coilover front suspension?

[fatdarryl]

I spied the racing suspension setup on 500mania.. and started thinking! If I was to build a coilover setup, would I need to reinforce the upper shock mount, as in standard trim the main forces are supported by the leaf spring and the rest just control the stroke (and some lateral forces). Obviously in a coilover setup the main forces would have to be supported by the upper mount. Any ideas?

The setup on 500 mania looks very nice but... 900 euros?
 I'm sure I could put something together!

[bis13]

it would be the lower wishbones that would replace the leafspring and the transfer would be soaked up by the spring movement in the coilover the topmounts would be okay but could be beefed up if you wish too and a strut brace would stiffen the whole lot up it all depends on what your cars bodywork is like these mods have been done for donkeys years and no problems have been reported .

[fatdarryl]

Thanks, the main thought in my head was.. is there any reason you couldn't use the longest leaf on its own as the bottom end rather than the wishbones? would it be too flexy? Obviously it would require a slightly lower rate on the coilover springs (or just a higher spring rate)... am I getting too adventurous? Maybe I should get it fixed up in standard trim first! 

[bis13]

your steering would be flexing all over the shop more like trying to drive a jelly!! the wishbones work because they are triangulated and if you used the single leafspring it would flex and under strain most likely fail. if you wish to try and fabricate a lower wishbone setup to facilitate the use of coilovers then you must stick to the tried and tested designs for success.

[stuey]

I'll be honest I have been looking at a cheaper alternative to the comercially available coil over conversions on the market today the all seem to consist of 4 things-

1- the centre bar this would be easy to make as it bolts to the existing pick up points for the leaf spring mounts -you need to know how far out and down the pick ups for the suspension arms would need to go..

2- the arms - I was considering using a set of modified top arms of the correct (but as yet undetermined) length) with a bush mounting similar to the one used for the original leaf spring.

3- coil overs- gaz should be able to make these to order depending on your ride height/ requirements

4 strenghtheners for the coilovers inside the car - I was going to make a set of hea gauge spreader plates and donuts to weld in the front boot...


thats the theory but I have no idea how to work out the dimensions....(yet!!!-  )