Coilover help

  1. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 morecambe Posts: 4286 2003 vtr/s
    #1
    Im looking at changing my front struts to coilovers, at the moment there modified ones by gaz for added camber but running standard size springs which are mega low. The strut brace catches, etc.

    Id like to know what sort of spring lenght and helpers i would need to bring it up abit to match the rear which is 50mm but would like the front to probably be abit lower but can adjust that, heres a pic of how it is atm-

  2. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Lancs Posts: 4124 JP4S'd R.
    #2
    Not much help.. but that looks the pups nuts mate!!!!
  3. West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL
    #3
    What youve got is gaz stock hatch stuff (iirc bought off dave)

    it depends on a few things as to what hieght youll end up with what topmounts will you be running and what dampers are you planning to use aswell as (but not as important) spring rates

    for example billie group ns even with firm springs below 50mm you might be catching the bump stops on bigger bumps
    And things like AST topmounta are taller than compbrake so yoid get about 15mm height difference between the 2

    I would say though as a guide run a 7" main and a 4" helper as the thicker helper will stop the pans touching when its compressed as they just compress anyway
    Will sit pretty much 50ish on compbrakes wound down on the adjusters from past experience
    if you dont like that height its about 35/40 quid for some 6" springs amd wind up but id try and keep some travel from the longer springs

    hopefully that makes sence i just woke up lol
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  4. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 morecambe Posts: 4286 2003 vtr/s
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AlexB View Post
    What youve got is gaz stock hatch stuff (iirc bought off dave)

    it depends on a few things as to what hieght youll end up with what topmounts will you be running and what dampers are you planning to use aswell as (but not as important) spring rates

    for example billie group ns even with firm springs below 50mm you might be catching the bump stops on bigger bumps
    And things like AST topmounta are taller than compbrake so yoid get about 15mm height difference between the 2

    I would say though as a guide run a 7" main and a 4" helper as the thicker helper will stop the pans touching when its compressed as they just compress anyway
    Will sit pretty much 50ish on compbrakes wound down on the adjusters from past experience
    if you dont like that height its about 35/40 quid for some 6" springs amd wind up but id try and keep some travel from the longer springs

    hopefully that makes sence i just woke up lol
    Yes they were daves (toad) old front struts. I was going to use just some longer standard size springs but ive had to fit some 3mm spacers aswell as the 20mm ones for the alloys as the tire was touching the springs so thought may aswell go coilovers for the smaller spring diameter and can adjust the height to get it spot on.

    Hopefully would be abit more travel so wont be as harsh on the road with longer springs. May go down to 275lb springs but not running a arb so cant go down too much.

    I like the compbrake top mounts and was thinking about getting them in the future but not sure if can use them without the 1degree camber as the struts have got enough camber to start with haha. Also heard about the bad fit they can be is only thing thats off putting.

    http://www.compbrake.co.uk/Parts-by-...-/prod_37.html

    prefer these though-
    http://www.compbrake.co.uk/Parts-by-...-/prod_41.html
  5. West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL
    #5
    The bad fitment issue was rectified a while ago on them so they fit fine now

    Are you planning to use the gaz dampers you have then and convert them im not sure welding on the damper itself is a very good idea as they dont have a removable insert iirc??
    As for the camber topmounts get the 0 degree ones as tbh youve allready got a bit much camber for a road car so any more wont be a good idea
  6. Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2004 Cambs Posts: 630 Vts track car
    #6
    If i was in the same position i would be inclined to sell the setup you have currently and probably go for a gaz basic coilover setup.

    As stated that was purpose built for sax max reg's/purpose track car.
    No need for anywhere near that camber on a road car and a fixed strut pan gives you no height adjustment unless you start experimenting with different spring length/rate.
  7. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 morecambe Posts: 4286 2003 vtr/s
    #7
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AlexB View Post
    The bad fitment issue was rectified a while ago on them so they fit fine now

    Are you planning to use the gaz dampers you have then and convert them im not sure welding on the damper itself is a very good idea as they dont have a removable insert iirc??
    As for the camber topmounts get the 0 degree ones as tbh youve allready got a bit much camber for a road car so any more wont be a good idea
    Ye i was going to use the current gaz dampers but im guessing there gold dampers.
    You can get the coilover threaded part to just fit on rather than weld on cant you? If same diameter as the strut.

    Would just getting some longer lenght standard spring size be the best idea?
    I did think about enquiring to gaz about sending them off to be converted to coilovers.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Drago View Post
    If i was in the same position i would be inclined to sell the setup you have currently and probably go for a gaz basic coilover setup.

    As stated that was purpose built for sax max reg's/purpose track car.
    No need for anywhere near that camber on a road car and a fixed strut pan gives you no height adjustment unless you start experimenting with different spring length/rate.
    If i was to sell these id go for ast's tbh as there would be no need to down grade but for the extra camber for better turn in, etc id need to buy the ast top mounts which are alot altohugh very nice bit of kit.

    My dampers are adjustable at the top but ive seen the likes of toms gaz golds which are coilovers have a adjuster knob below the springs on the strut itself, not sure if thats aswell as top adjuster or just that one.
  8. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2009 Birmingham Posts: 4289 02 VTR'd Furio, 07 Audi A4 Avant S Line
    #8
    What size springs you got at moment? If they're the 5" ones (doubt they'll be tho) I'll buy them of you
  9. West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL
    #9
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jsdvtr View Post
    Ye i was going to use the current gaz dampers but im guessing there gold dampers.
    You can get the coilover threaded part to just fit on rather than weld on cant you? If same diameter as the strut.

    Would just getting some longer lenght standard spring size be the best idea?
    I did think about enquiring to gaz about sending them off to be converted to coilovers.

    The issue with that would be your dampers are shorter above the spring pan so a lot less room for that collar to go onto so o doubt it would work very well

    and we accidentally put the wrong spring onto them (lad sent dave avo springs by mistake when he bought them) and it was a bastard to compress them far enough to get on
    Compressing a 300lb spring to go on would suck

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jsdvtr View Post
    If i was to sell these id go for ast's tbh as there would be no need to down grade but for the extra camber for better turn in, etc id need to buy the ast top mounts which are alot altohugh very nice bit of kit.

    My dampers are adjustable at the top but ive seen the likes of toms gaz golds which are coilovers have a adjuster knob below the springs on the strut itself, not sure if thats aswell as top adjuster or just that one.
    You dont need more camber ideally youd want less and more castor putting more camber than you have would be a horrid car on the road max of 2.5 degrees i would say was road car use

    The golds are iirc the one knob below the tracking arm and thats it it does the same function as your top adjuster but is less prone to breaking off as its able to be a lot chunkier mounted lower down
  10. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Meerkat Harborough Posts: 2638 Saxo vtr mk 2
    #10
    yup one adjuster for bump and rebound...

    you dont need any more really, probably wont even adjust that very much
  11. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: May 2007 morecambe Posts: 4286 2003 vtr/s
    #11
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AlexB View Post
    The issue with that would be your dampers are shorter above the spring pan so a lot less room for that collar to go onto so o doubt it would work very well

    and we accidentally put the wrong spring onto them (lad sent dave avo springs by mistake when he bought them) and it was a bastard to compress them far enough to get on
    Compressing a 300lb spring to go on would suck


    You dont need more camber ideally youd want less and more castor putting more camber than you have would be a horrid car on the road max of 2.5 degrees i would say was road car use

    The golds are iirc the one knob below the tracking arm and thats it it does the same function as your top adjuster but is less prone to breaking off as its able to be a lot chunkier mounted lower down
    I remember reading daves thread about the guy giving him the wrong springs.
    May just leave it then but it was just the strut brace catches on the ground and also when i end up fitting the boost engine in car the boost pipes would catch too maybe but may need to change how i was going to run them.


    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Olly View Post
    yup one adjuster for bump and rebound...

    you dont need any more really, probably wont even adjust that very much
    I know the golds had only one bump and rebound adjustment on each strut but i wasnt sure why mine had it at the top but all others ive seen had it by the steering arm.
  12. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Dec 2008 Meerkat Harborough Posts: 2638 Saxo vtr mk 2
    #12
    maybe it isnt allowed in the series the struts were used for... so had to be incorporated into damper top or something?