Another BIS - To Spain!

[jonny126]

With regards to the leaf spring and lowering, I've managed to get some measurements to start fabbing up a lower wishbone conversion, which should be pretty easy to put together. Only costly bit will be the coilovers. I'm looking into existing short pin-pin coilovers but can't find any yet.

[Kowalski]

start fabbing up a lower wishbone conversion, which should be pretty easy to put together.

I am looking onto viable solutions for my 126 too.
I'm not in a hurry as I don't want to rush things.

I'd consider reinforcing the suspension domes before gathering up the parts.
I plan to attend some 500-126 events on track this year. I will try to spot interesting setups there, then maybe post some interesting photos here. It's going to be in september though; the majority of races are a long way from where i live.

Personally i wouldn't touch a nicely set up leaf spring without chassis mods.

[jonny126]

Would be cool to see other methods. I've had a look around on what other people have done, and they all seem relatively similar in set up. I was planning on putting some triangulation onto the top struts like someone did on here, I think it was the lad who was doing the alfa engine swap. Other than that, the conversion is more for aesthetics and getting it suitably low for what I want. Its an excuse to make something up too!

Let me know if/what you find out. I can always change design if it doesn't work, it's all about testing!

[Hazey-n-Marc]

If you just want to lower it check out stuey's car. He has the original suspension set up but has managed a three and a half inch drop. We put his nose to nose with mine and measured it. He has a photo somewhere. They are so light at the front that it is hard to get springs soft enough. I think the unsprung weight of the front is less than 200kg's so only around 90kg's a corner. Honda c50 rear springs would probably do.

Marc

[jonny126]

Thanks Marc I'll give stuey a shout. I was thinking if I did go for coilies I wouldnt need anything too hard!

I managed to faf around a bit today, nothing much happened other than mocking stuff up. Threw the wellers on the front without the front leaf on it it looks pretty rad! The panel and lights are just resting at the moment.













Here's a shot of the old wing's underside. Crusty crusty!


Oh I got it running too. I'll pop a vid up of that soon, but its not too interesting. It just sort of works. Needs a bit of work on the idle as it seems to struggle a but. Either way, its got oil pressure, fuel, a clean fuel filter and charge. The only downside is either the stat is stuck or the rad's blocked. Hot top pipes with pressure and naf all in the bottom ones. I'll investigate that tomorrow.

[jonny126]

Managed to machine down the leaf spring mounting blocks today and re-mount the spring, which I re-arranged as I re-greased it. It's lower but not much, as I expected to be honest. It looks like a coilover conversion is the only way to go!







I copper greased them just to be safe and try and prevent them corroding to the steel again!

[Scarlettkitten]

Nice work on the blocks, I'm thinking of a coil over job on mine too, making my own lower control arms and bar to fit across the middle, like it's been mentioned it's finding sprtings soft enough, will the rear 500 coilovers work on the front maybe :/

[Gadge]

How much did you shave off the blocks? I'm thinking of doing this to mine. I've already fitted the reverse eye spring which has brought it down a wee bit but not as much as I thought.

[jonny126]

The rears should work so long as they're threaded both ends. I've found that the ones available are pretty pricey. I was looking at AVO shocks and their universal ones come in at about 90-100 each, which isnt bad. I reckon a 150lb spring would be ok. still pretty stiff though, but seeing as the wheel width im going for is a bit extreme i'll need less body roll. They must be able to do softer spring rates too, just depends on length. For everyday use something softer would be a lot more usable!

The block measures 33.5mm height, I got it down to 20mm so a drop of 13.5mm. Not huge, and doing that swapping leafs around saw very little change.

I'll ring AVO tomorrow if I remember and ask about the coilies.

[Hazey-n-Marc]

How did you get your lights to sit like that? Looks good

Marc

[andyzeetec]

Looking Gooood. 

[jonny126]

Cheers guys! Marc, the lights I just rested on the front panel, didnt fasten them to anything so thats how they sat. I may well see if I can mount them that way, it looks quite cool! Could go the other way and slightly angle the inside down, bozo style.

We'll see.

[jonny126]

A little more work done on the fiat, a nice payday spending spree saw me with a good few bits needed for sorting stuff out as well as prepping for welding. Got a good size welding rented welding bottle, but couldnt find a regulator or shrouds around my area. I'll get some tomorrow and start welding when I can.

I managed to sort some brake discs out, studs, and new rear wheel cylinders and shoes. Brake lines where understandably seized so chopped them off. I'll make some new lines at some point. The fluid smelled really weird, understandable when its been in there for years, never smelt anything like it though. Got some wobble bolts and spigot rings for the wellers too.





Also got some pressed ali plates made up



Oh, managed to snap my vice after a few months of use. I'll be welding it back together, good bit of practice!



Cinq calipers and pads should be turning up soon, have talked to AVO about coilover shocks for the front and they say 80 quid + VAT so not bad really. A damn sight cheaper than the other sets I've seen!

[thepuddlejumper]

Hi any more info on the front AVO shocks, I am thinking on changing over as well.
Ralph

[stuey]

If you just want to lower it check out stuey's car. He has the original suspension set up but has managed a three and a half inch drop. We put his nose to nose with mine and measured it. He has a photo somewhere. They are so light at the front that it is hard to get springs soft enough. I think the unsprung weight of the front is less than 200kg's so only around 90kg's a corner. Honda c50 rear springs would probably do.

Marc

this pic  

nice work by the way- its looking awesome- ive cut my blocks since this pic as well so its lower at the front..