Coil over VS 5" sping an external shock?

[exwestracer]

Personally, I don't think I'd go that route on a performance build. Ideally, you want the shock pushing directly against the spring (concentric). With that offset mount, you will be inducing some twist into the lower arm as the shock tries to resist the spring motion. Depending on the arm design, this may not be a huge deal, but we spend a lot of effort in getting all the compliance out of the suspension, and in that case the shock is definitely not directly counteracting the load.

Looks cool, though...

[badmatt]

Ok now my next question, Does the spring have to be concentric or can it be on the same Plain and a relative arc of motion?

Reason I ask is that my lower control arm shock mounts can be in the same line of the center of the coil spring.

Im not disregarding your knowledge at all just trying to figure out a feasible way of making this work.

But there has been one other option I Have been looking at. What Brian did with his camaro.



But this is the extreme of what I would like to do. lower control arm is a tad short on these trucks.

Or in the chicayne kit format.

Matt

[Track Junky]

I also dont like the way your shock is currently set up at the front of the a-arm. I'm going to standby here and wait for Ray's answer but I'm pretty sure your going to want both shock and spring working on the same plane.

This might be a dumb question but it sounds like you want to incorporate the air bags in your set up?

[badmatt]

No air ride....

[badmatt]

Originally Posted by Track Junky

I also dont like the way your shock is currently set up at the front of the a-arm.

the shock would be rearward of the arm.

[Track Junky]

Quite honestly I would do it the way Hobaugh did his. If the cost of a decent coil over shock is holding you back take a look at the Afco double adjustable coil overs. They list them as a pro-touring coil over and go for $300 each.

[badmatt]

Cost isn't the issue im worried about.

I was looking at running JRI units anyways.

I went and spent some time out in the garage this eve looking and contemplating, took and old QA1 I had sitting around from a previous project and It looks like I can make it work the way Brian did.

Ill just have to cut the entire bucket off the frame and close it up (no big deal not as bad as I thought before) I just wont have it at NEARLY the same angle as Brian due to my short control arms. (damn S truck)

BUT back to the original question at foot that may help some other people out since my quest is over.

Matt

[Track Junky]

Glad to hear it. Hopefully Ray will chime in here soon but I dont think shock angle will be an issue even if you had to set it up straight up and down.

As far as the difference from the conventional spring/shock combo compared to coil over goes I'm sure Hobaugh will be running at T-Hill this upcoming season so I will be looking forward to comparing my lap times with his.

[exwestracer]

Originally Posted by badmatt

Ok now my next question, Does the spring have to be concentric or can it be on the same Plain and a relative arc of motion?

Reason I ask is that my lower control arm shock mounts can be in the same line of the center of the coil spring.

Im not disregarding your knowledge at all just trying to figure out a feasible way of making this work.

But there has been one other option I Have been looking at. What Brian did with his camaro.



But this is the extreme of what I would like to do. lower control arm is a tad short on these trucks.

Or in the chicayne kit format.

Matt

Not sure I'm understanding your comment on the control arm length... The arm could be the exact same length no matter what you do with the spring and/or shock. What you have pictured here is by far the BEST layout for what you are asking, IMO. Only thing I would change would be to extend (or redesign) the top mount to get the shock as upright as possible. There is still room left in the upper arm to move the shock out further, even allowing for angle change in compression.

Any time the shock is outside the spring, the LCA needs to be built heavier to resist the force offset between the shock and spring. The further away the shock is located (in any direction), the beefier the arm needs to be. Keep in mind I am looking at this from a pure design standpoint, NOT saying that any available arms or components "won't work"...

[badmatt]

What I am describing the short control arms is the actual length of my lower control arms and placement of the lower coil over mount in relation to the ball joint.

I'm dealing with an S10 which lets face it, is not the most ideal vehicle to make turn. But with cutting the outer portion of the spring bucket off the frame rail and plating it flat with the rest of the frame and running the coil over as close to vertical as possible is the best way to go.

Thank you For the advice and direction Ray, It is greatly appreciated. Now since you have stepped in expect seeing a couple PM's from me

Matt