Hi

I'm just about to set up my axle to weld up the mounting brackets for the shockers and trailing arms.

I don't have the coilovers yet but i've calculated the length that they need to be (between centres) for a ride height of 4ins. I get a figure of 231mm (about 9ins). This seems a tad small - I'm using 16in wheels (about 570 mm with tyres (22.5 ins).

Can I get coilovers this short? What have people used?

All help appreciated as always.

Cheers

Matt

Yes you can get short shocks but the down side is they will have less travel.

My rear shocks are shorter than the fronts and I have this problem ,also because they are vertical you only get the shocks designed travel ,where as on the front where they are inclined you gain more travel.

So try to get as much shock length as you can , you can mount the shock directly on a long bolt going through the trailing arm brackets if they are in the correct place.

My shock u bracket was fitted on top of this bracket which took away some length.

I think when I saw the Isonblade it had the u brackets mounted inboard slightly on the axle tube , this gave a more length and more travekl because the shocks where working at a slight angle.

Cheers Dave,

What's the ride height of your car from the bottom of the chassis rails?

Matt

It's probably sagged to about 4.5" but I set it originally at 6" , if you look at a standard Caterham they are quite high......................

If the shocks are mounted inboard the roll stiffness will be reduced --- sharing a long bolt with the radius arm mounting is a better option --- with an extra support bracket on the inboard side of the shocker. Also it might be an idea to run a slightly higher ride height at the rear than at the front -- not sure about the seven shape on most cars this has aerodynamic advantages.

If starting again I think I would make the the whole chassis 1" or even 1.5" deeper.

[Edited on 27/2/05 by britishtrident]

Yes you're right about the roll stiffness ,but I believe the Isonblade had the tops of the dampers mounted further inboard (somewhere on the tube at the seat backs)so that he dampers angled outwards

only pic i can find, not too clear i'm afraid.
Rescued attachment isonblade0005.jpg

cheers

Got it all jigged up - just need to weld it first thing tomorrow

Matt