Dinan Stage 1 & Camber Plates

[GmanM3]

After much research and actually purchasing H&R springs from Turner Motorsport (to be returned), I've finally come to the conclusion that Dinan's package is my preferred set-up. The question I have is how many other's with any of Dinan's set-up are running their camber plates? I realize that their plates only off-set the adjustment range but am wondering if I will need the shift for a car that will be driven mostly on the street?

Any insight is greatly appreciated...

[AMPowerJ]

I have the Dinan springs without the camber plates. There is a fair amount of camber adjustability with the OEM setup so I do not think the camber plates are necessary especially if you are not tracking this car predominantly. You are making a good choice.

[GmanM3]

Thanks!

Did you install yourself or have a dealer install? Do you notice the .5" drop at all? Would you say overall performance is improved?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to make sure spending the xtra $ will be worth it.

[AMPowerJ]

I installed them myself. I do notice the drop. I haven't pushed the car too hard on the street but it does feel more connected to the road. It is more firm than stock but not bone jarring. I usually ride around in comfort mode on the interstate, etc. Before with the stock suspension it could feel skittish at speed over broken pavement in a turn. That is no longer an issue with the Dinan system.

[rzm3]

With a 0.5" drop, your camber would already go more negative than before. Unless you track your car, there is absolutely no need for camber plates for the street.

I am getting my Dinan springs tomorrow too.

[mPlasticDesign]

I agree, you don't need the camber plates for a primarily street driven car. If you go to agressive on your camber settings your tires will vanish quicker, your car will tram on uneven surfaces more, etc.... That's why I decided against the plates.

[JC919]

The springs WILL adjust camber by themselves.

Are the camber plates easily removable? I would like to be able to take them off when I switch my track wheels/tires back to street.

[isugoo]

FYI,
Dinan spring + camber plates will sit slightly higher than normal dinan's minimal drop.
So it'll be very very slight drop.

But most of Dinan spring owners don't care for much drop. =)

[GmanM3]

Thanks all...think I will just start with the Dinan Stage 1 and hold off on the camber plates until performance/track days dictate that I need them.

[isugoo]

Originally Posted by GmanM3

Thanks all...think I will just start with the Dinan Stage 1 and hold off on the camber plates until performance/track days dictate that I need them.

Right way to start- congrat!

[jeff4598]

Why not the stage 2 with the sway bar? I got it and LOVE it-quite flat and just holds that line in curves-of course I did not drive stage 1 so cannot compare.

[CanM3]

for those who installed the dinan set up, did you remove the locater pins in the upper strut mount before you aligned it?
I put in on the rack and it swept out at -1.4 (L) and -1.1 (r) camber.....pretty much in the dinan specs that they included in the spring kit. Is camber adjustable at all with the pin in place? looks like the pin would pretty much prevent any movement of the struts within the slotted holes...so no adjustment, this sound about right??

Caster was a little high, but thats not adjustable anyways and was even side to side.....set the toe to .05 each side for total of .1 total toe (front)......seems to work

[GmanM3]

Completed the install about a week ago...extremely straight forward. I was even surprised that my spring compressors fit the front coil springs with no major issues (have had to do some crazy things in the past to be able to compress the spring enough before achieving coil bind on the compressor...that probably won't make any sense to anyone but me...oh well).

I did not remove the locating pins on the supplied "camber" plates...and honestly don't think that removing the pins would gain you much adjustment. That is just my opinion based on the clearance noted on the "camber" plate studs / nuts. I could be wrong there...Dinan states in the instructions that it is possible and I'm sure they know what they are talking about...just don't expect to get a ton of adjustment.

I must say the car drives like a dream!!! I never would have expected to state that not only do I feel like the car handles better but the overall ride quality is improved as well.......and it closes the fender gap that had me wondering if I purchased a rally car. It does not slam tires / wheels into the fenders but, it does visually improve the stance. I am 100% satisfied...and am so happy I didn't go with the H&R springs I originally purchased.

On a side note, the bump stops and "camber" plates Dinan provides with their kit are BMW parts that are found on a different car...if you search this forum someone else posted the details. Too bad you can't just purchase the Dinan springs because you probably could save yourself some money by purchasing the springs from them and the rest of the hardware from your BMW dealer...or possibly combine their researched "camber" plate & bump stop configuration with H&R, etc springs for a greater drop and increased wheel travel in the front.

....I digress