* NEVER USE AN IMPACT DURING REASSEMBLY. THIS WILL DAMAGE THE STRUT AND VOID YOUR WARRANTY!*
*NOTE* Use a brass drift and hammer on the lock collars to ensure they are tight!


16) The finished product. Test drive vehicle slowly in a parking lot at first and make sure there are no weird noises. Then off to the alignment shop and enjoying your new coilovers!

http://i.imgur.com/BUFha.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vPum5.jpg

bkscott 06-05-2011 04:54 PM

I may have to get a test ride in your car. I want to do coilovers, but I am still on the fence about the cost/benefit as opposed to just doing springs. I want to maintain the ride at all cost, and I know Coilovers are best for that. But if the ride does not blow me away I may save the money and do springs instead.

DMSDesign 06-05-2011 09:44 PM

Nice writeup

ipimpthisc 06-06-2011 10:02 AM

excellent article and demo... I am impressed thus far

Whiteside Customs 06-06-2011 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkscott (Post 3303316)
I may have to get a test ride in your car. I want to do coilovers, but I am still on the fence about the cost/benefit as opposed to just doing springs. I want to maintain the ride at all cost, and I know Coilovers are best for that. But if the ride does not blow me away I may save the money and do springs instead.

Barry,

Give me a call. 972 542 0255

Whiteside Customs 06-06-2011 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMSDesign (Post 3304310)
Nice writeup


Good to see ya hanging around Mike.

How are things treating you?

GreenMonster 06-22-2011 12:52 AM

So to be clear with the adjuster thats in the trunk you can adjust the height from there ?? You don't need to remove your wheels every-time you wanna switch height??

MiSTER 06-22-2011 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMonster (Post 3369348)
So to be clear with the adjuster thats in the trunk you can adjust the height from there ?? You don't need to remove your wheels every-time you wanna switch height??

The adjuster is to control the dampening rate of the shock itself (how soft or firm you want the ride to be). It's not an external adjuster for ride height.

bkscott 06-22-2011 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiteside Customs (Post 3305749)
Barry,

Give me a call. 972 542 0255


Just checked back in. Will do.

GreenMonster 06-22-2011 08:58 AM

Ok so for height adjustment you would have to take the wheels off right? Sorry I'm a noob on the subject of coil overs ...

Their seems to be a lot of positive things being said on the BC C.O

CamaroDreams07 06-22-2011 09:33 AM

How much for these out the door installed?

Whiteside Customs 06-22-2011 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenMonster (Post 3369963)
Ok so for height adjustment you would have to take the wheels off right? Sorry I'm a noob on the subject of coil overs ...

Their seems to be a lot of positive things being said on the BC C.O

In the front yes. The rear can be done just jack up the rear to get the weight off. For the front it's an access thing. You can't get to the adjusters without the wheels off. The back you can.

I encourage anyone looking into BC coilovers to do research outside of this forum. The GTO guys have had a TON of success with these coilovers.

Remember as well, there's a reason most other companies choose to private label with BC rather than design and build their own!

Whiteside Customs 06-22-2011 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07 (Post 3370086)
How much for these out the door installed?


PM sent.

DallasMike 06-22-2011 03:18 PM

We have a special offer for ONE person willing to write a review on these coilovers.

PM me for details.


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