No room for coil-overs. Now what?

[cstreit]

Here it is...

[Kevin Stewart]

Yea I see the problem, here is a sugestion if you dont like it dont use it, first the rubber bushings have to go, you need a heim joint on that end, that ruuber acts like a spring so ditch it, you want the shock and spring to work, I have drawn a picture and included a link to a part, remember the spacer is made to what ever lenghth you need, we do a lot of race car fab work and this is what I would do, also remember to drill a hole in one of the plates and put the bolt through and weld the head side then weld to the spacer, Kevin

and the the two heim adapters are only like 6 bucks each, bilestein will be able to sell you heims for the other side,

http://www.allstarperformance.com/product.htm?prod=232

[scca_ita]

Originally posted by cstreit
Here it is...

Gulp.... I have the same setup which are new, So I just went out to test fit mine in my 66 tub and .............. I have the same problem!

[cstreit]

Upside down shocks are the way to go unless you have some philisophical issue with that. about $300 gets you the kit snad makes these a bolt-in modification...

(Mind you this doesn't release you from gusseting the upper shock mount for strength, and possibly the cross member itself)

[cstreit]

Kevin,

I'm intrigued but your engineering drawing left me a bit confused. Can you elaborate on this?

[Kevin Stewart]

Basicaly making your own spacer, cut round tube to the length you need, then make two caps, drill hole in one side slide bolt through then weld, cap on weld the opposite side cap on, the weld on the u shaped bracket that i sent a picture of on the opposite side of the bolt, spacer is done, this way the shock doesnt have to go into the hole,

shock you will have to put a heim joint on the threaded side, who ever made you shock will have them

bolt shock to spacer(u shape clamp) slide the shock in hole and bolt spacer to frame, the only problem i dont know how much room your gonna have for travel if you car is really lowered, you should set the car at ride height measure the distanec from where it bolts to the car to the shock eye, compress the shock to this length and check to see if there will be enough travel on the shock, Kevin

[cstreit]

Gotcha.

I looked at similar options and came to the conclusion that it would really limite what little travel I have. My car is pretty slammed... 2.5" clearance on the anti-roll bar drop links!

[scca_ita]

Originally posted by cstreit
Upside down shocks are the way to go unless you have some philisophical issue with that. about $300 gets you the kit snad makes these a bolt-in modification...

And would the philisophical issue be more unsprung weight? Spring + Purch

[MT912RS]

Approximately 1/2 of the spring is unsprung no matter what. The upsidedown mode gives you less unsprung because the body and fluid of the damper stay stationary and the rod only moves . !.......IF IT MOVES RELATIVE TO THE TUB WHEN THE SUSPENSION MOVES IT IS UNSPRUNG.....!

[cstreit]

MT912... I've always wondered why people said that... You've neatly answered my question in one sentence!

[luvndasun]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by cstreit
Upside down shocks are the way to go unless you have some philisophical issue with that. about $300 gets you the kit snad makes these a bolt-in modification...

Who sells the kit that makes this a bolt in modification? Is there a similar kit needed to change to coil overs in the front? If needed, would you get the kit for the front at the same place?

[cstreit]

I got mine from Mirage International. Jae is a super guy and a lot of help. The TRG ones I got come stock with a Helicoil in them at the top bolt area, which I have a major issue with.

Mirage's are correctly sized.

Coil-overs in the front are much more simple....

[Jim2]

The upside down shocks cost a bit, but you only have to buy them once, and they SOLVE the problem. The alternate is modification. Guess you have to weigh your time and the work (headache) versus the cost.

I chose not to modify the crossmember, and in order to save $ I converted my coilover shocks to "bottom mount" the springs. Though I have the skill and gear to do this, I would not suggest it to others. The upside down assemblies just SOLVE the problem.

Jim

[cstreit]

Yep. I did this to strengthen the cross member.



...and note the side gussets that would work for a street car here...