JRZ RS Suspension

Updated with E90/91/92 application (non-M) including 1-series!

When it comes to suspension, there are many levels of modifications to consider.  Based on your specific needs and requirements, there are upgrades from the very basic to very complicated.

In the years of selling high performance suspensions to our local customer base, we have tried virtually all different brands and levels of suspension.  Whereas some may have their "favorite", ours is certainly the JRZ RS suspension for the BMW E36 and E46 chassis.  What may be an expensive purchase initially, the JRZ RS suspension turns out to be a smart long term investment for those planning on continual upgrades to their vehicle.

Aftermarket Investment?
To call such a purchase an "investment" may be a stretch by most, but consider the following very real experience that we see at Rogue Engineering all too often.  For example, take this very real account

A customer (we'll call JD) comes to Rogue Engineering, looking improve the handling of his BMW E46 M3.  After some research, he determines that a popular double-adjustable suspension kit (with proprietary springs) is the way he wants to go.  Although it doesn't have some items such as camber plates, it's a start.  At $1800 (plus installation), he begins his track season.  After a successful track season, JD is happy with his purchase and even recommends it to others.  

The next track season rolls around, and now JD is looking for more.  He decides that camber plates ($500 plus installation) may give him the extra edge, in addition to more aggressive shock adjustments.  After a few track days, its apparent that the increased track speed is too much for the soft springs to handle.  Because of the limited spring availability (specific springs included in the coilover kit), it's time to upgrade to a more adjustable kit.

The next upgrade is another brand of double-adjustable suspension, this time with a few more spring options (from street to track).  At $2200, it's not too much more than the previous kit (which was sold for $1000 on the used market).  The camber plates were reused from the first kit, so there was no additional expense.  JD finishes out a successful track season on the new suspension.

To date, JD has spent $3500 (plus the cost of two suspension installations) to get a setup that isn't the same caliber (quality or range of adjustment) as the JRZ RS setup.  Plus, with limited spring options still, JD is stuck with a setup that limits his ability to go further, if his future requires.  If JD wants to get into more serious track and racing, he'll have to scrap his current setup for something more oriented for racing.  Of course, if JRZ RS was the initial choice, JD would be on the right track already.

Lesson learned?  It took a few seasons to determine that a more capable suspension system was required, but ultimately, more money was spent for less performance.

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Features of the JRZ RS Suspension Kit include:

• Double-adjustable coilover front struts, with independent "click" adjusters for rebound and dampening
• Double-adjustable rear shocks, with independent "click" adjusters for rebound and dampening (threaded for future rear coilover use)
• Fully CNC'd adjustable front camber plates
• Eibach Race Springs, front and rear (optional spring rates available in 50 # increments)
• Front tender "helper" springs (optional)
• Adjustable rear spring adjusters (weight jacking rear perches optional)
• Fully CNC'd rear shock mounts with reinforcement plates

JRZ RS FAQ
Q.  What's the difference between a JRZ RS shock and other kinds of shocks?
A.  There are a few differences that distinguish a JRZ RS shock:

1. Wide range of adjustments.  Whereas other "adjustable" shocks have similar features of rebound and compression adjustments, few have the wide range which allows JRZs to perform well under street conditions but suitable for the track.  This means you can use springs soft enough for the street or stiff enough for racecars, and the shocks have enough tunable range to satiate both extremes and everything in between.
2. The JRZ RS shock is twin-tube, high-gas, and 2-way. That means they can control both compression and rebound adjustment, independently. No one has ever done this with high-gas pressure. One can adjust the JRZ’s rebound without affecting compression. The advantage of gas pressure is that it stops oil from foaming and provides lifting force for the piston. No one else has figured out how to build a seal that allows gas pressure in a true twin tube. JRZ is the only one in the world that can do this. It’s something they’ve learned at showroom stock racing, and their package now gets the technology to the road.Like most things in the complex, inter-related world of suspension technology, which is an art form on top of some rigid science, the JRZ shock provides a number of benefits other than just rebound and compression.

Q.  Who the heck is JRZ?
A.  While most aftermarket suspension companies come from an OE background, producing OE replacement suspension, JRZ was founded in 1995 and has been dedicated to race suspension from its inception.  After years of successful race experience, JRZ begins marketing products for street driven cars.  The products that evolve from this development are the "clubsport" product known as JRZ RS and RS-Pro dampers. 

Q.  Where can I get parts for JRZ shocks if they require servicing?
A.  As history would have it, the parts for JRZ are identical to those used in ProTrax and Moton (both of these companies have beginnings at JRZ) so the internal parts are interchangeable, if required. 

Q.  How can this system be fine tuned to my requirements?
A.  Because of the wide adjustment range of the JRZ shocks, spring rates as little as 400 lbs. all the way up to 1000 lbs. can be used.  While some coilover systems have only one spring set (others may have more, similar to a small, medium, large ideology), Eibach manufactures constant diameter spring in rates as low as 25 lb. increments for very specific suspension tuning.

Q.  What about swaybars?  I like having big fat swaybars.
A.  True suspension tuning is not about how much a car leans.  There are aspects of suspension tuning that extend far beyond swaybars.  For suspension novices, swaybars are the first change in suspension because the use of them makes the car feel different.  For true tuning, swaybars are the last item to be added, and typically, only one is changed.

Q.  What are helper springs?
A.  Unlike the main tender spring that has effect on road feel, the helper spring is used to keep the main spring on the spring seat when the wheel is completely released.  This reduces potential spring noise.  Installation of the helper spring does not affect the suspension characteristics of the vehicle.

Q.  What is a "weight jacking rear" adjuster?
A.  The upgraded weight jacking rear adjuster addresses the issue of inconsistent spring rates caused by the bending of the spring during suspension movement.  Additionally, the weight jacking rear adjuster also allows for height adjustments from underneath the car, without the need to remove the wheel and unbolting the rear shock to adjust the height.

Exclusivity for the Few
Availability of the JRZ RS suspension requires adequate lead time, especially during track season.  

To configure a custom JRZ RS suspension for your vehicle, please contact us by PHONE at 201-444-8150 (M-F 9am-5pm) to begin the initial consultation.