coil overs

cobrakidz

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2,289
Has anyone ever installed coil overs on the front of their Tiger? If so could you let me know what company you used and do you like them? I like the idea of being able to adjust the ride height perfectly.
 

66TigerMK1A

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1,130
I put on a set of QA1's a few years ago... you can check them out here...

http://catmbr.org/VB_forum/album.php?albumid=10

I have the top rubber donut cut down and also 'drop' spindles so I can get the car pretty low... even with 24" tires...

IIRC, Theo Smit has some ( different brand ) on his car.. I'm sure there are others...

Jim

B382000446
 

cobrakidz

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Great looking setup, was it easy to install? Would you mind telling me what they run, or could you PM me? thanks.
 

66TigerMK1A

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With adjustable shocks, they run about $450 for shocks/springs from Jegs/Summit ... $50 less with NON adjustable shocks... To put that in perspective, the 'club' Edelbrock shocks are $375/4 and Dales springs are $200 a pair...
I used MS301-08375 ... for reference, the shocks are 7 5/8" compressed and 11 " extended . I ended up building a new lower mount that was stronger and it also mounted the shock 1/2" lower... that necessitated extending the shock length. I did that because I had some fears of coil bind at full compression but I suspect I could have just bolted them in without those mods..especially as I ended up cutting the top rubber donut in half for more lowering. I've even heard of guys running NO top donut...:eek:

I think the car rides great!!

When I bought it, the P.O. had hacked ( literally!) 2" off the top of the stock springs to lower the car and then realized it was too much and had added 2 aluminum coil spacers ( each side!) wound in between the coils ... let's just say the ride was 'harsh'!:(




Jim
B382000446
 

Maliburevue

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CAT Member
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221
Donuts

I also cut down the rubber donut at the top of the spring. The donut is 5/8" thick and I cut off 1/2". I wanted to leave something to give at least some vibration isolation and don't like metal against metal contact.

The A-arm is ~12" long and the donut is ~6" from the fulcrum point, so a 1/2" reduction in the thickness of the donut drops the front end ~1". This doesn't change the spring rate either, so it rides the same as before.

Gary
 

cobrakidz

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2,289
I might have to take my front end apart and see if I have the donuts, my car sits waaaaay high and needs to come down.
On the coil overs, how much adjustment is there in the height? I really need to come down 1.5-2" just to be in the "acceptable" range for me.
 

66TigerMK1A

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1,130
There's quite a bit of adjustment... I have the bottom of the spring up about 3/4" - 1" I think ... and the 'half' donut, shock mounted 1/2" lower etc. ... I also have Minx spindles which take it down another 7/8" without changing anything else.
I've sourced and sold quite few sets to other Tiger guys... I haven't been able to track any more down for some time but I DO have one set out in the shop ...not cheap though :(
I'll add a pick to show you the difference... and a pic of the car (#18) to show you the stance...I just measured from the center of the wheel straight up to the top of the fender and sighted across...that measurement is 18 3/8" ...


Jim
 

cobrakidz

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2,289
Those spindles make a difference, and it would still ride like stock, great idea. I like the car, are those fender lips flared?
 

66TigerMK1A

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Ya, I would consider the spindles as the #1 first choice for lowering as they change nothing as far as suspension travel... but very hard to find them...:(

My fenders are very slightly rolled on both front and back... and come out to a knife edge. It allows me to run 245/50 14's in back and 215/60 14's in the front.. wheels are 8" and 7" 3-piece Epsilons... gives the car a very aggressive stance ... with about 400 ponies to back it up ;)


Jim
B382000446
 

cobrakidz

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2,289
What spring rate would you suggest for a street driven car? I looked up the kit, seems to be fairly simple.
 

66TigerMK1A

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I used the 375# springs ... Nothing is ever straight forward when modifying a Tiger... lol :rolleyes:
Sent you a PM ...


Jim
B382000446
 
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