Thread: Coil over replacement

Tweet

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Sometimes when we start putting springs on the tester it gets to be a real laugher at what the springs test out at vs. what they are actually rated at... Out of the box I've seen them off by as much as 40 lbs!!! As for the rating suggested for a particular car, remember that it also has a lot to do with front to rear weight and the angle the unit is mounted at. Looking at just the total weight of the car and picking a spring based on that can lead to errors in the spring rate. Whenever possible, I put the car on the scales and check the weight front to rear and side to side. Depends a lot on where components are placed as to how the weight is distributed on the four wheels... Good thing is that all the reputable vendors will exchange the coil over springs for a different rate as long as they haven't been beat up too bad during the install.

Now if I ever come up with an extra $6k for a shock dyno I can really waste a lot of time playing around with the stuff everyone else takes for granted!!!!!

All very valid points! The Kugal IFS does lean the shock quite a bit too! On the rear I don't have a great angle but they aren't straight or vertical.

Shock Dyno Huh... HMmmmmm.. I could waste more than a few hours with that!

OK, this'll be the third attempt to get these pics up!

I wanted (promised) to share some pics of the old & new shocks from the coupe. I keep locking up the manage attachments screen somehow?!?!

So before Randy razzes me for not getting any photos up, here goes nothin'!

Good looking set, for sure! I see you got the single adjustable, if the spring rates are correct you'll be able to really tune the handling with the adjustment...I would assume the adjustment is on the compression side???

Hey Mike, Man double check your lower adjuster nuts,from the pictures it appears they are upside down. I'm fairly certain the lips should be up to center the spring,otherwise the spring will destroy the adjuster threads on the shock body.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Good looking set, for sure! I see you got the single adjustable, if the spring rates are correct you'll be able to really tune the handling with the adjustment...I would assume the adjustment is on the compression side???

Thanks. Yes, single adjustment, but it's on the rebound side.

Originally Posted by HWORRELL

Hey Mike, Man double check your lower adjuster nuts,from the pictures it appears they are upside down. I'm fairly certain the lips should be up to center the spring,otherwise the spring will destroy the adjuster threads on the shock body.

Thanks for the heads up but, the "lip" is on the upside to keep the spring centered. I think what you're seeing is the jam nut which is just a bit smaller o.d. than the load carrying nut. Again, thanks for the heads-up and the reply!

Adjustable on the rebound is really handy on a drag car, no reason it won't work the same on the street... Does the literature that came with the shocks say what the valving is? Now that the Plymouth is almost done I'm starting to think on some suspension for the 'maro.... But I've taken so much weight off the car and put a lot of setback on the engine so I'm going to need some big numbers valve on the down side and either adjustable or a split valve on the rebound.... Curious what QA is building these days....The price on them is certainly a lot better then the AFCO's I keep thinking I'm going to need......

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Adjustable on the rebound is really handy on a drag car, no reason it won't work the same on the street... Does the literature that came with the shocks say what the valving is? Now that the Plymouth is almost done I'm starting to think on some suspension for the 'maro.... But I've taken so much weight off the car and put a lot of setback on the engine so I'm going to need some big numbers valve on the down side and either adjustable or a split valve on the rebound.... Curious what QA is building these days....The price on them is certainly a lot better then the AFCO's I keep thinking I'm going to need......

I was "playin'" with the valve adjustment before I set the springs into place. On the third click you can really feel the resistance coming on. I don't have the paperwork here at the house but I'm going down tomorrow after work and can scan it / send it to you if your so inclined. I was really interested in the AFCO's after the comments from you and IC2 and was headed in that direction but the costs were climbing and xmas and all.... I figured I better compromise and get a good value, when black friday come into play, they had a sale and no shipping costs so I went for it. The tech at AFCO\Speedway was great to work with and was willing to answer any question(s) and concerns.

Originally Posted by 34_40

I was "playin'" with the valve adjustment before I set the springs into place. On the third click you can really feel the resistance coming on. I don't have the paperwork here at the house but I'm going down tomorrow after work and can scan it / send it to you if your so inclined. I was really interested in the AFCO's after the comments from you and IC2 and was headed in that direction but the costs were climbing and xmas and all.... I figured I better compromise and get a good value, when black friday come into play, they had a sale and no shipping costs so I went for it. The tech at AFCO\Speedway was great to work with and was willing to answer any question(s) and concerns.

Yup, I've always had real good results when talking with the techs at Speedway. Had a very interesting chat with them the other day about the new AFCO Reactor shocks---expensive but lots of tuneability built into them--double adjustable plus easy to change valving around inside.... Have to see how things look when I start putting the 'maro together and playing with it on the scales.

QA1 has a very good cataloque that is FULL of info about rates, angles, mounting distances(arm length)ratios, and they have sections broken down for street cars, drag cars, etc,etc---call or email them to have them send you one. They also have different techs for info on the differant types of vehicles/suspensions

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

QA1 has a very good cataloque that is FULL of info about rates, angles, mounting distances(arm length)ratios, and they have sections broken down for street cars, drag cars, etc,etc---call or email them to have them send you one. They also have different techs for info on the differant types of vehicles/suspensions

Thanks for the reply Jerry! Yes, I was talking with the "streed rod tech", he fields the majority of calls on street rod shocks. Very knowledgable and courteous! As of right now I've got no complaints! Of course, I haven't got out of the garage yet! ROFL!!

I believe that one of the big issues is where(at what leverage) the coilover is mounted in the suspension setup--Pretty much everyone has a feel for the differance the angle effects it, but completely miss it as to the leverage moments of the suspension arms. In my builds, I will mount the coil over directly above the axle so as to have a direct one to one moment arm as to the spring rates

Interesting points! And as I think about it. My front IFS has the shock immediately in line with the spindle and the lower shock mounts right behind the lower ball joint. And the rear is typical - mounts right behind the axle. I hope to finish it this weekend and go for a (very cold) ride! Again, thanks for the reply and interesting discussion!