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 Post subject: Coilover Mockup Tool
PostPosted: June 25, 2023, 11:07 am 
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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.


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Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


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 Post subject: Re: Coilover Mockup Tool
PostPosted: June 26, 2023, 5:47 pm 
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Location: New Zealand
I like the use of the wooden spring substitute, great for clearance checks.


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 Post subject: Re: Coilover Mockup Tool
PostPosted: June 27, 2023, 7:47 am 
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Thanks. Hopefully it will help prevent folks from painting themselves into a corner.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


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 Post subject: Re: Coilover Mockup Tool
PostPosted: April 17, 2024, 2:26 pm 
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Joined: January 14, 2021, 12:19 pm
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Location: San Dimas, CA
There is a rough OD for the springs that are used for our cars?
Thanks for this MiataV8.

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'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress


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 Post subject: Re: Coilover Mockup Tool
PostPosted: April 17, 2024, 4:14 pm 
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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.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


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 Post subject: Re: Coilover Mockup Tool
PostPosted: April 18, 2024, 11:27 am 
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Joined: January 14, 2021, 12:19 pm
Posts: 463
Location: San Dimas, CA
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.

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'20 Alfa Romeo Stelvio daily
Locost/442E in progress


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 Post subject: Re: Coilover Mockup Tool
PostPosted: April 18, 2024, 2:58 pm 
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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.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12


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 Profile  
Reply with quote  
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