Coilover comparison

[nallj92]

Re: Coilover comparison

Since you're running the 8" tall spring as well, are you using a 1" or a 2" spacer? I had a 1" spacer milled and it doesn't sit quite high enough for me with the stock top cup (or at least as far as I'm able to adjust without pulling the coilovers out). That's why, I feel, that the 9" spring with the 1" tall top cup is a much better choice.

-P

I am using the QA1 1 inch taller spring cup. I did adjust ride height by pulling shocks and adjusting on the bench then reinstalled.

 

[Throws]

Re: Coilover comparison

I need to add the read shackle centering kit.

-P

 

[bdydrpds10]

Re: Coilover comparison

Get the QA1 that everyone gets, opt for the 1" dropped coilover cap (so you don't need to buy/fab a 1" spacer).

As far as coil rates, 550 and 600 seem to be the norm. I have 550 and it's stiff if I set the QA1 up high. Just make sure you go with a 9" long spring. If anyone says otherwise, you want to punch them in the head. Trust me. I've learnt this the hard way. For spring companies, I chose Eibach. Why? 1/2 the cost of the Hypercoils. I can find Eibachs @$49 all day long.

-P

Awesome info, I really want to dump my stock suspension and run coilovers.

I don't suppose you have a parts list or part #s?

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Coilover comparison

Awesome info, I really want to dump my stock suspension and run coilovers.

I don't suppose you have a parts list or part #s?

For stock arms? PM MRKING. or check his two threads on coilovers with stock a-arms

Can I use coilovers w/ stock control arms ?

How to install stock arm coil overs

I found this PN:

I believe the qa1's used in both front kits are the QA1-DR4855B shocks . Thats a 14" extended 10" compressed bearing mount coil over shock , and I see the norm is a matching 600 lb spring

 

[bdydrpds10]

Re: Coilover comparison

For stock arms? PM MRKING. or check his two threads on coilovers with stock a-arms

Can I use coilovers w/ stock control arms ?

How to install stock arm coil overs

I found this PN:

Awesome, thanks

Now I am still scratching my head on the 8" vs 9", Does the 9" coil spring still allow you to run the shock right side up and with ample room around the axle shaft area and the shock tower?

 

[Throws]

Re: Coilover comparison

Awesome info, I really want to dump my stock suspension and run coilovers.

I don't suppose you have a parts list or part #s?

Shocks: DS401 (QA1: comes with spherical bushings already installed, unless you feel like frequently replacing the polys that come with the DS402).
Springs: 0900.225.0550 or 0900.225.0600 (Eibach, quality and cheaper by 1/2)
Spacer: 9018-113 - QA1 Angled Spring Cap (replaces top cup, eliminates need for spacer)
Thrust Washer: Available at local Grainger. 3" OD, 2.25" ID (replaces "too large" ones that come with shocks)

Poly bushings are a must for the control arms. You're in there, might as well do it while you're ripping out the torsion bars. I've got some sources for the parts, PM if you want them.

This conversion was amazing... got rid of the "floaty" feeling.

-P

 

[Throws]

Re: Coilover comparison

Awesome, thanks

Now I am still scratching my head on the 8" vs 9", Does the 9" coil spring still allow you to run the shock right side up and with ample room around the axle shaft area and the shock tower?

Yes. I'm not sure where the original suggestion for 8" came from, but you'll see that most people run either a 1" spacer or a 1" dropped top cup. RPM's kit comes with a 9" spring and 2" spacer (they say it rides at stock height). This is the RPM 2" spacer.

Lots of coilover conversions recommend the Genesis 1" spacer: (1" compared to a 2"). I paid a machinist $50 + materials for a pair of 1" spacers.

So... IMHO: I would run a 9" spring with a 1" spacer (or drop cup). Keeps you from being in the weeds, gives you good fenderwell clearance, and still has a good look to it.

So... 8+2" or 9+1". I wish I had sprung for the 9" instead of the 8"

-P

 

[cloneman315]

Re: Coilover comparison

Anyone know the weight savings from say a full rpm set compared to a budget set with stock a arms?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Coilover comparison

There is some generalization being made here. For instance rpm coilovers have a much lower a-arm mounting point than JSM coilovers, that is why spacers are needed. I am not sure exactly where stock a-arms mounting points are in respect to the two designs but I suspect it's higher than rpm's. That little detail does make a difference.

 

[JSM]

Re: Coilover comparison

Dave is correct, shock mount location makes a difference in spring height and rate. My arms have never needed a spacer.

Not saying if spacers are good or bad, just be careful and make sure your setup is matched and works before you order parts you may not need.

 

[Throws]

Re: Coilover comparison

Dave is correct, shock mount location makes a difference in spring height and rate. My arms have never needed a spacer.

Not saying if spacers are good or bad, just be careful and make sure your setup is matched and works before you order parts you may not need.

Good point. Some setups may differ from what others are seeing. My own experience leads me to believe that a 9" spring and a 1" spacer would lead to a better overall fit than what I currently have (8" + 1" spacer).

I'm curious as to why some of the particulars to a stock control arm suspension leaves so many people with questions when they convert. Example: Many people still purchase the DS402 and order spherical bushings (or trim the stock polys that come with it. If they ordered the DS401, they would come with the spherical bushings already installed.

-P

 

[Throws]

Re: Coilover comparison

To add: Ordering the QA1 dropped top cup (PN# 9018-113), you wouldn't need a spacer, and you'd gain clearance on the top side where people would typically have issues with fitment. But this suggestion has only come up once or twice, and in my case it came up after spending almost $80 for a pair of 1" spacers. (credit goes to Nallj92)

-P

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Coilover comparison

one more thing, ditch the poly bushings in the coilovers, go with the solid metal ones.

 

[RealFastV6]

Re: Coilover comparison

Good point. Some setups may differ from what others are seeing. My own experience leads me to believe that a 9" spring and a 1" spacer would lead to a better overall fit than what I currently have (8" + 1" spacer).

I'm curious as to why some of the particulars to a stock control arm suspension leaves so many people with questions when they convert. Example: Many people still purchase the DS402 and order spherical bushings (or trim the stock polys that come with it. If they ordered the DS401, they would come with the spherical bushings already installed.

I think the simple answer is that there's a lot of different coilover threads at this point, and many of them have got slightly different information in them.

I somehow missed the fact that the DS401s come with the spherical bushings, so I ended up buying the DS402s and changing the bushings. I did use the tapered (drop cup) 1" spring cup though. I believe that tidbit of information was in one of the Stock Arm Coilovers threads, but is a worthwhile piece of information even though I used the Sportmachines A-Arms.

 

[Try Me]

Re: Coilover comparison

Subscribed. I am looking at doing coilovers on mine possibly this coming winter.

 

[blacktyaffair]

Re: Coilover comparison

Shocks: DS401 (QA1: comes with spherical bushings already installed, unless you feel like frequently replacing the polys that come with the DS402).
Springs: 0900.225.0550 or 0900.225.0600 (Eibach, quality and cheaper by 1/2)
Spacer: 9018-113 - QA1 Angled Spring Cap (replaces top cup, eliminates need for spacer)
Thrust Washer: Available at local Grainger. 3" OD, 2.25" ID (replaces "too large" ones that come with shocks)

Poly bushings are a must for the control arms. You're in there, might as well do it while you're ripping out the torsion bars. I've got some sources for the parts, PM if you want them.

This conversion was amazing... got rid of the "floaty" feeling.

-P

I ordered the DS401s, 9018-113s and the 0900.225.0550s. :tup:
The springs don't fit.:tdown:
The spacer and the shocks are set up for 2.5'' I.D. :doh:
Where did I go wrong? :dunno:

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Coilover comparison

The springs are 2.25" and the rest of the stuff is for 2.5"?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HAL-DS401/ - Recommended spring diameter 2.5"

I'd say you didn't go wrong anywhere. You just ordered what was said to be the correct combo of parts, which is obviously not the correct combo.

You can have the spring seats machined down to fit the 2.25" springs. That's what PPI Typhoon did.

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f213/qa1s-465741/

Figured I'd post up some pics of what it takes to run QA1's on the front of a 4x4/AWD S-Series:

The springs need to be 2.25" ID, which don't work with the standard spring seats, so they were machined down, and here is the result:

 

[JSM]

Re: Coilover comparison

Yep you ordered nothing wrong, just need to get the cups machined down. If you got with a 2.5" spring to bolt on to shock direct things don't clear.

 

[blacktyaffair]

Re: Coilover comparison

I guess I missed the part about machining the cups. No biggie. Just didn't want to machine the cups if I could just exchange them. To the machine shop it is! Maybe I can fire up the dusty lathe in the corner of the shop at work and learn me some machining skills. Thanks guys.

 

[Throws]

Re: Coilover comparison

Yep you ordered nothing wrong, just need to get the cups machined down. If you got with a 2.5" spring to bolt on to shock direct things don't clear.

Yep... have the bottom perch and new top cup turned down from 2.5" to 2.25".(make sure you get a tiny radius on the inside to keep anything from cracking).

As previously mentioned, you're going to need some new thrust washers, as the ones you got in the QA1 kit are going to be too big on the inside.

It's an amazing conversion when you're done... no way in hell I'd go back to the old setup. :tup:

-P