How to make coilovers - with options

Want some new struts? What brand springs to buy? How much camber to run? What brake pads? What's the best setup for your situation....
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heavywoody
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How to make coilovers - with options

Post by heavywoody »

This guide is a combination effort and shows some idea on how to build a set of coilovers for the front of your car.

First off, credit where credit is due. Help from both Jeff (quadfoursica) and Alex (Alxsmt) were utilized, as they both did this prior to me.

Jeff's setup:
http://www.quad4forums.com/forums/archi ... 15205.html

Alxsmt's setup:
http://www.beretta.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24673

Once you determine what part(s)/ numbers you are going to use, you can search Google to find the best prices - don't feel obligated to purchase these exact parts as you might want different colors or something.

This is what I ordered:

Item/quantity/part number/website

New Left Strut
New Right Strut
Koni Inserts/quantity 2/8641-1231SPORT (google the part number for best prices)
Hyperco 2.5" ID springs, 8" length, 275# rating/quantity 2/you can get whatever length/spring rate you want: http://www.hrpworld.com/store/default/s ... rings.html
Coilover Sleeve/quantity 2/A1-12452-H/ http://www.a1racing.com/A1_Racing_Produ ... leeve.aspx (measure your strut housing first - my aftermarket strut housings were not this dimension so I had to do lots of grinding/sanding to get them to fit)
Coilover nut/quantity 2/A1-12460/ http://shop.a1racing.com/index.asp?Page ... rodID=1744
Take up spring/quantity 2/HYPCS100/ http://www.a1racing.com/HYPERCO-Take-Up-Spring.aspx
Coil Spring Floater/quantity 2/A1-12487/ http://www.a1racing.com/Coil_Spring_Floater.aspx
2.5" Torrington bearing/quantity 2 - I bought a multipack of these for like $20 from a bearing supply store, you can get them from ebay and the like
Pillowball mounts/quantity 2/ask for gold blocks with bearings from https://technotoytuning.com/
Swivel hats/quantity 2/ask for swivel hats for 2.5" ID springs from https://technotoytuning.com/
Custom bushing/quantity 2/ measure your insert and get some made at a machine shop or order from https://www.mcmaster.com/#unthreaded-spacers/=1dr7ux4
Custom camber plates/quantity 2
Some thin metal to use as a perch for the coilover sleeve to rest on (I used large washers that were close to the diameter of the strut tube, needed some reaming to slide over the tube, and welded them in place).
Adapter or sleeve for the insert to fit snugly inside the strut housing (some use exhaust tubing)

Exploded view of parts *please note: the stepped bushing to the left of the camber plate was not used in the final assembly*:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TKbacFR6xDQ6Kcgz8
Welding complete:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/jvGuRZhoHjuGvCmR6
Painted housings:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/FLza6xhyWrbHZg7X6
Assembled pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/a9Y2hazKmnQwBxAfA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f8hrWYjibTMA5Nfz7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HgvkMiQHRDaVV7R26


Geoff
95 Z26 Turbo 3400 5spd - R&D Project
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DanteGTZ
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by DanteGTZ »

Woot! I was going to build a set for myself but then I just decided to steal the coilovers off another car in my garage. ;)


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Previous Berettas: 90 GT, 93 Quasar GTZ, 93 Garnet GTZ, 93 Aqua GT
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banzai92gt
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by banzai92gt »

Would something like this kit help with not needing to buy a ton of individual parts?

https://technotoytuning.com/toyota/ae70 ... 70-corolla


1995 Z26 - 3500 5spd TURBO
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heavywoody
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by heavywoody »

Possibly, but you need to get measurements and take measurements to make sure it all would fit for our application.


Geoff
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Alxsmt
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by Alxsmt »

coilovers!!

banzai92gt - sorta. email them with the correct dimentions and they will put together a "kit" for you just like that. I have done it with a few different cars now. Very good people to work with!


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88 Beretta CL - your average grandma car.. Ls1 swap in progress
77 Celica - needs an engine swap
96 Geo - 1.0L, Cam, 3 angle, magnaflow, Koni, coilovers.
86 Subi - Supercharged @7psi
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banzai92gt
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by banzai92gt »

Alxsmt wrote:coilovers!!

banzai92gt - sorta. email them with the correct dimentions and they will put together a "kit" for you just like that. I have done it with a few different cars now. Very good people to work with!
dimensions being the diameter of the strut?


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Alxsmt
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by Alxsmt »

yes the outside diameter for the sleeve and all that. Only need the inside if your doing koni 8611 or 8610, or looking for new strut insert options in general.


Image
88 Beretta CL - your average grandma car.. Ls1 swap in progress
77 Celica - needs an engine swap
96 Geo - 1.0L, Cam, 3 angle, magnaflow, Koni, coilovers.
86 Subi - Supercharged @7psi
aurolio
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by aurolio »

How's ride quality with coilovers on the front? I'm considering this kind of upgrade.


Alxsmt
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by Alxsmt »

Little late by a few years... I was running 600# springs all around wouldn't hesitate to daily it (if I still that setup). My daily currently has really high spring rates with koni yellows, Its my preference I guess. Others may hate it..


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88 Beretta CL - your average grandma car.. Ls1 swap in progress
77 Celica - needs an engine swap
96 Geo - 1.0L, Cam, 3 angle, magnaflow, Koni, coilovers.
86 Subi - Supercharged @7psi
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woody90gtz
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by woody90gtz »

Wow! I was planning on 250lb springs. I found a part number chart somewhere that spec'd the factory z26 springs at 140.


91 "SS" - WOT 3400/5spd - 13.29@101.6 - World's fastest N/A FWD Beretta
96 "T56" LS/6spd/8.8 RWD swap - 13.45@104.7 lol
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AndreyTsernov
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Re: How to make coilovers - with options

Post by AndreyTsernov »

I am also interested in this topic


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