coilover alternative

[yellowspyder]

Hello....I need to raise my car about 3/8 of an inch...to clear my tires..I have coil over like the bilstein....I will like to install air shocks to adjust the elevation.

The coilovers have treads for adjustments, but the springs are compresed to the point that they are limiting the travel and it is harsh drive due to the limited rebound.... I am aware that I may need longer travel type....but at the tune of 600 dollars...I need a more cost efective alternative. Anyone of you have done the use of air absorbers instead of coilovers on a mid engine setup?

[HamburgerBrad]

i dont know what kind of suspension setup you're running, but if you have the skills and equipment necessary, i would suggest relocating the upper shock mount. it doesn't get much cheaper than that if you can do it yourself
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[yellowspyder]

I have a replica of the 550 spyder from the Vintage Co. it has a ladder type with a mid engine...I think you are right!...I wanted the air shock as a cheap alternative... with great caution because the coil overs set up is designed to work with the workloads of the spyder and are much Better design.

I am not sure of the brand...but look as the bilstein type. the springs have a purpose that the air shock may not.

I am playing with the idea! I got a new air shocks from warner...I think. one was bad out of the box...and it was made in the USA. .. I can not imagine that soon most of the manufacturing will be done in china...for a dollar a day!
Just as mexico and brazil were getting it together- skill wise and QC on the parts, here is the big shift to china due to 1 dollar a day for semiskilled labor. I hope I am not label comunist for being against a comunist regime that is not democratic.

Do not take me wrong...I love chinese food...but they are good in ceramics, bycicles and martial arts...but I see the stores full of low cheap quality stuff....car replacemengt parts will follow soon!

anyway...I will get another set of air shoks from the store tomorrow...but I like your idea of relocating the shock support! and keep the coilovers.

[Perry]

I'm not sure I understand your problem well, but i'll give a shot at helping.
if your springs are almost fully compressed then maybe upping the spring rate would help? These things come in a couple standard sizes and are available through circle track supply places for cheap. you will need to ID your current spring rate and up it a bit. usually springs on things like coilovers were bought from racing suppliers which means they will have the rate etched into the ground end of the spring. you may have to remove one to find out. if it's not marked you may be able to get a recommendation from carrerra tech support.
try www.stockcarproducts.com for springs.
Perry

[yellowspyder]

I just installed the air shocks! and it will be tested today to verify behavior.

The coil-overs removed are from Aldan American with 11, 7/16 coils- I do not know how to gauge the weight-.

I had to order two sets of the air shocks due to inconsistent manufacturing practices of the Warner Co. The bladders in the air shocks were not set equally and after setting the pressure, with the equalization tubing installed, the shocks were uneven.

I made a pair out of the 4 and the car is now level.
This is a temporary fix. I could move the top mount to a lower placement and re-install the coil overs. Nevertheless it was an interesting process.

I accomplish my objective in increasing the height of the car by 1/2 of an inch.
Does anyone know who may rebuild the gas Aldan coilovers?

I will take them apart to see the rating id.

Thanks for the comments! I will post any additional findings.

[Perry]

if you end up guessing at a coilover spring use about a 200 lb per inch rate at the wheel for street use. go up to 250 or so if you autox. don't forget to account for the leverage if your spring stroke is shorter than your wheel travel, those rates are at the wheel.
Then of course you have to experiment from there to get it right.
keep in mind I have not seen your car, just going by what works on lightweight cars I have built that are well balanced front to rear.
Perry

[yellowspyder]

I want to see the numbers on the springs... to see the load rating...they must be on the flat face of the spring.

Now, I got to the last tread on the nut prior the end...and the spring still tight...any recommendations on tools to compress the aspring? to reinstall could be a problem if it is done by hand! The air shocks are working fine! and I am able to reach a higher ground crearnce, one inch more than I need.....I know that the geometry of the tire wil change.....if I set the shocks with more air.

Anyway any info on the tools for the spring?

[Perry]

there is a spring compressor tool. if you have the coilover off and don't have a buddy with the tool you could take it to just about any auto repair place for removal. It's a few minute job, probably a 5 or 10 dollar deal for most little shops 'cause they would do it right there while you wait if not too busy. you can buy the tool too, harbor freight probably has a cheapie one for $30 or so. the cheap ones are ok for occasional use just make sure you use the safety hooks and be really careful with compressed springs. they store a surprising amount of energy.
Hopefully they have the rates on the ends, if it is a quality piece it should, but sometimes the cheap setups don't have it.
Perry

[yellowspyder]

Hi...I got the info on the coilovers from the Aldan web page...It provides the load info and the color codes...and adjustments for the rebound...

So far, I had the air shocks in place and playing with the diferent elevations for the car. I will follow up with the Aldan Co to see if I can get bearings instead of bushings - the top bolt alignment will improve. I may install apacers or get a higher rating springs.