Post by unclesilvia on Apr 18, 2013 17:40:53 GMT 1
ANOTHER UPDATE
Ive been doing a little bit more this week.
First i managed to compare the MK2 Polo inserts to the Datsun 280ZX one......
And measured the 280ZX inserts....
So the Polo ones are a fair bit shorter and the body is slightly stepped and the last 1 1/2" doesnt quite fit in the Datsun strut! The only way I can think of making it fit is to slightly grind down that section of the insert down (I think the metal is really thick here and only a minute part needs removing!?).
Ill worry about this later and I really want to try a full size MK2 Golf insert....... Does anyone have any measurements for one of these??
Anyway I got one with prepping the rest of the coilover conversion ready for my mate to weld up for me.
I had some pipe sections cut down to short sections and given to me for free from the scrap bin of a local fabricators ;D. These will become the new lower spring mounts that will be welded on.
I put all the parts together loosely to measure out for the position of welding on the mounts, checking for clearence with the rims and the tyres with the coilovers wound right down......
Coilover and spring mount position before welding, showing clearence with 7.0J Watanabe wheels when wound fully down:
Coilover and spring mount position before welding, showing clearence with 9.0J Enkei wheels + 20mm spacers when wound fully down:
The complete coilover setup......
And I reconfigred the topmount assembly.....
Twin bearing topmount setup using larger 280ZX with smaller 140Y on top......
Much better ;D
Ive also prepped the rear coilovers ready for a little modification Stripped down......
This bush and mounting needs removing....
Choppy Choppy ;D
Removed........
The top will have a threaded bar welded on so it will mount into the Datsuns rear turrets..... hopefully ;D
that looks ok. how does it compare to using a stock 280ZX top mount on there? looks like it may allow you to go a little lower?
This setup sits perfect with the order of the bearings. With the 280SX topmount the large bearing sits up inside the rubber skirt on that one making contact with the blue plastic spring perch difficult. I think it will sit lower like this anyway. This will only be until I get some S13 adjustable topmounts on there anyway so I will prob go even lower then
Oh and I always like my write ups with lots of pics........ I find things easier to follow with pics so i hope others will find this useful too
Post by unclesilvia on Apr 24, 2013 19:44:58 GMT 1
REACHING NEW LOWS UPDATE
This is where it starts to get interesting welding and fitting time
First off I take all the parts to my welder mate to let him work his magic. Cheers Dan
Then we position the lower spring perch in the correct position ready for welding and extra holes were drilled in the sides to allow extra welds for strength.
Getting his weld on.......
First lower perch welded on ;D
Continue with number 2.........
Happy with that
Now to custom make the rear top mounts. First weld on the bolts directly to the top of the shock shaft......
Then slip the top hat over the thread and weld that in position as well for extra strength.
Completed pair...
Now rebuild the front setup........
The fun bit.......... trial fit to car............
Fit fronts.......
A few shots of the rear Monroe shocks and cut down OE springs.........
Stock lower bush mounts...
Looking up showing lower mount and where the shock mounts to the body
Remove all the old suspension............
New (Red) vs old shocks (Blue)
New (Red) vs old shocks (Blue) + Old cut down springs
Trim back the outer section of the inner arch to allow clearence for the spring and shock to mount correctly. This area is not structural and is only thin steel hence cutting with tin snips lol
Trial fitting of the new coilover setup. The cut out section will be tidyied up later.
Lower bush actually fitted in the stock lower mounts
Top mounted... Thread will be cut down later.
Both coilovers fitted.....
So after all that I finally get to see how the car sits on its new suspension, obviously set to its lowest setting
And on full lock at the front.......
I think it sits pretty perfect considering the rear suspension is from an unknown car and is at a fixed non-adjustable height. Could of been made for it lol. I do have to check clearences tho and actually see if the height is realistic to drive with as I think the springs maybe a little soft so may sag even more when loaded up!?!? I can always change to stiffer springs if this is the case.
Now all this is together and works, I can strip it all off again and get the suspension painted up and the arches undersealed after getting a few little bits of MOT welding done.
Next is to get the front brakes working and fitted......... TO BE CONTINUED
I'll have a set of mk2 golf inserts coming this week that i can measure up, im pretty sure they are just 1" longer than the mk1 items. I've still got a pair of mk1 ones so i'll do a comparison.
PS, RE: the inserts not fitting, i found mk1 golf bilstein inserts didn't fit in the set i am making for someone ATM (can't remember what model it is atm), however they fit quite snugly inside the 180b struts and they fit in the s12 ones and wobble about. It should go down the tube until it hits a lip, i just chopped the top section off ready for cutting down, stuck it in the lathe and bored it out a bit deep enough to do the top nut up.
Right mk2 golf inserts arrived, just mocked it up and strut length is 370mm and overall length is 600mm. I'll measure up the closed length next time i go to garage.
Right mk2 golf inserts arrived, just mocked it up and strut length is 370mm and overall length is 600mm. I'll measure up the closed length next time i go to garage.
Oh so only a little shorter than the 280zx inserts then? What model mk2 golf are they from as I've been told that GTI ones are shorter than base model ones for example?! Do they fit nicely in the 280zx struts diameter wise?
;D
