afbrian13 Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 I've been researching all the different methods of modding the Z suspension from the cheapest hack job to full race, full custom setups. I really like the s13 swaps with the custom machined adapter sleeves. But I think there might be a different way. What about cutting the Z strut off, welding on a tab/bracket so you can bolt the s13 strut assembly on as is? At least this would work for the fronts. It just seems like it would be easier to make a lower strut mount to run a bolt through and use the stock lower s13 piece. does this make sense to everybody? The offroad guys weld these up all the time and they hold up fine. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h4nsm0l3m4n Posted December 24, 2011 Share Posted December 24, 2011 (edited) I do not want to seem too critical and deter you from finding your own solution, but I wonder what problem you are trying to solve. Having installed the s13 coilovers on my Z using the adapter sleeves I can honestly say, its not going to get much easier. This is what attracted me to this option in the first place. For the adapter sleeves, you simply chop off most of the strut housing, slip on the sleeve, and weld. There really isnt much more to it. Unless I am missing something, you will still need to modify the strut housing, either by cutting and welding, or drilling holes into it, to attach your new bracket. Youll of course have to design and fab up your own bracket which would accurately position the coilover assembly in a optimal orientation (this may or may not be a challenge in itself). Compared to the adapter sleeve youre not really saving any work for yourself. Edited December 24, 2011 by h4nsm0l3m4n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afbrian13 Posted December 24, 2011 Author Share Posted December 24, 2011 Maybe I'm just not aritculating my idea the right way. Basically you would be able to take an off the shelf assembly and bolt it in. The mods to the z suspension wouldn't really be more than the work with the tubes. I like how the adapter sleeves work out, but I was under the impression they were being made on an order by order basis and were not the easiest thing to fabricate. I saw sombody was selling adapters for the rear to use the s13 bottom mount, but not sure who it was. I'll look, and try to make up something to explain better what I mean about the front mounts. Thanks for the input. I'm just brainstorming ideas over here. Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arck001 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Ive installed my coilovers a bit differently then most. Im using Apexi Mazda Miata coilovers with the original s30 top hats. I was having a hard time trying to find steel adapter sleeves with the right thread pitch as the Apexi coilover body, so I just used the aluminum sleeves the coilovers came with. Basically, cut off bottom portion of the aluminum sleeve so its just a tube. Then cut the strut housing down so the coilover sleeve can fit over. Then drill two holes through the sleeve and strut housing. Then use locking bolts and nuts to bring everything together. So far in two years I haven't had any problems. But nevertheless my futures plans are to find or machine some adapter sleeves and just weld it on just as h4nsm0l3m4n suggests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComicArtist Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 ^ I know a guy who did that with Integra coils. Couldn't weld them, since they had aluminum lower perches. I wasn't too crazy about the way it looked, but he used Grade 8 bolts and nuts, so I guess it worked for him. More pics of your car please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Bolting the strut tube like the above pic is a really bad idea. The issue is NOT the strength of the bolts, the issue is the uneven distribution of forces across an aluminum tube and the concentration of stress at the bolt holes. The tube will fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Strut tubes are subject to significant bending forces which is why they are made from heavy steel in the first place. As John indicated, the pictured design is simply not strong enough. It will flex and eventually fail. The OP's idea of welding brackets onto a cut down S30 strut would work, plenty of good custom struts are made similarly. The brackets will obviously have to be aligned correctly, they could be made to provide some camber adjustment as well. Once done any S13 coilover will bolt straight up. The idea is good, it all depends on the execution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenState Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Um, I'm going to agree with what the others said about that being a really bad idea. Neither of those pieces were ever designed to have holes drilled in them. I'd hate be in the car when it fails. If you're set on running those coilovers, look into getting a set of sleeves like the ones by McKinney Motorsports made for your car. You'd weld them to your castings and be all set. Mack has been great to deal with, possibly he could machine one of his sleeve sets to your thread pitch. I'd suggest going that route. Interesting idea from the first post, I love to see a mock up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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