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Short stroke suspension


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my setup works great.. though i wish i had the resources and equipment to do my own.. but im happy with it.. the pic in my sig is low and i still can go a whole lot lower.. =) Edited by thagremlin
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  • 2 weeks later...
very well documented. This way you can almost run any spring rate you want... I'm just wondering if I should do this, or bite the bullet on some 101 full coils.... Def a good write up, and great work.
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i have been looking into this for a while and was wondering the same thing as idriftjunk. the agx inserts are like 90 a piece from what i have seen then you gotta buy the coilover conversion. i guess the only plus is the short stroke. are 101's full coils made with replacable inserts and are they a shorter stroke? because if not im guess this way would be better that 101's
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i have been looking into this for a while and was wondering the same thing as idriftjunk. the agx inserts are like 90 a piece from what i have seen then you gotta buy the coilover conversion. i guess the only plus is the short stroke. are 101's full coils made with replacable inserts and are they a shorter stroke? because if not im guess this way would be better that 101's

 

 

There is a height adjustment on 101's coilovers so you dont lose travel. Height adjustment and spring adjustment.

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cool writeup

when I started a couple threads years ago about shortened housings with shorter inserts, for needed increase travel, never got a single response... as if I was speaking alien. Since we've only been doing it on our rollas for over 10yrs - lol

 

lowered flattys look extra sweet imo

http://www.fr33z3.net/starions/Apr06/0_starion_079_copy1.jpg

 

some info that may help others going this path;

what gauge sheet metal used to 'stuff' housing for the smaller insert

 

put on spring perch before welding strut housing top..... & what height

 

my escort used a flat teflon? washer (OEM part), that one may can use in place of that needle bearing

 

some good koni 'short' insert info here, may introduce more options

SE-R guys/nissans have the same "lack of suspension travel" when lowered

http://www.sr20forum.com/chassis-suspension/185484

 

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so exactly how low will his coilovers let you go?

 

I have no idea, but I think Casey_L should know!

http://www.starquestclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82156

 

some info that may help others going this path;

what gauge sheet metal used to 'stuff' housing for the smaller insert

 

put on spring perch before welding strut housing top..... & what height

 

my escort used a flat teflon? washer (OEM part), that one may can use in place of that needle bearing

 

some good koni 'short' insert info here, may introduce more options

SE-R guys/nissans have the same "lack of suspension travel" when lowered

http://www.sr20forum.com/chassis-suspension/185484

 

 

I got the steel from a friend who was throwing it out. It had some print on it that said 26GA galvanized, so it sould be about 0.0217 inches(0.55118mm)thick. http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/sheetmetal.html

 

Position of the spring perch depends on what coilover set you will be using. I put them on loose BEFORE welding on the strut tops. Otherwise, it wouldnt fit over the bead of the weld.

 

Any more info on that flat teflon washer???

 

Also, that sr20forum link doesnt work.

Edited by SFBMX88
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off topic: hows that shifter =)

 

Sorry man, Ive been so busy lately. No time to install it! Ill let you know when I do though!

 

 

Modified front strut tube length is roughly 13 inches from the very top of the housing to where the tube meets the spindle....

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC01428.jpg

 

 

I think it would still be safe to go 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch shorter if you wanted.

 

 

Heres the stock length from the very top of the tube, to where it meets the spindle:

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC01490.jpg

Edited by SFBMX88
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  • 1 year later...

So after more than a year, I finally took time this week to finish up the rear suspension :P

 

The rear SHP strut housings turned out to be slightly thicker than the front NON-SHP struts I used, so I had to get the threaded Celica strut tops turned down abit more. Also, I used Celica AllTrac/SW20 MR2 front inserts and Tein 8" long 6kg springs.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06267.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06268.jpg

 

Cut almost 3 inches off the top of the stop SHP strut housing, then welded on the Celica strut tops. The insert had to be spaced up about 1 inch using some washers and an old insert spacer from some front Tocikos.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06223.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06224.jpg

 

24 year old struts cant get it up anymore...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06282.jpg

 

I needed the total height of the assembled strut to be about 20 inches from the bottom of the lower mounting flange to the top of the camber plate. Just measuring and spacing with everything loosely attached before welding/assembling everything...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06222.jpg

 

Modified and stock struts fully extended...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06280.jpg

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06283.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06284.jpg

 

Before and after, Quest on the lift:

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06274.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06285.jpg

 

I also welded up some washers to lock the Artinist camber plates in place. I always had trouble with the old plates getting loose and moving.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06292.jpg

 

The bigger washer is slightly smaller than the big hole in the top of the strut tower. I ground down the red area to make an eccentric.

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06290.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06289.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06293.jpg

 

Good thing my friend welded up the strut housings! My attempt at welding on these washers:

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06296.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06294.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06298.jpg

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06291.jpg

 

For now, the eccentrics are locked in at full positive camber to compensate for the lower ride height and for more even tire wear. If I wanted to go more negative, I just have to flip them 180 degrees. Any adjustment in between or beyond, Ill probably make new eccentrics.

Edited by SFBMX88
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http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06328.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06330.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06334.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06327.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y176/sfbmx88vol2/starion-suspension/DSC06326.jpg

 

I dont really want to go any lower just to keep it drivable on these crappy SF streets. Too many potholes, driveways, and speed bumps to deal with! Plus the front tires already scrape the fenders on occasion. Maybe Ill go with a lower profile tire...

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  • 3 months later...

I know this is a old thread, but in you pic of the rear SHP strut housings in post #7 it looks like they are about 16.5 inch tall.

 

Do you remember how deep the inside was? 16in? What is the longest strut insert I can fit in the rear housing?

 

Thanks for your help :)

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