[tmcmillan5]

Hey guys, I'm getting a new set of Varieshock Coilovers from SC&C and I want to run my Installation setup by you guys, for your thoughts. I'm getting the Poly 515 models w/top & bottom bracket kit (its on Sale Now so I saved a few bucks). My plan is modify the lower shock mount area and fabup the new brackets for mounting slightly inboard 1" or so,for future tire/wheel upgrades. For the top I plan to mount directly under the Frame Rail at the point where the frame is indented for existing shock clearence. I'll probably have to do some cutting on the frame rail to get a nice level area to weld on some tabs to thru bolt the top shock eyelet. I also plan on beefing-up my frame rail from the new mount forward at the hump over the rear end, by cutting a piece of 1/8" sheet steel in the shape of the inside frame rail, slab it on and weld around the entire perimeter.

I hope to gain a bit of stability and body roll by setting it up this way via keeping the Coil Overs as far outboard as possible. The shocks will be leaning in and forward about 10 degress from plumb. What do you Think, have I missed something ?

Oh yah, my car is a 68 vert about 75 lbs lighter in the rear than stock and we are using 150# spring rate w/ single adjustable shocks.

Thanks Tony

 

[mcmlxix]

I am in no way an expert on this.. but from what I've read and seen... taking a piece of round stock, drill holes throught the inner and outer frame rails on each side and slide it through and weld it.. this makes it very strong. It would also eliminate the need to cut and patch the frame...

 

[tmcmillan5]

I got my new rear Varishocks installed. Got a few pictures, lets see if I can paste'm up.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j94/tmcmillan5/tonys%20
pictures/CIMG0107.jpg

What do ya think ?
Thanks, Tony

 

[MJRIBEIRO]

Very cool Tony - Do you need to squeeze the ball a few times before you start the car? hahaha

 

[vrooom3440]

Looks pretty good. I should keep my mouth shut because you have it all done already, but a couple minor thoughts...

The bottom shock mount orientation might be a problem. You have rotated the bottom mount 90* from stock. I think most coil over setups I have seen were done this way so it is probably fine. But I would want to chck out the limits of sideways movement with the shock bearing/bushings there. Trying to push parts beyond their range can get ugly. Plus the side loading can do bad things to the shock itself by making internal parts rub and wear at an accelerated rate.

If I were going to do this, I would try to locate the shocks in front of the axle instead of behind. My thinking on this is to match the fore/aft motion ratio with the lateral motion ratio. Behind the axle you have a motion ratio of more than one so you can use lighter springs. In front the motion ratio goes less than one allowing the use of stronger springs which can provide more lateral roll stiffness.

 

[Mark SC&C]

Nice job Tony. True,it`s not textbook but with the limited body roll of a well set up PT car I don`t think the orientation of the bushings will be an issue.

I have to disagree about the spring/dampening rates changing with location on the rear,fore/aft. So long as the shocks are mounted to the axle housing itself and not the arm their motion ratio remains the same if they`re mounted front,back or top,provided that their orientation to their frame mounts remains constant. The fact they the arms pivot at the rear axle makes all the difference. The arms are not a lever in this case. If this car had truck arm though you`d be right,the motion ratio would change. Mark SC&C

 

[murfs66]

Very nice work.