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???

Edited 18 August, 200817 yr by TeflonTom

rally design, i think

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

Right... im officially feeling stupid and confused!

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

Phil

Shock Value

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

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

off hand i dont know the spring values.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

or have a kindly member make them for you;)

or have a kindly member make them for you;)

making suspension DIY is crazy..... unless you are going to use very expensive components of "race" quality.

and anyone spending 2k on a felly setup must be wanting to rally it professionally.

ffs get a grip!

making suspension DIY is crazy..... unless you are going to use very expensive components of "race" quality.

and anyone spending 2k on a felly setup must be wanting to rally it professionally.

ffs get a grip!

Someone's spending £6k converting a favorit to electric in the projects page and it looks great - only problem is I'm not a freedom member so can't reply to that thread

yes :iagree: i am in fact crazy