2000 TI Suspension - Sway Bars & Springs/Shocks

[duggi]

I've had my 2000 for about 8 months now and in that time have refined my ideas for restoring/building it out.  I'm going to keep the 2000 trim, but want to upgrade to 2000 TI specs, which includes front and rear sway bars, special springs and shocks -- how hard are these to come by these days?  Is it impossible?

Edited March 9, 2017 by duggi

[HBChris]

I know the rear bars are same es e9/e3/e12 with sideloader diff at least.

[NickVyse]

shocks and springs are the same, arb's are the only difference and front is not interchangeable with anything else so can be hard to track down.

[kiva667]

I've heard the rear sway bars make little if any difference but have no first hand knowledge

[NickVyse]

With bilsteins on the front and gaz adjustable shocks on the back, one coil off the stock springs (early rear end location) I first installed the front ARB and it really felt much more tied down. Added the rear and it was better still. Front is better than none, both are better than one. But obviously the ride suffers a bit - for me it's a easy trade off.

[tjones02]

How close are the rear NK bars to E9? Can E9 rear bars be used?

[HBChris]

E3 and e12 are 16mm, e9 is 18mm but all will fit at least the series two NK.  I put the e12 bar in my 2000.

[duggi]

1 minute ago, HBChris said:

E3 and e12 are 16mm, e9 is 18mm but all will fit at least the series two NK.  I put the e12 bar in my 2000.

 

I assume series two means the one with the later dashboard?

[HBChris]

Yes 68 and later has the side loader diff and subframe, I don't know if earlier subframe is different.

[duggi]

1 hour ago, HBChris said:

Yes 68 and later has the side loader diff and subframe, I don't know if earlier subframe is different.

 

According to the parts catalogs, the subframes are different, but the anti-roll bars are the same on the early and late 2000 TIs.  That said, an anti-roll bar isn't listed for the coupes.  See my attached image which is a mockup of several pages from the catalog with annotations.  If the 2000c/cs didn't have the option for a rear bar, then is it even possible that the one on the e9 is compatible?  From what I've read, very very early e9s have the rear suspension shared with the earlier 2000cs, but it was all changed out for the new design that debuted on the e3, which is also shared with the e12.

 

[duggi]

2 hours ago, HBChris said:

E3 and e12 are 16mm, e9 is 18mm but all will fit at least the series two NK.  I put the e12 bar in my 2000.

 

I failed to take this into account in my above post.  So in theory, if the early and late rear subframes shared the same bar, and you used the e12 bar with success on your late car, I should also be able to use an e12 bar on my early car, right?

[HBChris]

Yes I would think so.  And, the e9 never shared rear suspension with the 2000CS, the e3 and e9 are the same however.  I have one of each. 

Edited March 10, 2017 by HBChris

[tjones02]

I've been told that the Addco 2002 7/8 (22mm) front bar will fit NKs. I have one, but haven't had the opportunity to try it out. It hangs lower down in front rather than tucking behind the nose... Hopefully it's enough clearance to clear the oil pan of the NK forward engine position. I'm having trouble finding a picture of one installed in an '02 that used to be here on the FAQ.

http://www.addco.net/aftermarket/catalog/bmw/

 

I would think a 22mm adjustable E12 ST Suspensions rear bar might go well with a 22mm '02 Addco front, but I haven't ever had the opportunity to try it out.

http://www.stsuspensions.com/products/st-suspensions-st-rear-anti-swaybar-51015.html

 

The other thing that would work... Is an Ireland front bar!!! It would definitely clear the oil pan and be big enough to match the 22mm ST E12 rear bar batter than the Addco one.... Just thinking out loud here, don't mind me.

[Brandyn Andrews]

I have a NOS rear Are bar for 200.  No hardware. Also have weld on  frame extension moumts for front bar 1(831)236-6260 maybe your door chrome needs upgrade? I also have front driver side and rear right passenger exterior door handles with keys and tumblers. Used 2.0 motor steering column covers .  Hell!! I'd take 500. For all my spares. Give me a call 

[tisalover]

On sway bars: the TISA currently runs a 28 mm 2002 front sway bar, and 28 mm E9 coupe rear sway bar (Tom they are the same rear sway bars). I seem to recall that I sourced both from Carl Nelson who has a tisa, and a shop in San Diego. He's a cool guy.

A 2002 sway bar will clear the front pan, even with a Koman performance oil pan/sump. The old sway bars are out in the barn, my recollection is that they are 18 mm front and rear. I could be wrong on this, it would be easy to look up.

 

The handling improvement is significant, and I do not believe there is that much of a trade off and ride quality. I would probably go with 22 mm sway bars front and rear for a regular pleasure driver. A limited slip is also a good thing, as things get stiff enough to start lifting wheels. I like Nicks idea of shortening the springs a little bit too. My problem is that now that TiSAs are rare I feel little guilty about all the modifications I've made. Oh well it's easier this way to happily drive the snot out of it.

Best regards, keep on oversteering,  Peter