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| How to make rear coil-overs using factory struts, with pics. (Page 37/49) |
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couldahadaV8
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AUG 31, 10:03 AM
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I just finished making my coilovers and have a serious problem with them. I will post some pictures later of how I cut off the spring perch in the lathe, since it is mentioned as a way to do it but not shown.
What I used are Monroe struts, cheap "e-bay" type threaded collars, and Summit Racing's QA1 springs that are 12" long and 325 lbs.in (this car has a SBC with a 4T65E-HD so it is heavier than stock). This car is not running yet, so I don't know how it is on the road.
Here is the problem. The car initially sat way too high; it has a Dino body on it and there was about 4" of clearance above the rear tire. With the coilovers I lowered it down maybe 2 1/2" or so; I didn't take an initial measurement so I'm not exactly sure how much. The lowest part of the frame cradle is now about 3 1/2" from the ground. This is too low for me, and too low for the poor condition of the roads around here. But the biggest problem is that there is no suspension travel left! It is right down on the shock bump-stop now. My modified bump-stops are about 1 1/4" long, so maybe I can shorten them a little.
How do you people lower your cars 2" and still have any suspenstion travel? To get 2" of suspension travel (which I think would be a bare minimum) I have to raise it back up 2". I was thinking of flipping the upper plate around (the one with the rubber bushing in it) as was mentioned above. This will give around 1 1/4" suspension travel. I would still have to raise the car up a little. Is it maybe that Monroe struts are different somehow than other ones people are using?
thanks,
Rick[This message has been edited by couldahadaV8 (edited 08-31-2009).]
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IVANNATINKLE
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JAN 15, 02:10 AM
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i have an 87 gt with the 3.8 so from what i understand the 7in collar with the 12 in 300 spring should work?
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couldahadaV8
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JAN 15, 07:01 AM
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| quote | Originally posted by IVANNATINKLE:
i have an 87 gt with the 3.8 so from what i understand the 7in collar with the 12 in 300 spring should work? |
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I'm pretty sure that will work fine. I find that the spring seat is around 2-3" from the bottom of the threaded collar, so a 7" collar is easily long enough with 12" springs. Also, the 300 lb/in rating should be good.
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IVANNATINKLE
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JAN 15, 12:33 PM
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i was thinking of using slightly used maybe 5k on them rear kyb struts but it says people use stock ones?? im not sure should i find a set of cheep stock ones instead?? what will the difference be between using an old set of blown stock struts and my newer set of kyb?
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Tha Driver
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JAN 15, 01:40 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by couldahadaV8:
cheap "e-bay" type threaded collars
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OK: several of us keep asking - what car do you buy the sleeves for that fit the Fiero struts?
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"
Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!
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couldahadaV8
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JAN 15, 03:46 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by Tha Driver:
OK: several of us keep asking - what car do you buy the sleeves for that fit the Fiero struts?
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I went to a place down the street (I know, that helps you a lot!) and bought mine. It was one of those places that sells cheap imported car accessories (spring kits, steering wheels, spoilers...). I had to buy a whole kit for converting a Honda to coilovers at all 4 corners. I don't know exactly what Honda it was for (I'll check on the packaging again and see if it says anything) but I don't think it really matters. As long as the threaded tubes have a 2" bore you are good to go. I obviously didn't use the springs and other parts that came with it, but it was still a good price. I think the 2" bore adaptors must be a fairly common size.
Rick[This message has been edited by couldahadaV8 (edited 01-15-2010).]
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SGS
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JAN 15, 04:27 PM
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Yes, coilover sleeves for 50mm tubes (~2") are common.
You can google it. You can find the sleeves for less than $15 each if you look. Of course, you'll need the other hardware too.
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RWDPLZ
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JAN 15, 04:43 PM
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Tha Driver
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JAN 15, 08:45 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by couldahadaV8:
I went to a place down the street (I know, that helps you a lot!) and bought mine. It was one of those places that sells cheap imported car accessories (spring kits, steering wheels, spoilers...). I had to buy a whole kit for converting a Honda to coilovers at all 4 corners. I don't know exactly what Honda it was for (I'll check on the packaging again and see if it says anything) but I don't think it really matters. As long as the threaded tubes have a 2" bore you are good to go. I obviously didn't use the springs and other parts that came with it, but it was still a good price. I think the 2" bore adaptors must be a fairly common size.
Rick
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If you could that I would appreciate it. Even a brand & part # would help.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"
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Tha Driver
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JAN 15, 08:50 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by SGS:
Yes, coilover sleeves for 50mm tubes (~2") are common.
You can google it. You can find the sleeves for less than $15 each if you look. Of course, you'll need the other hardware too. |
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Yeah.... I had a set that was supposed to be for a Honda (no idea which one) & I spent 2 hours on each sleeve trying to hone it out to fit over the Fiero struts, & they were still too tight to fit down all the way. I had 40 grit wrapped around a cylinder hone & then went to 80 grit & 180 grit, & like I said after 2 hours on each one they still didn't fit. I'm not doing that again.... 
I've searched (several times on different search engines), asked several times here, emailed a LOT of sellers, & not a single person can come up the car you need to buy sleeves for that will fit the Fiero.
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"
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