coil over shock problems
coil over shock problems
Author
Discussion

mrcrappy

Original Poster:

166 posts

313 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Hi every one,
Has anyone had problems with the coil over shock conversion, I was thinking of getting some for the front but have noticed steve heath doesnt stock them any more, I did wonder if they would be putting too much strain on the top mounting, this is only really designed to mount the shock and not the full weight of the car. What mods can be done to the chassis to rectify this? Im going to remove the body so may as well sort the mounts at the same time.
All the best guys
Jon

rev-erend

21,623 posts

314 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Guess we will have to wait for Steve ...

Number 7

4,113 posts

292 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
It is my understanding, having spoken to another TVR specialist, that a coil-over conversion would require significant strengthening of the turrets and lower wishbone,so it's not a bolt on modification. When I was in touch with SH a few months back, he did not have any kits, and was considering whether he wanted to continue with them. I understand that there were concerns about units not being fitted correctly.

You might want to get Richard Thorpe's opinion on the work required to the chassis.

7.

pwd95

8,459 posts

268 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
RT Racing have done this modification I'm sure. Alteration of the strut holder top & bottom.
Aye there you go, beat me to it. biggrin

Edited by pwd95 on Wednesday 24th March 15:49

combine

3,114 posts

259 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Number 7 said:
It is my understanding, having spoken to another TVR specialist, that a coil-over conversion would require significant strengthening of the turrets and lower wishbone,so it's not a bolt on modification. When I was in touch with SH a few months back, he did not have any kits, and was considering whether he wanted to continue with them. I understand that there were concerns about units not being fitted correctly.

You might want to get Richard Thorpe's opinion on the work required to the chassis.

7.
Yes , had the same conversation with Steve a few months back , so I've not changed my standard new springs and shocks . The alternative is to have specially strengthened wishbones made at around £1k .

mrcrappy

Original Poster:

166 posts

313 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks guys, been a great help, I'll contact Steve and Richard see how much it will cost, when I take the body off I think I should be able to strengthen the chassis etc without too much trouble, think I will just need the shock end dimensions etc.
All the best
Jon

grahamw48

9,944 posts

268 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Has anyone thought of 'cutting and shutting' some larger, but very similar Granada MK2 wishbones ?

From what I recall they're very similar in design, just physically bigger, and heavier looking. scratchchin

Also, some pretty heavy engines were fitted to the old MK3 Cortina in other countries, such as a straight 6 in Australia, the Essex 3 litre in S.Africa.
Did they have modified wishbones to cope...still available ?

A lot of drag racers used big engines in them too, and modified suspension.
Another possible area of research ?
Maybe some nice fabricated wishbones going spare, and with possibly better spring angle ? smile

Can anything be borrowed from the original Corty subframe ?



...or maybe I'm talking ste. hehe


Edited by grahamw48 on Wednesday 24th March 23:12

GV

2,366 posts

254 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
I have completed the conversion. To do so I removed the upper turret completely, designed and had brackets fabricated and welded in. The lower wishbone had to be modified. I would not recomend attaching the lower part of the shock using the old mounts as there is too much force being applied on to 2 13mm nuts. What I did was to fabircate 2 lower mount brackets welded onto a 20mm rounded bar which was then welded onto the lower wishbone making the whole assembly much stronger. I'll put up some pics when I get the chance.

GV

2,366 posts

254 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
combine said:
Number 7 said:
It is my understanding, having spoken to another TVR specialist, that a coil-over conversion would require significant strengthening of the turrets and lower wishbone,so it's not a bolt on modification. When I was in touch with SH a few months back, he did not have any kits, and was considering whether he wanted to continue with them. I understand that there were concerns about units not being fitted correctly.

You might want to get Richard Thorpe's opinion on the work required to the chassis.

7.
Yes , had the same conversation with Steve a few months back , so I've not changed my standard new springs and shocks . The alternative is to have specially strengthened wishbones made at around £1k

For 1k...??

SEvans

1,191 posts

297 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
I've been looking at this upgrade myself. I too postponed the decision as there seemed to be some differences of opinion with regards to strengthening.
I am not keen on modifying the chassis and wondered if it would be possible to produce some sort of strengthening bracket that bolts into the top turrets?? I'm not too concerned about modifying the wishbones as these can be easily exchanged.

It seems to me that bolting in the coilover under the wishbone means that all the forces are in effect trying to push the nut off the end of the thread. Surely it would be much better if the forces were acting on top of the wishbones, as the original spring does. Not sure if this is even possible, I'll have to give it some more thought.

I'd really like to fit a setup at the front that provides adjustable ride height, adjustable camber and is easier to work on. Getting new springs on the front is not my favourite job even with a spring compressor and 2 trolly jacks.

Cheers Steve

simonwedge

763 posts

210 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
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I have a spare set of upper and lower wishbones that I'll sell if anyone wants. It might mean less time off the road?

combine

3,114 posts

259 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
GV said:
combine said:
Number 7 said:
It is my understanding, having spoken to another TVR specialist, that a coil-over conversion would require significant strengthening of the turrets and lower wishbone,so it's not a bolt on modification. When I was in touch with SH a few months back, he did not have any kits, and was considering whether he wanted to continue with them. I understand that there were concerns about units not being fitted correctly.

You might want to get Richard Thorpe's opinion on the work required to the chassis.

7.
Yes , had the same conversation with Steve a few months back , so I've not changed my standard new springs and shocks . The alternative is to have specially strengthened wishbones made at around £1k

For 1k...??
My thoughts exactly !

grahamw48

9,944 posts

268 months

Thursday 25th March 2010
quotequote all
Get some made ! ebay em at a mere £750 .....£££££££s lick

GV

2,366 posts

254 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
Here are some pics snapped using my phone - at least you will get an idea of what I have done. I now have peace of mind all for under £150. Needless to say, the front feels very solid and steers wonderfully. Just got to sort the rears next....£1k..!!!









Edited by GV on Friday 26th March 15:02

combine

3,114 posts

259 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
GV said:
Here are some pics snapped using my phone - at least you will get an idea of what I have done. I now have peace of mind all for under £150. Needless to say, the front feels very solid and steers wonderfully. Just got to sort the rears next....£1k..!!!









Edited by GV on Friday 26th March 15:02
Andrew , whats the handling like with the coilovers on front compared to original springs ?

GV

2,366 posts

254 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
I previously had Konis with original springs which made the front seem vague if that makes sense. Everything now feels more planted and together as if the whole car moves round corners since the conversion. I've also got SH droplinks plus the bulkhead bearing's been modded too which explains why it all feels together. I won't really get the bigger picture until I've done the rears. I've got a set of Armstrongs on which are quite firm and don't do much in the comfort dept. However, where the front deals with everything nicely the rears don't so the next upgrade should be worth the investment.

I took the route on the front because I didn't have peace of mind after my turrets got severley distorted and one of the brackets popped off its lower mounting...!!


combine

3,114 posts

259 months

Friday 26th March 2010
quotequote all
I've got coilovers on the back but not front , suspension is set fairly hard but its pretty good at handling except for potholed roads , have had a rose jointed stabaliser bar rhs back suffering in one hole recently , all fixed now .