Tips on IFS and IRS for a Healey 3000

[Speedchop]

Guys,
I'm really struggling on this one... there are simply not enough people in Sweden to provide any advice on this!

I know you are a knowleadgeable bunch! I'm looking after an independent front and rear suspension (coilover) for my Austin Healey kit car. I'm not scared to fabricate but I would appreciate winning less work through finding someone that could provide front control arms (with decent geometry) incl spindle (rotor and capilers (wilwood!) as well). Steering rack in front of crossmember. I've been looking on a freelander diff fo the rear as well.. Does anyone in the UK provide a decent diff cage incl control arms and carriers?

My basic measures are as follows (keep in mind it's a monocoque chassis with frame bars built into the structure):

135 cm from disc face to disc face (same in front and rear) - cannot go wider!

56 cm from inside to inside of frame bars (front)

64 cm from outside to outside of frame bars (front)

Chassis is for a "rigid" rear axle.

I'll manufacture the crossmember to support the control arms similar to the Mustang 2 setup.

Any tips on where I could find reconditioned stuff such as diff, spindles etc. and ballpark figures w r t price would be highly appreciated.

Any tips of where I could source diff cage, control arms etc would also be extremely appreciated...

Thanks in advance/ Jonas

[Speedchop]

Oh, almost forgot...

I'll be running a TVR Chimaera and a T5 gearbox. The car weighs approx 900 kgs.

Thanks again/ Jonas

[Speedchop]

Aah, winehead.. it's a Chim 400 HC.

Anybody?

Cheers/ Jonas

[Turn7]

Hi
Not entirely sure its much help, but anything kit Healey related over here must be worth talking to

Sebring ?

[Speedchop]

Thanks, I'll check it! I dunno if Sebring would part with their IPR. Hey, I'm competing with them Just kidding, my car is a one-off.

I was just thinking, all the 7 guys out there has really advanced suspension setups. Someone must have some blueprints (or rough sketches) and a list of donor components suitable for a DIY setup.

Any advice?

Cheers/ Jonas

[Speedchop]

Anyone?

Cheers/ Jonas

[Paul Drawmer]

When you say it's a Healey kit car, and that it has a monocoque - what exactly is it underneath?

[Speedchop]

Point taken.. I don't have any good pics but I'll try and describe...

The frame is based around Volvo 140 series components. This means a self contained front suspension similar to the Mustang 2, i.e. crossmember (bolted) and then you have your control arms (wishbones) and steering gear (old style in Volvos case, with pit man arm) all bolted to the crossmember. Basic measures as above.

I'm opting to fabricate a new crossmember incl (adjustable) control arms and fit a decent rack and pinion type steering. this means that I will have a good level of freedom when it comes to designing the solution.

In the rear it's a solid axle today (Dana 30 or in Volvo language a 1031 axle). It has lower and upper bars (similar to 4-link but crappy and not adjustable. The rear also features a panhard bar. Again, I have a good level of freedom. Ideally I would like to het my hands on a diff cage for a Freelander or similar incl hub carriers. Ideally I would have control arms and coilovers to be fitted to the cage. I could the adapt/reinforce the chassis to accept the cage.

Thanks so far for the input!

Cheers/ Jonas

[Speedchop]

Found one decent.. hope it gives you an idea at least!

/Jonas

[simon3000]

looks like a very interesting project.you may be able to find some inspiration on www.locostbuilders.co.uk .

[Speedchop]

Thanks,
The car is actually driveable today with an old Rover lump and a 4 speed Rover box. I bought this car as an almost finished project. Unfortunately, the finish and some of the technical solutions are not up to par with what I expect. So this winter there will be a full tear down and re-build to get it to where I would like it to be. Thus the suspension question. A TVR driveline will also be thrown into the mix. Thought about a 302 but opted for a complete British Steel approach

/Jonas