SHO-Z Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 I went in an around about way coming up with this project. I really could not afford the cost of the coilovers that were made for the Z. I heard that the BMW 325 had larger struts housing. After finding some on E-Bay and getting the dimensions they sounded like they would work. I bought them for around $50 including shipping. To my dismay the adjusters were too small and only the front were struts. After a year of sitting on the garage shelf I started looking at different ways to make these work. The prior owner on my z had cut the springs to lower the car and it was really to low. Well being an ex-pipefitter I started looking at ways to build my own adjusters. Here is how I built mine. Bought two 2†electrical conduit threaded coupling and two 10†long 2†pipe nipples. I had both end of the treaded all of the way down leaving about 2†between the threads. I then cut them half and split them longitudinally. I did the same with the couplings. I tack welded a ½†nut on one side of the coupling and a 3/8†on the other for a pinch bolt. I then threaded the coupling on the nipple. To get the nipple over the strut housing I had to spread the nipple with a ½†chisel to started, Then tapped it on with a brass hammer. The inside diameter of the springs is 2.6†so it just clears the nipple threads. Adjustments is done with a large channel locks or a real strap wrench. I know that I added to the un-sprung weigh but for under $100 total cost I really do not care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8dats Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kc6wfs Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Cool U in Buckeye....?? I live in Tolleson.. Could I check it out? I'll drive me Z... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 Pics are definately called for on this one. Not that I want to do this but it is an excellent did it myself bit!!! KUDOS if it holds up over time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phyte Posted January 24, 2004 Share Posted January 24, 2004 If you need a place to host the pics, your more then welcome to sign up with my company http://www.resizeme.com for free and host all the pics there! Phyte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO-Z Posted January 25, 2004 Author Share Posted January 25, 2004 I am going to be in Alaska for couple of weeks. I will get the pictures when I get back to AZ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 OMG!!!! I have to wait for pics!!! hehehe. No problem thanks for the updates... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 I`ve been trying to find a cheaper alternative as well. I`m not trying to say that RossC`s are a bad deal, only that I am a cheap bastard. Since I will not be racing in a forum where these things are inspected and have to meet certain specs, it really doesn`t make sense for me to dump a pile of cash when I`m sure I could find another option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denny411 Posted January 25, 2004 Share Posted January 25, 2004 Since most of us that plan to run coil overs also plan to section the struts. Why not put the top(smaller diameter) strut section from the mister two onto the larger diameter bottom section? Apparently the inside diameter is close since we can use the Mr2 strut cartriges. HHrrrrmmm...I wonder why I never thought of that before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO-Z Posted February 28, 2004 Author Share Posted February 28, 2004 I have the pictures of the coilovers but have no way to get them posted. I will send them to anyone who wants them. Sorry about the wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pathogen Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Email me the pics and I will post them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Would like to see them too.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spork Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 I'd sure like to these pictures also! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Here are SHO-Z's pics: Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Your Car is Slow Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Curious what the top looks like too...just stock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO-Z Posted March 1, 2004 Author Share Posted March 1, 2004 The tops are stock. the spring sits on the lip on the centering ring. The way that this is constructed I had no worry about failure at on the upper end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Drewz Posted March 2, 2004 Share Posted March 2, 2004 Have you driven it yet much?? Just wondering if the spring makes alot of noise with that lower mount being so thin?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO-Z Posted March 4, 2004 Author Share Posted March 4, 2004 From what I have driven around there is not noise at all. I went over some large dips and bumps and nothing. I did not drive on any wash board type of roads. The spring just clear the nipple threads and really have no where to move to cause any noise. Everyting is in compression. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spork Posted July 21, 2004 Share Posted July 21, 2004 how are the custom coil-overs holding up? any problems with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHO-Z Posted July 21, 2004 Author Share Posted July 21, 2004 I really have not driven it that much since I installed them. I am in the process of getting it ready to paint. But from all indications they are working out well. One modification I am planning on is building an lower perch for the spring to rest on. I do not think that I will have any problem as installed, but any mod can always be improved. And I want to remove the lower stock perch at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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