JIC coilovers and dented hoods...
 

Well,

I really love the JIC-FLT2 coilovers. The only problem is that the rebound adjustment stalk is just alittle too high in the front.

It never dented my hood, but I would see it rub on my hood liner. Then today during a oil change (yes I usually change my own oil but since moving I don't have a garage :(), the mechanic let the hood "drop" close.

When I got home I noticed a small dent on the hood :( dammit!


To those with the new JIC just be careful and close the hood and then push it close. Maybe the next time I have it off there could be a way to put some padding or rubber just to space the coilover....

Ouch. If it is just a hair more room you need add a couple washers between the top of the strut mount and the shock tower. This will give you a little more space between the hood and the stem.

Yea...sucking. The washers are a great idea....now I just have to convince rx7gslse to scrape his knuckles again and help me remove the fronts!

Rishie,

I've noticed more and more complaints of this nature about the JIC FLT-A2s. Have you guys experienced any problems on any of your installs?

I have a picture taken from inside the engine bay (I have that dubious luxury, at the moment) of the clearance of my JICs to my hood. I'll dig it up when I get home tonight and see if I can't post it.

I noticed that they're very tall also, but planned on putting rubber caps on top of them to protect the hood However, absolutely no one touches my car, nor do I ever drop my hood closed.

BTW, while we're on the subject of the JICs... Rishie, do you know if there are replacement coils available in different spring rates, or if "standard" Eibach coils (for coil-overs) will work as replacements?

Jim,

if you still have your stock hood liner, and you put rubber caps on it; I think it will hit.

Like I said mine never dented the hood before, but I would see it rub the liner.

I think that the yahoo of a mechanic, when he slammed the hood, caused it to go down the extra 2-3mm to cause the dent...it really is small but dammit!

can you grind it with dremel to lower the
adjusment stalk?

reza

ummm....I guess....but it might look alil ghetto

When I orded mine from Rishie he told me that I could purchase different springs with different rates if I wanted to. So I think the answer to your question is yes you can purchase different springs at different rates. Whether you can use Eibach coils........I'm not sure if that would work or not. I would think it would be better to stick with JIC's coils. Just my opinion though.

About the dented hood problem. I also have the JIC Flt-A2's on my car. I noticed that the adjustment knob rubs on my liner. I also let my hood down, gently, until it latches and then push it down with my hand. So far no dents (knock on wood). I don't particularly care for the fact that there is a potential to dent my hood. However, I do really like the way the car handles now.

- Cody

OK, maybe it rubs on the liner (I haven't re-checked the clearance since I put a new liner on the hood, but it's untouched so far) but it sure looks like there's plenty of clearance on my car...

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/attach...postid=1682080

Jim like I said before mine didn't hit...but say you take into account the reduced clearance that you could get by compressing the rubber liner around the engine bay say from dropping the hood closed???!?!!

I think that's where it hits....its just really close

Nice pic BTW!!

Hurry up and finish that beast will ya ;)

Maybe my JICs are a bit different, but the adjustment post is nowhere near to the hood sheet metal. It's closer to a support rib on the underside of the hood, but it'd take a hefty slam to get it anywhere near the sheet metal, I'd think.

Maybe I'll have to take another picture now that the liner is installed and use a tape measure. :)

Thanks. Can't do much without an engine, though... not to mention a few other things left to take care of. :)

Jim, I'll try tomorrow to measure the distance from the top of the rebound adjustment knob to the base of the fender body,

at least that way...that may be the same...then the difference would have to be the fit of the hood and liner

I will look at the FD we're doing at the shop in the morning. Regardless I will relay this again to JIC.

Rishie

You can use ERS or any spring with the same diameter. In fact a friend of mine in Japan suggests that the Eibachs are superior to most spring manufacturers. They will take HKS springs off and use ERS.

Thanks Rishie. Do you happen to know what the "standard" spring rates are for the JIC coilovers for a reference point?

i believe the JIC recommended spring rate is 12kg/mm front and 9 kg/mm rear on the FLTA2. i use 14 and 12 and was able to get the 14's via rishie.....and moved my front 12's to the back without difficulty.

regards
fabian

ps....when i installed the flta2's, i thought for sure they were gonna touch the hood. they haven't, but i suspect it's pretty close. i would avoid the washer spacer idea since that interface is where the "weight" of that corner transfers onto the chassis. by using washers you'd be lessening the surface area to the size of the three washers. probably ok on the street, but i wouldn't do that kinda thing on my track car.

quit using my car for your "Wacky experiements" rishie, geeez. :D

If you only knew what we do to the car when you're not around.

I can confirm that 12 kg/mm front and 9 kg/mm is what JIC is using right now. It even says it on the empty JIC box in my living room. ;)

- Cody

JIC owners:
A little off topic, but what has been your experience w/ the height adjustment? Are you able to adjust ride height without removing the shock from its lower mount to turn the threads?

I just double-checked and the adjustment posts on my coilovers are VERY close to the hood liner. I had no idea that the hoodliner sat so much lower in that area. If it didn't already have indents for the area over the shock, they'd be piercing it. What the hell? :)

I will still put rubber caps over them. I figure a "softer", more rounded surface is better than a hard edge. Hopefully it'll keep them from chewing up my brand new hood liner... if my car ever moves under its own power again... :)

Anyone know what that works out to in "normal" pound ratings? Max? :)

Is it as simple as 9 kg/mm = 228.6 kg/in. = 504 lbs./in.? That would mean the 12kg/mm springs were 304.8 kg/in. or 672 lbs./in.

672/504??? If that's true, then JESUS those are STIFF springs. I don't need that much spring, let alone WANT that much spring with 19s... :)

Max, what would you recommend for a street going car? I saw your post on the 450/350 combination in the M2 coilover thread.