i'm going to make my own coilovers

TeflonTom · 10-06-2008, 16:55

edit: final finished coilover unit

right, i've decided to have a go at making my own coilovers...

where can i buy those threaded spring seat/conversion kits from???

pinkskud · 10-06-2008, 18:46

rally design, i think

TeflonTom · 10-06-2008, 18:50

off hand, do you know what the springs rates are on the hp units??

philje123 · 10-06-2008, 19:22

Right... im officially feeling stupid and confused!

What exactly are the coilovers? Are they the top bits of the suspension?

Phil

redbaron · 10-06-2008, 19:55

Shock Value

philje123 · 10-06-2008, 20:02

Yay... I get it now!

Are there any other systems available for the Felicia?

My struts a re getting pretty rusty and starting to knock... needs replacing soon so might as well do it in style!

Phil

KenONeill · 11-06-2008, 13:19

Can you keep us posted Tom? It sounds like an interesting project.

pinkskud · 11-06-2008, 17:54

off hand i dont know the spring values.

but iirc the hp's are 75% stiffer than the standards.

philje123 · 11-06-2008, 19:40

How do you even go about making your own?

A mish mash of differnt parts put together and fettled or parts made custom from scratch?

Phil

TeflonTom · 11-06-2008, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by philje123

How do you even go about making your own?

A mish mash of differnt parts put together and fettled or parts made custom from scratch?

Phil

you can buy a 'kit' like this rally design for converting standard struts to height adjustable

philje123 · 11-06-2008, 19:48

Ah right... so you would use your original and standard suspension setup but make it so that you can adjust the height?

TeflonTom · 11-06-2008, 19:55

not quite no....

i've ordered a pair of these inserts from jkm koni inserts, i'm going to collect them tomorrow, with these you basically remove all of the innards of the original strut and put this in instead

philje123 · 11-06-2008, 19:58

Ah right... so your just basically left with the original springs and new shocks.

What about the cups that are prone to rust? Will they be replaced?

Its all very complicated this... thats why i'm liking the idea of the HP set... so so damn expensive! lol

TeflonTom · 11-06-2008, 20:03

the height adjustable kit replaces the original spring perch with one that can be moved by rotating it around the body of the strut, this also disposes of the original spring too and uses a 2.25" spring, these springs are available in many different lengths and rates

philje123 · 11-06-2008, 20:05

I see... So it does end up being a total replacement of all the components!

Is it diy'able or would i need to be able to compress the springs etc?

Maybe you wouldn't mind sharing the prices of the components and giving a total price of the build?

Phil

TeflonTom · 11-06-2008, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by philje123

Is it diy'able or would i need to be able to compress the springs etc?

yes it is diy'able but it is quite a difficult and involved task, the threaded part of the height adjuster needs to be welded to the original strut body. also you need to do some pretty hefty surgery on the struts to fit the inserts...

i will make one set as a protoype, and if they are any good i will think about making some more... i will take some photos of the different stages as i do it

philje123 · 11-06-2008, 20:14

That would be bloody marvelous of you... could make some money out of this if it works... im sure there's plenty of folks after a decent suspension upgrade without trying to source the HP set!

Phil

TeflonTom · 11-06-2008, 20:15

to be honest i've looked at the hp set and they dont look all that good, they seem a bit flimsy to me

KenONeill · 12-06-2008, 09:07

You'd need spring compressors yes, but you can buy or hire a set of them. As Tom says, the big issues are with components that need machining or welding.

philje123 · 12-06-2008, 09:17

Don't think i would be able to do it myself... never welded anything in my life and don't have access to such equipment any way.

So my options are to do something like this but have a garage do it for me... or buy a complete set.

Phil

10-06-2008, 16:55	#1
TeflonTom Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,372 Thanks: 26 Thanked 161 Times in 137 Posts	i'm going to make my own coilovers edit: final finished coilover unit right, i've decided to have a go at making my own coilovers... where can i buy those threaded spring seat/conversion kits from??? __________________ Last edited by TeflonTom; 18-08-2008 at 20:36.

10-06-2008, 18:46	#2
pinkskud not a bird!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: pixi said not to fill my box Posts: 2,086 Thanks: 1 Thanked 70 Times in 67 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers rally design, i think __________________ also found on http://skodafelicia.freeforums.org/index.php

10-06-2008, 18:50	#3
TeflonTom Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,372 Thanks: 26 Thanked 161 Times in 137 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers off hand, do you know what the springs rates are on the hp units?? __________________

10-06-2008, 19:22	#4
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers Right... im officially feeling stupid and confused! What exactly are the coilovers? Are they the top bits of the suspension? Phil __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

10-06-2008, 19:55	#5
redbaron Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 9,208 Thanks: 9 Thanked 47 Times in 42 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers Shock Value __________________ ________________________________________ Some times I just feel like smiling.

10-06-2008, 20:02	#6
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers Yay... I get it now! Are there any other systems available for the Felicia? My struts a re getting pretty rusty and starting to knock... needs replacing soon so might as well do it in style! Phil __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

11-06-2008, 13:19	#7
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally somewhere in Scotland! Posts: 9,326 Thanks: 43 Thanked 434 Times in 427 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers Can you keep us posted Tom? It sounds like an interesting project.

11-06-2008, 17:54	#8
pinkskud not a bird!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: pixi said not to fill my box Posts: 2,086 Thanks: 1 Thanked 70 Times in 67 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers off hand i dont know the spring values. but iirc the hp's are 75% stiffer than the standards. __________________ also found on http://skodafelicia.freeforums.org/index.php

11-06-2008, 19:40	#9
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers How do you even go about making your own? A mish mash of differnt parts put together and fettled or parts made custom from scratch? Phil __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

11-06-2008, 19:48	#11
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers Ah right... so you would use your original and standard suspension setup but make it so that you can adjust the height? __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

11-06-2008, 19:55	#12
TeflonTom Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,372 Thanks: 26 Thanked 161 Times in 137 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers not quite no.... i've ordered a pair of these inserts from jkm koni inserts, i'm going to collect them tomorrow, with these you basically remove all of the innards of the original strut and put this in instead __________________

11-06-2008, 19:58	#13
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers Ah right... so your just basically left with the original springs and new shocks. What about the cups that are prone to rust? Will they be replaced? Its all very complicated this... thats why i'm liking the idea of the HP set... so so damn expensive! lol __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

11-06-2008, 20:03	#14
TeflonTom Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,372 Thanks: 26 Thanked 161 Times in 137 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers the height adjustable kit replaces the original spring perch with one that can be moved by rotating it around the body of the strut, this also disposes of the original spring too and uses a 2.25" spring, these springs are available in many different lengths and rates __________________

11-06-2008, 20:05	#15
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers I see... So it does end up being a total replacement of all the components! Is it diy'able or would i need to be able to compress the springs etc? Maybe you wouldn't mind sharing the prices of the components and giving a total price of the build? Phil __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

11-06-2008, 20:14	#17
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers That would be bloody marvelous of you... could make some money out of this if it works... im sure there's plenty of folks after a decent suspension upgrade without trying to source the HP set! Phil __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

11-06-2008, 20:15	#18
TeflonTom Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hayling Island, Hampshire Posts: 7,372 Thanks: 26 Thanked 161 Times in 137 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers to be honest i've looked at the hp set and they dont look all that good, they seem a bit flimsy to me __________________

12-06-2008, 09:07	#19
KenONeill Briskodian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Normally somewhere in Scotland! Posts: 9,326 Thanks: 43 Thanked 434 Times in 427 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers You'd need spring compressors yes, but you can buy or hire a set of them. As Tom says, the big issues are with components that need machining or welding.

12-06-2008, 09:17	#20
philje123 Nelly the Felly Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: York Posts: 1,552 Thanks: 43 Thanked 78 Times in 74 Posts	Re: i'm going to make my own coilovers Don't think i would be able to do it myself... never welded anything in my life and don't have access to such equipment any way. So my options are to do something like this but have a garage do it for me... or buy a complete set. Phil __________________ 96 Felicia Laurin & Klement 1.3 spi Hatchback (Now with Auto Headlights) -New timing chain -MOT passed with flying colours 10/2007 -71,000 miles and counting!!

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