Rear coilover replacing spring/shock setup

[stolic]

anyone used anything like this



that's a custom item from T3 for an AE86. Just wondering how the shock tower would handle the combined force of shock AND spring, when compared to the factory setup that has the spring load on the spring perch and bump-stop area....

would it pose a cert issue or am I just splitting hairs? Using something like this for my IRS conversion would certainly make life easier (maybe)

thanks in advance

[Bazda]

You would def need to reinforce the towers on the car.

Failing that I have adjustable spring/perch setup which fits into the OEM locations.

[stolic]

You would def need to reinforce the towers on the car.

Failing that I have adjustable spring/perch setup which fits into the OEM locations.

Thanks baz, but I'm putting a narrowed silvia IRS subframe into my TA22 so the OEM spring location won't work ('86 springs are too big for the celicas also ) . I'll see what can be done about reinforcement, or just weld in the towers from a sil as I'll be using part of the floor for the subframe mounts anyway.

Cheers

[fangsport]

have a look at turreted Escorts, and the way the rear shock tower is built

[soopachargen]

Jump on oldschool and have a talk to sheepers, he's done the same with an RA28

http://www.oldschool.co.nz/phpbb/viewto ... epers+ra28

[wde_bdy]

Yeah Sheepers will be the man to talk to, from memory he just built the towers to suit the Skyline rear coilovers? Used a R32 GTR rear in the RA28, narrowed far enough to get 0 offset 17x10s under the back. He might still have the jig he used to narrow the subframe, axles were cut and shut I think then heat treated.

Callum

[stolic]

Ah yes Mr Sheepers. I've followed his build threads across a few different forums. Infact I blame him for giving me the retarded notion to even attempt this in the first place

Many in the celica world have quizzed him on his setup and IIRC he said it was a bastard of a thing to do, and if he was doing it over he'd just weld in the floor of a silvia and be done with it. Is it worth while? well have a look at the performance car mag article from a few months back where he compares the handeling of his two (bastard ) celicas. I'd say yes.

I guess what I'm looking at, is trying to find an easy, yet safe solution to making a coilover setup work. So I'm exploring 3 different avenues.
1.) Use the above shock setup (OP) for the AE86, and reinforce the existing shock mount. (AE shocks fit

2.) As I intend to get a silvia rear cut to pinch the subframe mounting points, take the towers as well and stitch them in and then use s14 coilovers all round (changing front to s14 hubs as well)

3.) go full custom ah-la Sheepers.

I'm leaning towards option #1 at the moment, based on assumed cost and percieved difficulty. Natually I will be engaging the services of a cert engineer before cutting steel, just want to be armed with as much info/ideas as possible so as not to waste their time.

I did a bit of lunchtime googlage and came up with some interesting solutions to similar conversions ( thanks for the escort lead Fangsport )
found this interesting use of 5in exhaust pipe and 3mm plate





in a VL commie I believe.. seems a bit sketchy


Thanks for your ideas and thoughts guys... keep 'em coming

[wde_bdy]

I used the whole floor of a Carina in my Starlet, didn't care about track width/wheelbase changes/completely cutting out guards. Not really suitable if you want to keep stock body lines. Personally I would go with option 2 and replicate the factory geometry from the Silvia to give you a known starting point.
Get hold of Sheepers, go have a chat and crawl all over the 28. Bring a towel for the drool though.

Callum

[evil_si]

I did a similar thing in a starlet but used 3mm wall tube and 5mm tops,

[Adoom]

anyone used anything like this



that's a custom item from T3 for an AE86. Just wondering how the shock tower would handle the combined force of shock AND spring, when compared to the factory setup that has the spring load on the spring perch and bump-stop area....

would it pose a cert issue or am I just splitting hairs? Using something like this for my IRS conversion would certainly make life easier (maybe)

thanks in advance

I am planning on making something similar to fit my starlet without modifying the top shock mounts.

You would def need to reinforce the towers on the car.

Failing that I have adjustable spring/perch setup which fits into the OEM locations.

I am expecting to need to do some reinforcing.
I have made adjustable spring perches, but I am not happy with it and want to change it to a coilover arrangement.

[stolic]

Google "rear strut tower reinforcement" and laugh at all the BMWs

good source of ideas tho.


the floor mounts actually tie into the subframe mounting points, which are prone to ripping out apparently

and something from a dirty old 911

[Bazda]

Id def do something like S14 parts all round.

Easy to get bits for! if you ever had an off and damaged the suspension.

[rx7guy]

I had my ae85 towers reinforced to suit that style coilover. It was just a few hundred bucks to get plate welded over top of the existing shock top.