Suspension and Shock Absorbers

Post by **pistonpen paultje** » 29 Sep 2008 10:24 am

Why dont u people just use double springleafs? A pro-drifter here in the NL, did it with his 360. Just a shortened std. spring, bolted to the original one.

Post by **sven360** » 29 Sep 2008 08:05 pm

foggyjames wrote:£100/side is doable. I don't see we have many options, and it's cheaper than mucking about with adding on coilovers...and reinforcing the top mounts for the shocks.

cheers

James

Gatrac are by no means the cheapest supplier of GP4 Escort stuff.
Do a search for CD6 springs for Escort-go from 116lb thru' to 145lb-singles,slippers or whatever ya want.

Alternatively find a spring manufacturer-there's one in Blaydon,John.Tell 'em what ya want spec wise and save a $hit load of cash.
They're not exactly rushed off their feet at the mo

Credit crunch= bargains.

Post by **foggyjames** » 29 Sep 2008 09:27 pm

PP...was it bolted to the original at the centre only (seen that) or clamped at each end, too?

Sven McSvennerson....hook us (or FJ...FilthyJohn, that is, not me...) up with some of your mad tyte rallye chums, and let's get a buy on the go. I'd be game if someone can suggest some poundage numbers. I have no idea how to rate leafs...those numbers seem very low for coils, so I assume it's different...

cheers

James

Post by **sven360** » 29 Sep 2008 10:17 pm

See here both of you FJ's................

http://www.eatonsprings.com/rate.htm

116lb would be more for forest application or street use.
145lb tarmac or street use if you had a strong back.

What you need to establish is a reasonably accurate std spring poundage and then decide how far you wanna go. 25,30% or whatever.

Bear in mind a 30% increase in spring rate with 30% upreated shock will considerably tighten up your rear

Remember most of these cars have been sitting on the same ol' cart springs for 20yrs so a new std spring will show an improvement.

Post by **Jason B** » 29 Sep 2008 11:18 pm

liking the sig sven

, why not plate the damper top mount points and run a coilover where the damper goes... if you know the current spring rate then you can just add whatever extra you require. Granted its not as straightforward as getting leafs retempered and involves some searching for a suitable coilover, but it would allow adjustability down to the current spring rate of the stock volvo leaf.

Post by **foggyjames** » 30 Sep 2008 12:09 am

Now that's a pretty cool site. I have a set of GLT springs coming off a car soon, so I will have some suspects for measuring.

Coilovers are the other option, and it does make it nice & easy to adjust the rate if you're not happy with it.

cheers

James

Post by **Chris_C** » 30 Sep 2008 01:00 am

foggyjames wrote:Coilovers are the other option, and it does make it nice & easy to adjust the rate if you're not happy with it.

Just changes certain aspects of the handling. That price is a lot less than I was looking at a while back, I found a spring company in Hampshire way. I'm very keen on this.

Post by **pettaw** » 30 Sep 2008 05:16 am

This is very interesting. I've got an old GLE spring somewhere lying about that we can measure. Question is how?

Also, the GLT and GLE springs are deffo different. A stock GLE being harder than a stock GLT, therefore the GLT sits 1 inch lower. I have a funny feeling Volvo did some funny things with the tempering, like making them progressive or something. So if we just put stiffer springs in of the same size, the back end is going to really sit up in the air

Post by **filthyjohn** » 30 Sep 2008 08:38 am

Someone come up with some specs and I'll go to this joint in Blaydon and see what they can do.

Post by **foggyjames** » 01 Oct 2008 08:16 pm

You'll need a shorter spring (with a gentler arc) to retain the same ride height when you up the poundage. I imagine a spring mfr should be used to working that kinda thing out, though...

cheers

James

Post by **sven360** » 01 Oct 2008 08:52 pm

foggyjames wrote:PP...was it bolted to the original at the centre only (seen that) or clamped at each end, too?

cheers

James

FJ I would recommend both.
To not clamp the free ends of the spring could open a whole can of whoop ass

Ask our kid to take you over Bellasis' Bridge to see what I mean

Post by **sven360** » 01 Oct 2008 08:59 pm

Jason B wrote:liking the sig sven

Jason this was not intended solely for you but I'm pleased you took it that way.
How's the pig by the way??

Post by **Jason B** » 01 Oct 2008 11:52 pm

hehe, soon to be ready I hope

, managed to get a few good days to complete brake lines and some of the welding... bit more to do yet though!

Post by **foggyjames** » 02 Oct 2008 01:39 am

Is this the sort of piglet that which might cause you to...ooh...I dunno....butcher a perfectly nice BX GTI 16v for its engine...?

cheers

James

Post by **Chris_C** » 02 Oct 2008 10:34 am

The reason he bought it is cos it's a 1.3... Jason can't handle the raw powerz