27 replies to this topic

[Heath]

I don't think I've ever seen coil-overs mounted anywhere near the standard spring seats. I haven't done it but normally it's on a tubbed car and they mount them way inboard on fabricated bracketry that doesn't use any standard Torana sheetmetal.

[355LX]

2wild4u has mounted his in the original spring seats from memory.....

Just to clarify....in the same location, obviously he has had to make modifications to make it work.

[ls2lxhatch]

Pictures from this thread.

 

 

 

2wild4u

 

 

 

From this thread, tyre clearance could be an issue with this setup.

 

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 19 August 2013 - 11:33 PM.

[Heath]

So what are people doing in the spring hat to mount the top of the coilover there?

[BENN0]

Im in the process of mounting my coilovers through the upper spring housing. Making up a little cradle to strengthen up the upper mount. Lower mount on the diff is using brackets from Mcdonal Bros. QA1 coilovers being used. 

 

255/40/17 being used (no flares) . Inner lip needed to be cut back and rejoined to the chassis rail. Spring housing is the closest point to the tyre. Little massaging required there to open it up a bit. Almost done. Will post pics when finished. 

[ls2lxhatch]

So what are people doing in the spring hat to mount the top of the coilover there?

 

It is discussed in this thread.

 

Basically the bump stop is cut out of the spring tower so you have a flat area to bolt in a mount for the shock.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 21 August 2013 - 09:32 PM.

[dattoman]

Is there any actual drivability advantage (for street use) to this or are people doing it just to relocate springs/shocks for bigger rubber and wank value ?

[ls2lxhatch]

I think for a street only car the coil overs will probably not handle as well as the standard setup as the shock is moved further away from the wheels. Reduced ground clearance (shock hangers on the diff) and reduced suspension travel can also be an issue with most of the coil over setups I have looked at.

 

The main benefit of coil overs on a street car is that they will give you more room for tyres and brakes and of course height adjustment. Although under the NCOP the tyre width is limited to around 260 which will fit with the shock in the stock position anyhow.

 

I put coil overs on the front of my hatch for height adjustment but decided to leave the rears alone as it is relatively easy to change rear springs or fit spacers to tweak the rear suspension height.

 

It would be a different story for a street/strip car with the emphasis on strip.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 22 August 2013 - 01:14 AM.

[BENN0]

Ground clearance shouldnt be an issue (it's up to you where you mount the coilover) and moving the shock inboard wont hurt handling on a Torana.

 

Shortened diff (for a little bit of dish) + decent rubber means the lower shock mounting  position needs to move anyway.

In my situation, I was converting a 9", needed to buy new shocks and springs anyway, so the only extra bit of effort required was a little bit of measuring and making up a cradle for the upper mount. 

[ls2lxhatch]

The further inboard the shock is mounted the harder it is for the shock to control body roll.

 

Fitting wider tyres by reducing the track does not help handling either.

 

The height of a coil over with a reasonable amount of travel typically requires the shock to be mounted well below the axle tube thus the reduced ground clearance. The shock will not be the lowest point in the car however it is a little more exposed to damage. There are plenty on factory vans with the shocks mounted in a similar manner so it is not a big issue. 

 

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 22 August 2013 - 01:42 PM.

[WA1TNC]

BENNO, any chance of a few pics if you've got them, especially the cradle for the top please. Trying to get ideas on how to mount it. I have a cross bar welded in the boot but i wouldn't mind having a look.

Cheers, Nig.

[WA1TNC]

Yeah I haven't been on here in a long time either but some way or another you always seem to come back 😄

[ozyozyozy]

Only reason to mount a coil over inboard is for tubs and wheel clearance.
if you want it to handle better they need to be moved as far out as possible, right next to the wheel.
Think for a streeter the cost and time involvled is not worth the hassle, just fit some bilstein and springs, done.

Just coz its a coilover, it doesnt mean that its good, too many people are caught up with that thinking.

[WA1TNC]

This is my boot now so that's why I ask...

[WA1TNC]

As iv got all this going in next as soon as I figured out how I'm going to do the shocks & springs.



I still have the top of the spring tower but it's been flattened where the tub goes past.

[WA1TNC]

Holden 6? Don't think a Holden six would have enough mambo to even spin the diff with the car on jack stands 😉

[ozyozyozy]

Prob should have thought of the shock setup when tubs were going in.
Either way its going to require more cutting and welding.

[WA1TNC]

Yeah as I said I got them to throw a cross bar in over the top of the diff to mount the coil overs to but was after a few different options to see which way would suit me best.

Cheers, Nig

[gtrboyy]

Get coilovers as wide apart as you can or stock position if possible...truetrac make tubbed cars nicer to drive.

 

Downside is usually exhaust goes under diff which can be a pain with jackstands always under diff otherwise tear exhaust hangers.

 

My sle & lc kept the factory tanks so clearance is damn tight...can see why many go with fuel cell & pipes out back.

Edited by gtrboyy, 17 July 2017 - 11:07 PM.