OE ZCP Suspension Info

Ok so I've measured my OEM ZCP and OEM non-ZCP suspensions... Here goes

The ZCP comes from a pretty stripper E92. The nonZCP comes with a pretty stripper E90. (No navs, no sunroofs, cloth seats). Both suspensions have around 30k miles on them

In parenthesis you have spring codes and in the shafts, you have the shaft length until the 'shoulder' and then in parenthesis the shaft length to the top of the threaded section

All lengths are in centimeters

ZCP nonZCP
F spring length 28.0 (X6) 29.0 (X3)
R spring length 30.2 (X5) 31.0 (X2)
F shaft length 13.3 (21.4) 14.2 (22.2)
R shaft length 13.7 (20.2) 14.2 (21.0)

EricSMG wrote

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd like the B12 kit on this car. Plus, it's available while the dampers alone are not (last I checked).

The EDC Billies are available as well, but that adds another grand give or take. Not sure I need adjustable BUT something tells me the EDC Billies on soft paired with Dinans/Eibachs and slightly trimmed front internal bump stops would be the ultimate for this car. I imagine incredible control without the choppiness of the stock dampers.

When the ZCP car's shocks are dead, probably by 40k miles, I want to get the B12 kit with EDC. That has to be very interesting indeed!

It's sad to see how many people go with 'coilovers' on street cars. Then they wonder why their car rides like a train...

EricSMG wrote

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'd like the B12 kit on this car. Plus, it's available while the dampers alone are not (last I checked).

The EDC Billies are available as well, but that adds another grand give or take. Not sure I need adjustable BUT something tells me the EDC Billies on soft paired with Dinans/Eibachs and slightly trimmed front internal bump stops would be the ultimate for this car. I imagine incredible control without the choppiness of the stock dampers.

EDC Billies + Swift Spec R + GC/Vorshlag Camber Plates in my head would be awesome.

SYT_Shadow wrote

Ok so I've measured my OEM ZCP and OEM non-ZCP suspensions... Here goes

The ZCP comes from a pretty stripper E92. The nonZCP comes with a pretty stripper E90. (No navs, no sunroofs, cloth seats). Both suspensions have around 30k miles on them

In parenthesis you have spring codes and in the shafts, you have the shaft length until the 'shoulder' and then in parenthesis the shaft length to the top of the threaded section

ZCP nonZCP
F spring length 28.0 (X6) 29.0 (X3)
R spring length 30.2 (X5) 31.0 (X2)
F shaft length 13.3 (21.4) 14.2 (22.2)
R shaft length 13.7 (20.2) 14.2 (21.0)

Interesting this is the first time Ive seen any independent confirmation of a different extended length between ZCP and non ZCP dampers. Guess that explains the part number difference. Man what a pain in the ass to develop suspension parts and calibrations for the car and then do it all over again 3 years into the model run

SYT_Shadow wrote

Ok so I've measured my OEM ZCP and OEM non-ZCP suspensions... Here goes

The ZCP comes from a pretty stripper E92. The nonZCP comes with a pretty stripper E90. (No navs, no sunroofs, cloth seats). Both suspensions have around 30k miles on them

In parenthesis you have spring codes and in the shafts, you have the shaft length until the 'shoulder' and then in parenthesis the shaft length to the top of the threaded section

All lengths are in centimeters

ZCP nonZCP
F spring length 28.0 (X6) 29.0 (X3)
R spring length 30.2 (X5) 31.0 (X2)
F shaft length 13.3 (21.4) 14.2 (22.2)
R shaft length 13.7 (20.2) 14.2 (21.0)

Thanks for getting that Danny! I updated the first post with this information.

SYT_Shadow wrote

Ok so I've measured my OEM ZCP and OEM non-ZCP suspensions... Here goes
...
All lengths are in centimeters

ZCP nonZCP
F spring length 28.0 (X6) 29.0 (X3)
R spring length 30.2 (X5) 31.0 (X2)
F shaft length 13.3 (21.4) 14.2 (22.2)
R shaft length 13.7 (20.2) 14.2 (21.0)

Awesome!! Thanks for doing this!

From your measurements I infer that the spring perches must be exactly the same height - does your tape measure agree?

MidLifeM3 wrote

Awesome!! Thanks for doing this!

From your measurements I infer that the spring perches must be exactly the same height - does your tape measure agree?

You're welcome. I guess it isn't common for someone to have a zcp and non zcp car with the suspension in boxes!

I was not able to measure the perch height. My zcp suspension has gc camber plates whereas the nonzcp has oem plates.

SYT_Shadow wrote

You're welcome. I guess it isn't common for someone to have a zcp and non zcp car with the suspension in boxes!

I was not able to measure the perch height. My zcp suspension has gc camber plates whereas the nonzcp has oem plates.

Couldn't you measure the opposite end? The bottom of the spindle mount area to the bottom perch?

derbo wrote

Couldn't you measure the opposite end? The bottom of the spindle mount area to the bottom perch?

I left the suspension lying around in case someone wanted additional data.

I'm not sure which measurement you want

SYT_Shadow wrote

I left the suspension lying around in case someone wanted additional data.

I'm not sure which measurement you want

I'm thinking of the bottom of the strut to the bottom of the perch would give you an idea if the perch itself is lower on the ZCP vs the Non-ZCP?

derbo I think you've convinced me to go w/ Swift spec-r springs lol

derbo wrote

I'm thinking of the bottom of the strut to the bottom of the perch would give you an idea if the perch itself is lower on the ZCP vs the Non-ZCP?

I See. I can take this tonight and update the original post

94jedi wrote

derbo I think you've convinced me to go w/ Swift spec-r springs lol

I still have a problem with lowering springs. I'm not convinced any spring outside OE will be fine without modification like 6ixSpd mentioned. Even then, I'm not convinced an E36 bump stop (20yr+ old design) is better than the E9x Bumpstop even if it is shorter.

If it wasn't for all the arguing on the forums, I would've done swift spec R springs a long time ago.

derbo wrote

I'm thinking of the bottom of the strut to the bottom of the perch would give you an idea if the perch itself is lower on the ZCP vs the Non-ZCP?

Both perches are at the same height

SYT_Shadow wrote

Both perches are at the same height

This confirms that the perches are identical in height and the spring is the primary hardware that lowers it.

derbo wrote

This confirms that the perches are identical in height and the spring is the primary hardware that lowers it.

Glad to be of assistance

Can't wait to see what Eric settles on (pun intended) for this chassis!

The value (to me) of a ZCP car surely diminishes as the used crops approach the 50K/replacement point.

wyatth wrote

Can't wait to see what Eric settles on (pun intended) for this chassis!

The value (to me) of a ZCP car surely diminishes as the used crops approach the 50K/replacement point.

I'm at 103k and my suspension guy said all of my parts are in working order as if brand new. But I am curious as to why you are thinking ZCP will diminish as opposed to non ZCP or they will also? Hadn't looked at it from this point of view so I am curious as to why you think that.

I think they will diminish equally starting around 50k, and will be looking at replacement soon depending on use and conditions.

I installed 2013 ZCP shocks and struts onto my 2008 non ZCP with H&R race springs, E36 m3 bump stops and new mounts (also for the 2013). The shocks worked with my factory EDC calibration, but coded the ZCP package into my VO shortly after. Coded euro MDM at the same time.

All of the parts are 100% interchangeable.

Are you thinking B12 with the EDC delete? I can only find the B6 and Damptronic for cars that want to retain the EDC.

I'm at 51K miles and looking to upgrade soon!

SYT_Shadow wrote

When the ZCP car's shocks are dead, probably by 40k miles, I want to get the B12 kit with EDC. That has to be very interesting indeed!

It's sad to see how many people go with 'coilovers' on street cars. Then they wonder why their car rides like a train...

To retain EDC, you go B6 or B16.
B12, I think, is B8s (non-EDC) + Eibachs.
But, B6 and B8 are the same, except shaft length, and B8s are only recommended when dropping ~1''+. So you can make the equivalent of an EDC B12 with EDC B6s + mild springs.

A few are very happy with their EDC B6s with Eibachs (or Dinans, or Swifts) but others have admitted to being more satisfied with the OEM setup, especially if ZCP.

I think the Bilstein stuff is a worthwhile swap as you approach 50K, but probably not an upgrade worth doing any sooner.

To clarify my post above, the benefits of a ZCP car are the suspension and wheels (wheels easily changed). As cars approach 50K and need suspension overhauls, the fact that all parts are interchangeable makes the value of a ZCP car reduced (closer to a non-ZCP car). Unless it's a garage queen or collector, why would I pay much more for a ZCP car that needs a suspension refresh when I can get a non-ZCP car and get to the exact same point after a refresh, for less? Either throw ZCP hardware on the non-ZCP car, or go Bilstein under either scenario, whichever one wants to do, and after coding, the cars are identical.