competition struts

competition struts

Author
Discussion

mini_mad

Original Poster:

20 posts

221 months

Monday 19th December 2005
quotequote all
does anyone know where i can get hold of some competitions struts for a rover 214si rally car? they need to be front struts.

Cooperman

4,428 posts

249 months

Monday 20th February 2006
quotequote all
Well. MM, I never expected to find you on here.
I have also been experiencing the nsame problem. I got a 214Si last year which I have prepped to the Enduro 144 Rally spec.
Initially I used SPAX adjustables on the front with 220D front springs (140 lbs/inch?). On the first event, the Chelmsford Midsummer Enduro, the struts lasted about 2 hours and then started leaking fluid and not damping. There was also too much front-end body roll.
I then switched to KYB struts, still with the 220D springs, and the damping improved as did the reliability, but the body roll and initial understeer persisted.
I called 'Coil Springs Limited' in Sheffield who made me some stiffer springs for £50 each with a rate of 215 lbs/inch. With the KYB struts it's much better, especially with 'Polyflex' bushes and a bit more negative camber on the front. On the back I've fitted a 220D anti-roll bar.
Now it starts to feel like a rally car and the next project is a major weight-saving exercise.Of course, the 'Leda' struts are probably the best, but they come out at something like £300 per corner with springs.
Apparently Koni make a 'Sports Strut' insert for the 214 and I'm awaiting more information. It may only be adjustable on 'rebound' which is not much good for a rally car but OK for road or track.
If it's just for the road I have two newly re-built Spax adjustables for the front which i would sell. The are, effectively, new units with special rods.
Email me for more information.
By the way, what do you know about 'chipping' the 214 Si?