wlb
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Posts: 16
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Post by wlb on Jan 30, 2008 14:52:15 GMT -5
Have any of you ever removed the stock front springs and shocks and used coilovers mounted in the stock shock location? This would change the suspension to something like the 64 70 Mustangs.
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Post by zackbandyr12 on Jan 30, 2008 20:28:09 GMT -5
Have u tried this?
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wlb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by wlb on Jan 30, 2008 20:34:42 GMT -5
No I haven't. I was wanting to improve the suspension for a street car and thought that that would be a good idea and make it easy to adjust. It worked on the Mustang so don't see why it wouldn't work on the Chevette. It might be necessary to reinforce the shock mount towers but I don't see that as a problem.
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Post by zackbandyr12 on Jan 30, 2008 22:43:44 GMT -5
It's worth a try. I got some coil overs,and a old vette. It might be more trouble than it's worth. i guess we will see.
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wlb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by wlb on Jan 31, 2008 13:50:48 GMT -5
I would think it would be fairly easy to do. The shock mount is already on the top of the A Arm and only a new mount would be necessary on the tower. I think getting the stock spring out would be more hassle than making the mounts.
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Post by DOCTOR FIELDS on Jan 31, 2008 15:00:36 GMT -5
You wouldn't want to attach a coil over to the upper a-arm. It would be best to attach it to the lower a-arm closest to the lower balljoint as possible. Make your upper mount on the stock upper crossmember. (see attached pic) I had looked into this setup on a Chevette. This is a 84-88 Pontiac Fiero coilover kit. I emailed their tech dept. and they said the front upper and lower a-arms are direct bolt on for a Chevette. RACERS DONT GET ANY IDEAS... LOL THIS WAS A $800 KIT 3 - 4 YEARS AGO. KIT INCLUDED TUBULAR LOWER AND UPPER A-ARMS AND COIL OVERS.
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Post by DOCTOR FIELDS on Jan 31, 2008 15:12:18 GMT -5
Also keep in mind the Fiero is a rear engined car, so the front coil over rates would be too light. You'd have to stiffen it up some and adjust from there.
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wlb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by wlb on Jan 31, 2008 19:53:34 GMT -5
I agree that it would be best to have the coilover attached to the lower A arm to keep the center of gravity lower but given the stock configuration of the Chevette it seemed like a quick and easy--also relatively cheap--way to improve handling and make adjustments easier.
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Post by zackbandyr12 on Feb 2, 2008 23:42:54 GMT -5
If u mount a coilover on the upper a arm,the front end would stick up in the air to much..
I think I'm wrong tho.
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Post by zackbandyr12 on Feb 2, 2008 23:50:40 GMT -5
I had looked into this setup on a Chevette. This is a 84-88 Pontiac Fiero coilover kit. I emailed their tech dept. and they said the front upper and lower a-arms are direct bolt on for a Chevette. hey fields, what was the companies name?
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wlb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by wlb on Feb 3, 2008 7:54:31 GMT -5
As long as the coilover wasn't any longer than the original shock, the ride height should remain the same.
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Post by DOCTOR FIELDS on Feb 3, 2008 8:15:20 GMT -5
I believe you will have problems attaching it to the upper a-arm. Can you imagine the whole weight of the front of the car depending on the outer section of the upper a-arm and flemsy shock mount? You said this is street application right? So there would be no rollbars up front? I think if nothing broke, with the coilover being so high, you would have alot of body roll. Just a suggestion, not trying to tell you what to do.
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Post by jeffries on Feb 4, 2008 11:10:13 GMT -5
How hard would it be for a machine shope or soemthing like that to just make a set of a-arms that are the correct demensions and then bolt the coil overs on? I dont know how hard it would be or if it would be any cheaper than that kit.?? just a thought
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wlb
New Member
Posts: 16
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Post by wlb on Feb 4, 2008 20:34:47 GMT -5
I looked at the Chevette upper A Arms again today and the shock mount is very close to the ball joint so I don't think there would be a bending or flex problem. I didn't have a racing coilover to try but the shock mount looks just like a coilover mount except possibly smaller. Just grind or cut off the stock shock mount and weld on one of the coilover mounts that are available most everywhere that sells race parts. The top would require a little more work but nothing major.
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Post by ikantreed on Jan 2, 2010 1:17:03 GMT -5
Help me. I'm in the process of buying another Chevette after being without for 25 years, and the driver's side strut tower is "rusted gone", with just a 3" strip of steel sheet metal holding the strut. I'm told that replacement towers can be had but haven't any luck in finding a source. I plan for this car to be sleeper daily driver. Any suggestions??
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