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Post by bulldog on Dec 2, 2007 7:29:38 GMT 12
Hey guys, I've finally got myself under the car for the first time and it's got pretty new looking Monroe gas shocks all round, do you guys know if I can simply get some aftermarket springs and use them with these shocks or do they need to be shortened etc?
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Post by gordo on Dec 2, 2007 17:32:41 GMT 12
Good question, the problem is the springs becoming dislodged in their seats, even falling out. The front isn't a problem but the rears will be - the stanard and aftermarket dampers/shock's extend a long way and the standard rear springs are a progressive type to allow the long travel while still being a good rate at normal ride height. Unfortunately aftermarket springs generally are shorter and will fall out. For a small amount of lowering, you may get by but if you're after a significant amount, you're going to need shorter rear dampers or some other method of limiting travel. If you're serious, as I think you are, about using it competitively, I'd suggest leaving it as is at the moment and plan for replacing it with correctly rated shortened springs and new adjustable dampers - shortened at the rear but I'd use standard length on the front as it gives additional suspension travel without risk of losing a spring - this would also be an excellent time to go for turreted rear dampers, which are much more efficient. For most things, esp' autocrosses and bumpier events, what you have will be adaquate to start with, anyway. [edit] Forgot, TJM ( www.tjmotorsport.co.uk/products.php?cat=7&PHPSESSID=7b6d3e842b6b969866fbdfc53b7352a1 ) has quite a lot of Chevette stuff - have a look through it using 'Chevette' in the search option |
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Post by bulldog on Dec 2, 2007 19:46:39 GMT 12
Thanks gordo. I'll have a look round
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Post by mikuni on Dec 3, 2007 8:00:27 GMT 12
Yeah, but chevette/gemini stuff is very universal when it comes to suspension so you don't need to bother going overseas and worrying about the freight and pissing about.
I'm running full gemini nolathanes in the front with a whiteline 26mm sway bar from a gemini, nolathane universal sway bar mounts, suzuki sj4 shocks in the front and toyota levin ae85 shocks in the rear. I'm yet to upgrade the rear bushes etc because I didn't know what I was going to upgrade to as far as the diff but since I'll probably be using chevette/gemini/piazza torque tube type stuff in the future I think I'll upgrade to gemini nolathane stuff soon.
Zep is using snells custom springs, which are quite a good height and 450lb f and 250lb r, which sounds pretty good to me, if not a touch harder in the rear than I would go as I prefer slightly softer with a sway bar to try and keep the back on the ground as much as possible. I would go with something similar here and then afterwards you can measure up what length of shock would fit best for this setup and hold it all captive. Once you do this then you can either get something that works from the likes of KYB etc or go offshore for some proper kadett/chevette after market stuff that is adjustable and will work well in a race situation.
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Post by bulldog on Dec 3, 2007 11:43:21 GMT 12
The next 6 months is going to be purely hill climbs and the likes, perhaps a few track days so all I'm looking for at the moment is some firmer springs and better shocks and or use the ones I have. I'll go the full hog when I'm doing the whole hsr kit out.
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Post by zep on Dec 3, 2007 13:31:12 GMT 12
Well then I hope to see you at the next Oldschool track day in April!
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Post by geminimad on Dec 3, 2007 17:27:08 GMT 12
ive just done my front suspension on the gem on the weekend im running dobisport standard ride height lc-lj torana springs which were only 130 bucks trade price and there very stiff and lowered it abwt 45mm they fit perfectly aswell
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Post by gordo on Dec 3, 2007 17:37:34 GMT 12
The next 6 months is going to be purely hill climbs and the likes, perhaps a few track days so all I'm looking for at the moment is some firmer springs and better shocks and or use the ones I have. I'll go the full hog when I'm doing the whole hsr kit out. Seal and/or gravel? Which club are you joining/ I've been meaning to pull finger and join the Hibiscus club but their mettings are 7:30 on Thursdays and, TBH, after a ten hour day I can't be buggered getting cleaned up and just getting there. For a place the size of Auckland, there doesn't seem to be a heck of a lot going on ... may have to rejoin one of my old clubs, The Northland Sports Car Club as it's close and we used to have at least a couple of events a month. |
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Post by bulldog on Dec 4, 2007 20:56:48 GMT 12
Hey gordo, I was thinking of joining Hibiscus as i used to be a member years ago. I know they do a lot more smaller level stuff than the auckland car club.
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Post by 77vette on Dec 4, 2007 20:56:55 GMT 12
Good question, the problem is the springs becoming dislodged in their seats, even falling out. Unfortunately aftermarket springs generally are shorter and will fall out. bullnuts. Can be completly uncaptive by miles and they will never fall out unless you jack the car up and push them out. Trust me on this one. Can get epic air and they dont even fall out. however i would recomend visiting your local suspension shop and finding a set of shorter shocks with the same ends as the chevette |
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Post by gordo on Dec 4, 2007 21:23:52 GMT 12
Good question, the problem is the springs becoming dislodged in their seats, even falling out. Unfortunately aftermarket springs generally are shorter and will fall out. bullnuts. Can be completly uncaptive by miles and they will never fall out unless you jack the car up and push them out. Trust me on this one. Can get epic air and they dont even fall out. however i would recomend visiting your local suspension shop and finding a set of shorter shocks with the same ends as the chevette Hehe, it'll be used for competition, you'd be surprised what a rough autocross can do ... you don't take any chances with losing a spring - and besides, it'd fail scruitineering, anyway. It's not just 'air' either - I used to have a pic' with both inside wheels off the ground, taken at a tarmac event (street sprint). |
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Post by crazytim on Dec 8, 2007 9:36:49 GMT 12
dodgy tom @ it again!! wont get a wof with uncaptiv springs (or with no springs @ all lol)
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Post by 77vette on Dec 8, 2007 10:05:59 GMT 12
nah ive got wofs with uncaptive springs....not saying i recomend doing it tho ;D
chevettes got to be sacked out and thats the bottom line, 'cause stone cold said so!
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Post by crazytim on Dec 8, 2007 10:43:41 GMT 12
bring ur angle grinder around and show me the way then boe!!
duz ur vette actually go?
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Post by bulldog on Dec 11, 2007 13:07:06 GMT 12
SO I'm assuming cutting the rear springs and putting in a U clamp isn't the go  I certainly need firmer ones in the front to stop the 7 inch badboys from scraping now. |
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