gfd263

iTrader: (4)

I just installed a set of Koni Special D inserts into my 1979 strut housings. The only modification needed was the collars were a little too thick. I used some 14 ga x 1.5" header tubing to replace them. It was an ebay find that I think was well worth the $50.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

$50 for shocks?? or header tubing ?
I have a set of these shocks too, still in the box. can you explain a bit more about the "collars"? Are you referring to the top of the thread-mount that screws into the strut? Have a photo to show what you did? confused....

cheers
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

gfd263

iTrader: (4)

The VW/Audi inserts have a thick collar that goes over the top. That collar will not fit into the strut housing. The cartridges were bought on ebay for $50. The header tubing was some scrap 14 ga tubing that I had left over from a job I did on a Ford Fiesta years ago. I used 3/8" (the same length as the VW/Audi collars) lengths on each side.
No modification was done to the housing. I also made my own spanner wrench to remove the gland nut from the SA housing using scrap roll cage tubing. The FB nuts can be removed with channel lock pliers.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

This sounds interesting but I'm not following what you did with the header tubing
here. A pic would be nice. I'm not seeing it very well in my head yet.

stofficer1226

Yeah could you explain a little more? I am looking into swapping VW suspension into my rx7 because there is a greater market for VWs than FBs. I have a lot of experience with VW suspension and the MK4 and MK5 cars use cartridges like our RX7s.

Has anyone ever converted the rear of a SA/FB to a true coilover (shock with spring over it)?
On the rear of my mk3 Jetta it has a solid rear beam, a lot like the solid rear we have, except it's front wheel drive. It also has the eye bolt thing on the bottom of the shock, but the only difference is the spring sits on the shock.

gfd263

iTrader: (4)

I did not want to take it back apart. I have attached a diagram and pics of the Koni collar and my homemade tool for the SA gland nut. The Koni collar is about 3/16" thick and will not fit in the housing. The 1/8" header tubing was cut to the same height. Hope this helps.

I put a set of Koni 30 series on the back. Coil overs will work, but they will need to be of narrow diameter. Springs and sleeves are my next purchase. I have a 4 foot stick of nylatron. That is going to go on the lathe for bushings and some scrap sheet metal is going to make a set of camber plates.

Stevan

iTrader: (17)

So the collar is a spacer that goes between the gland nut, and the cartridge?
IIRC the Tokiko blues require this too.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

for the un-initiated.... a "gland nut" is.....
????

But thanks for description attempts.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

gfd263

iTrader: (4)

A gland is a general type of stuffing box, used to seal a rotating or reciprocating shaft against a fluid. The most common example is in the head of a tap (faucet) where the gland is usually packed with string which has been soaked in tallow or similar grease.

stofficer1226

what's our options for the front? The rear seems to be easy. But what is the diameter of the front strut housing? In the VW world there's a few guys that try and go as low as possible so they have to turn to different shocks. They convert the front to strut cartridge setup. How can I figure out what will fit in the front? My goals arn't to slam the car, just lower it enough but have a lot of adjustable settings. this car is built for racing, not show.


Sorry if I am jacking your thread, but I figured you seemed like you knew what you were doing so I'd post in here instead of starting a new one.

Kentetsu

Just a couple of thoughts here:

1. The stock rear mounting for the shock is not reinforced to carry the weight of the vehicle. If switching to a true coilover rear end, you would have to add substantial bracing to support the weight.

2. I don't see much (if any) advantage in creating a custom coilover setup (front or rear) based on parts made for other cars. The design work and creation of parts for our cars has already been done, so why the duplication in effort?

I'm just wondering what the advantage(s) is. Different shock selection? I built my car with parts from www.re-speed.com and they seem to do everything I could ask. The quality was top notch, and the pricing cheap. Thanks...




.

bob8153

iTrader: (1)

I have a pair of 79-80 complete struts w/brakes and all in great shape just removed from running car incase one of you guys need them 50.00 plus shipping. Thanks.