Blooze Own: An F355 Six Speed N* Build Thread (Page 97/126)
Jims88 FEB 25, 05:46 PM
Cool YouTube suspension video, seeing that is "magic"
BTW those detailed cradle drawings you created were very helpful, when I had to "tweak" my 88 cradle back into spec.
A BIG Thank You for that.

Jim
X-Body FEB 26, 12:48 AM
"The instructions for the coil overs say that anti-seize compound must be smeared on the shock tube's threads before attempting to adjust them otherwise there's a risk of galling up the threads. That's going to make a mess."

Why not make yourself a custom spring compressor that fits while the shocks are on the car? That way you can adjust without the risk or the mess.
Will FEB 26, 09:34 AM
He said he'd have "spring socks" or something similar on it... but I can imagine that anti-seize + a couple thousand miles of road grit would not be friendly for turning the adjusters either.
Yarmouth Fiero FEB 26, 09:52 AM
Blooz is pretty darn meticulous. I suspect once the springs are set, he'll wipe off the excess and clean up the exposed threads. What remains under the nut will suffice for minor spring tension adjustments. No point soiling that sterile engine bay.
Bloozberry FEB 26, 03:00 PM
Thanks everyone for your comments! Time to answer a few questions:


quote
Originally posted by Yarmouth Fiero:
What's next?



I still have to sort out axles, make a flywheel, and buy a clutch package.


quote
Originally posted by Sage:
In your estimation, will the ride be as stiff, less stiff or about the same as a "normal" coil-over set up?



Since the bell crank ratio is close to 1:1, the ride stiffness should be no different than a normal coil-over set up with the same springs.


quote
Originally posted by Jim88GT:
Any thoughts/concerns about engine bay heat affecting shock performance?



I hadn't considered that aspect. I suppose it's possible that heat build up could affect their performance. I guess I'll have to hope that the airflow through the engine bay will be enough to keep this in check. Bear in mind that the F355 deck lid has a fairly large grill to exhaust engine heat so it's not like the shocks are going to be enclosed under the deck.


quote
Originally posted by X-Body:
Why not make yourself a custom spring compressor that fits while the shocks are on the car? That way you can adjust without the risk or the mess.



It turns out my concerns about having to smear anti-seize on the shock body were for nothing. I had forgotten that with the suspension in full droop, the springs only need to be compressed 0.3", which was easy enough to do by hand. So I just let the suspension droop to its lowest point, turned the adjuster all the way down the shock body, slipped the spring over the shock, reattached the end of the shock to the mount, and retightened the adjuster by hand until all the slack was taken up plus an additional 5/16". No wrenches + no anti-seize + no mess = one happy guy! (I'll need a set of wrenches only to tighten the lock nut).
Will FEB 26, 03:38 PM

quote
Originally posted by Bloozberry:

It turns out my concerns about having to smear anti-seize on the shock body were for nothing. I had forgotten that with the suspension in full droop, the springs only need to be compressed 0.3", which was easy enough to do by hand. So I just let the suspension droop to its lowest point, turned the adjuster all the way down the shock body, slipped the spring over the shock, reattached the end of the shock to the mount, and retightened the adjuster by hand until all the slack was taken up plus an additional 5/16". No wrenches + no anti-seize + no mess = one happy guy! (I'll need a set of wrenches only to tighten the lock nut).



I was wondering about that. I remembered that you'd designed for a small amount of preload, but I didn't remember how much. The springs on my struts are completely unloaded when the car's jacked up.
fierogt28 FEB 26, 09:56 PM
Hey Blooze, once your finished mocking up the engine, suspension, (front and rear) interior, underneath, etc.
will you be dipping this frame or painting all black and use sealer in the joints like factory cars are done??

Since all the effort, work, and time going into this built, I guess the last thing you want is to worry about rust.

Any plans yet??

Good work because this is really a "custom" build. A first I've seen on PFF.

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fierogt28

88 GT, Loaded, 5-speed.
88 GT, 5-speed. Beechwood interior, All original.

Diamond Dave FEB 27, 06:57 AM
I have just about read your whole article. I have been up nights just thinking about your build. Really great by the way. You give us so much to think about. I also want to put a Northstar in my 1984 Enterra. One thing I missed was how you mated the F40 to the Northstar. Stuff like flywheel, clutch used, things like that. What I would give to have you as my neighbor. Would Canada bust my balls if you helped me with my car? Doesn't hurt to ask. Anyways love your page and build. By the way I am a master goldsmith with the last name of Tiffany. I have a nice store in southern Idaho. Just thought we might put our love of our cars to good use. I know I could make you wife a very happy girl if we could work something out. That should earn you some bonus points mate. Let me know what you think?
Diamond Dave FEB 27, 07:07 AM
Crap. Just read back a couple of posts and saw your post stating you hadn't worked out clutch, flywheel, and axels. In twentyfive pages I thought you just forgot this tidbit. Like I said earlier I love this build and the input from all the others. Still it looked like the tranny mounted right up. Is this at least a right assumption?
Diamond Dave MAR 03, 04:30 AM
Wow and wow. You guys make my head hurt. It is unbelievable what is being shared here on this thread. The whole thread is absolutely inspirational and of great help to most of us fiero build dreamers. Blooze, I mean it dude, you are something else. Which brings me to this.

I asked you once in a round about way.....does the f40 bolt right up to the N*?
Also what is your opinion on the available suspensions out there like held? Are they any better than stock suspension with upgrade shocks and struts? Don't get me wrong I think your system your working out is 10 tens. Just would like to know how you would go if your not a welder/fabricator.

Thanks again for all your sweat, blood, and possible tears. Love this thread.

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Diamond Dave

84 Enterra the only one
88 Formula