how to make coilovers

[Guest 2adz]

Can anyone give me details on how they constructed their coilovers using stock Z strut tubes?

[Guest scca]

you dont make them so to speak but slide alum sleeves OVER the existing tube.

 

i have pics online.

as well as a few others here do too

[Guest 2adz]

What do I have to gain by using coil overs? I don't want a drastic drop just something better than stock.

[Guest scca]

if you just want a bit stiffer than stock go for new stock replacement type springs.

you can probably find someone here who bought susp techniques or similar and then changed to coilovers.

 

but if you want much stiffer then go coilover.

 

when you compare the eibach progressives at $280 or so new and coilovers at $400 to me seems like a no brainer. the extra $120 is well worth the adjustability.

 

i've taken my car on a few trips - like from here to NOrCal/ SanFran. and it was nice to be able to raise the rear ride height to compensate for the 300lbs or so of crap we put in the trunk to take with us.. (and yes my Z has a trunk )

[pparaska]

Mike, besides the height adjustablility which is very nice, another great advantage is that the springs are available in many lengths and MANY different rates. Some places will let you try a spring for a month and if you feel the rate is not right for your app, they'll take them back in trade for another rate. Even so, the springs are like $60 each, not expensive at all.

[Guest Anonymous]

Don't know if you got what you where looking for as far as what mods are required for the strut tube,but here's how i did mine.Remove the strut and strip it down bare ie remove the brakes,hub/rotor,cartride or oil internals.Using a sharp hack saw cut the spring perch around the strut circumference just above the weld joint(cleaning them first makes this easier)now using a hammer gently rap on the perch as you are doing this so you can seperate the last bit of metal instead of cutting all the way through,any rust in your cut means you have gone through so stop cutting and start tapping.Once you have the spring perch off grind the weld area down smooth with the housing.Now depending on what brand coilovers you use(long or short threaded tube)you will have to weld a lower tube indexing section to the strut,the long style units index on the base of the strut tube.Reassemle the stut using the new upper perch.The threaded lower section will now allow you to set your ride height or corner weight your car.One other plus for coilovers is the increased tire room.

[Guest 2adz]

2 questions: Has anyone used stock springs in a coilover design and if I shorten the strut tube what strut catridges does one use? the strut tube would now be too short for factory length struts, right?

[Guest Anonymous]

You could in theory construct you own threaded section then thread pipe on the inside to weld to the stock perch.Plumbing supply stores would be able to thread this for you when you buy it.Something like 2inch I/D for the strut section then a collar nut for the spring perch?The only problem is you won't have the adjutability of a true coilover since the stock springs have a tail that indexs in the spring perches making adjustment imposible unless you turn the whole thing as a unit(ie sring,upper perch,and lower perch)and since the upper perch seats in the isolator this may be imposible because of friction.A cheap and easy mod if you are just looking for more control over your final ride height is detailed on this web page http://home.att.net/~jason510/ this is a fairly simple mod for struts and is detailed in the 280zx ride height section.An alternitive that I used on my 510 is the muffler clamp unit at the bottom of this page.Any way you will lose the quick adjustability,tire clearence,and spring selection you gain by using true coilovers.I had heard that the porchse 944 cart where about 1 inch shorter than the factory ones but check out the application guide for your brand before you order since they can supply dimensions for there struts.