How to reinforce rear shock towers?

[RideShoot&Drink]

I'm thinking to convert my 78sc to coilovers. It's 50/50 who suggest to reinforce rear shock towers vs. who suggest it's not necessary.

Question 1: Is reinforcement absolutely needed to make such conversion a reliable upgrade?

Question 2: if yes, what's the best way to go about it? My car is targa converted to cab, so I can't go full cage route.

Any comments greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[randywebb]

search button will show several threads

[Zeke]

Originally posted by randywebb
search button will show several threads

Better than that, use Jack Olsen as the name and rear+shocks as the word search. Or just read the whole BBII thread. Search that under thread titles.

[masraum]

Yep, Jack Olsen's thread has pictures of the reinforcements.

[RideShoot&Drink]

Randy, Milt, Steve thanks for your replies. I've found those pics already. Now, I need to find somebody who could perform that reinforcement for me in SF Bay Area...

[randywebb]

Maybe call up Tyson and ask who he thinks would be good.

Note the triangular vs. "cross-bar" types done by various folks.

Be sure to find the other threads besides the JO one.

[patkeefe]

I've seen a few of these threads, and I always ask myself;

Why would anyone want to convert? What is the gain? Just curious.
Is the coilover design that much better to justify the work?

Pat

[randywebb]

1. fast setup changes for different tracks

2. ultra-stiff for that go-kart feel on very smooth tracks

3. able to cheat old-timey rules just like Norbie

4. Bling factor

[patkeefe]

So, for a street car, only #4 would apply?
And, thanks for the explanation. Never saw it in such concise terms before!

[randywebb]

Yes, also Tyson told me no need to put the triangular R shock stiffeners on a street car - but the oiriganl poster noted he was thinking of a full cage - so either he is building a race car, or the cops have a fairly unusual work release program for him...

Concisityness is a virtue!

[Jack Olsen]

In my opinion, there's no real advantage to coils, if it's not a track car. It only hurts your weight distribution.

[TRE Cup]

If you've decided on coil overs, then the rear shock tube needs to be reinforced not only on the shock mountings, but on the areas where this "bridge" meets the frame rails. Otherwise it will eventually crack there too.

[RideShoot&Drink]

Originally posted by randywebb
...., or the cops have a fairly unusual work release program for him...

Concisityness is a virtue!

HAHA, this is it!

[RideShoot&Drink]

How come I didn't get email notification on all the suggestions, hmmmm. But, thanks for your replies.

[Craig 930 RS]

"There is NO reason why a torsion bar car cannot be made to handle superbly"

Steve Weiner

[ted]

A photo I found on Pelican.

[Steve W]

Yes - and I just looked at a coilovered 930 today on the lift this afternoon where the 'bridge' completely separated from the frame on one side and the car took a complete dump on that corner!

Originally posted by TRE Cup
If you've decided on coil overs, then the rear shock tube needs to be reinforced not only on the shock mountings, but on the areas where this "bridge" meets the frame rails. Otherwise it will eventually crack there too.

[RideShoot&Drink]

Hey Craig, doesn't your new ride have coilovers on the back?

[Craig 930 RS]

It does. 150 lb helper springs with 33mm torsions.
Shock towers are reinforced with 2 gussets ea side, plus some additional longitudinal/fore-aft bracing.

THis, combined with a full cage makes for a remarkably rigid chassis

[chrisp]

What's the rate on a coilover conversion setup? I know t-bar rates (thanks Will Ferch!) but what are the at-the-wheel rates for coil over cars?

...just wondering how much juice is coming from this squeeze.