coilovers

[steven]

Im thinking of building a set of coilovers for the front end, got a few question.

What pound rating spring will in need? this will be a road car.
Would i be better moving the stearing arm thing down the tube abit? if so by how much?
What dampers would be best?

Something like the one below (stolen picture of internet)

[RallyMarshal]

Big block or small block?

I ask as I have a set of standard small block ones converted to coilovers that will be for sale shortly.. They take a standard cartridge damper.

I suspect the ones above take a different type of "inverted" damper... I also have a set of those spare but they wont take a standard cartridge.

Paul..

[steven]

mines big block

[steven]

i was thinking of using normal type shocks, its the fab work i was showing.

[RallyMarshal]

Fair point..

Id stick with the standard steering arm position, then buy a coilover sleeving kit - will need to be 2.5 inch diamater spring size as 2.25 wont fit.

Rally design / Compbrake do them. Just check the internal diameter of the kit is big enough to go over the standard strut tube size, Some will and some wont..

Paul..

[steven]

ill have a look at the parts. Any idea on the shocks? Adjustable ones id prefer,was looking at the gaz ones as ive got these on the back of by other car.

[DarrenH]

the purpose of moving the steering arm down is so the threaded coilover sleeve can reach further, therefore bottom spring perch can be lower, longer spring, more travel (damper allowing of course)

proper pilbeam versions had the steering arm angled back up to the standard position so that the track rods are level (without this it would alter the bump steer) also the reinforcement between the steering knuckle and damper tube is a specialised welding work due to dissimilar metals. (cast steel and normal steel)

[steven]

Thanks for the info, the welding won't be a problem.see what you mean about the steering arm angled up.

[DarrenH]

heres an example of the group A works version, notice its angled up to correct

[DarrenH]

slightly better one

[steven]

Thanks looks like it's a fully fabricated leg.

[DarrenH]

Thanks looks like it's a fully fabricated leg.

bang on, its a pilbeam group A works item. it was just to serve a purpose of showing the angled steering arm.

the opel sport group A legs were modified exactly like your original picture, but they still used standard pig tail springs....

[RallyMarshal]

If your running with a standard type cartridge damper then theres only so much you can do length and travel wise so the coilover conversion is really to allow you to run standardised springs and lower ride heights than normal, depending on your preference.

Paul..

[steven]

the reason i want coilovers is not to lower the car alot but to level it up,the car sits a little bit higher on the passenger side and it bugging me.So will be running standard type type cartridges.

[RallyMarshal]

http://www.compbrake.com/product/2-1-2-spring-conversion-kit-each/

But I think the threaded tubes are alloy not steel so might need some kind of retainer ring making... usually Id just weld the bottom and top to the strut casing..

Paul..