5 replies to this topic

[79marty91]

hey peeps :)

Im just wondering what arches will be best for 13X7 wheels?? Looking to get them painted as well!
So will i be able to use any plastic/fibreglass ones?

and subframes:-
Looking to get springs on the rear, if had 2 subframes can i switch between the normal suspentions and the springs or does it have to be one or the other.

cheers marty

Edited by 79marty91, 19 July 2012 - 01:45 PM.

[Skortchio]

You don't need to change subframes to swap suspension components, so no worries there.
Switching between springs and rubber is an hour or two's work at best once you're familiar with how it works.

13x7 will be big enough to fill out pretty much any arches you fancy, short of extra wide Miggy's or Mexico's. Some arches will be a little narrow to cover the tread of the tyre (legal requirement but not MoT, apparently).
Have a nose through the arch thread and pick some

Plastic or fibreglass makes little difference when painted, you could even go with exposed carbon weave if you're feeling flash!

[79marty91]

ideal cheer :) but just wondering can you swap springs back to cones?? and what would be easer to do, swap the suspension or the subframes?

[Skortchio]

Suspension is way easier, and as for springs / cones - they're just direct replacements of one another. Unles you're moving into coilovers but that's a whole other issue entirely.

Suspension is: Wheels off, dampers undone, suspension out. Then reverse.

Subframe is: That, plus brake lines, exhaust and the subframe itself. (I think).

[79marty91]

Suspension is way easier, and as for springs / cones - they're just direct replacements of one another. Unles you're moving into coilovers but that's a whole other issue entirely.

Suspension is: Wheels off, dampers undone, suspension out. Then reverse.

Subframe is: That, plus brake lines, exhaust and the subframe itself. (I think).

fantastic thanks man :) and out off interest.... what is the different between springs and coil-overs? when im a bit more awake i will properly make more sense ]

cheers

[Skortchio]

Mini suspension comes in 4 common varieties.

Hydrolastic - Don't know much about it, but it was an attempt at better comfort and handled like crap from what i've read.

Rubber cones - Mainstay Mini suspension, offers true rising rate tension and great handling but short life expectency and special tooling required to fit.

Spring conversion - directly replaces rubber cones with short springs, several brands the best being Minitastic which offer progressive tension similar to rubber but not as effective. Trade of is a small loss of performance for large improvement in comfort, some increase in body roll.

Coilover - complete redesign of the suspension system to modern style with damper and shock incorporated in one unit. Requires modification of mountings and fairly involved work to fit. Actual improvement is debatable but often used on 16v and big block engine conversions where the longer shocks can better handle the heavier engines.

Now I'm going to bed