Coilover Mockup Tool

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

This adjustable "locost" tool can be used to figure out where the mounts need to be in order to align with a specific model coilover. Actual mounts should be made using the actual coilover.

With the negative camber set to the most you might ever use (1.5deg?), start with 3 inch droop and the fully extended spec of the desired coilover to position the temp mounts as far outboard as will clear the UCA and trying to ensure the LCA doesn't bend from hitting a pot hole, then raise the suspension to 3 inches of bump and measure the eye to eye distance of the temp mounts (or adjust the tool to fit and measure that) to determine if the desired coilover is going to work.

Damping rates are a separate topic. This is just about fitment, to be followed by spring rate selection.

[Kinetic Research]

I like the use of the wooden spring substitute, great for clearance checks.

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

Thanks. Hopefully it will help prevent folks from painting themselves into a corner.

[tibimakai]

There is a rough OD for the springs that are used for our cars?
Thanks for this MiataV8.

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

A common universal spring size has a 2.5 inch ID. Wire gauge thickness tends to be less than 0.450 inch. ID plus two wire gauges should provide a rough od. Then add a 1/2 inch for adequate clearance.

[tibimakai]

Thanks, so that is roughly 3.5", right?
At this stage, I don't have the brackets yet.

I have another question about struts, I did not want to start another thread just for this.
There are two type of strut mounts, bushings and bearings. What would be the reason to go with one, or the other type?
I'm looking into coilovers, I will need to buy them soon, but I'm a novice about them. Most likely I will have many more questions about them, specially choosing them.
Thanks in advance.

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

2.5+0.45+0.45+0.5=3.90" to ensure clearance. Spherical bearing mounts allow more misalignment (from alignment changes or mount upper and lower not perfectly parallel and aligned with each other) and last much longer but rubber works well enough.

[tibimakai]

I thought that most people are using the 1.9" ID springs.
I made my mock up tool out of the material shipping tube, and it's aluminum caps + a 3/4" tube.
Total Bump travel = 6"
Total Droop travel = 4.5"

[Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F]

Maybe they do. Original sevens have smaller id springs and I think the gaz coilovers that Jack sold are also the smaller id. It doesn't matter what most people use, only what you decide to use.

It looks like that will clear nicely.

[tibimakai]

Next I will need a lot of help choosing the setup. First I need to make fake coils for the rear, and weigh the car.