front suspension

[MACOBRA]

Guys!

I need help. I have a Old CR and have no idea what to due to upgrade the front suspension. I attempted to put a coil over system in and the guy who did it cut the top of the spring to make it fit. This created its own set of issues.

What springs and shocks do you guys use with a CR. Any information would be helpful.

Thanks!
macobra.

Rears are next on the list as well!

[jdean]

Macobra,

Don sells a kit, I think Carrera. QA1 makes a nice adjustable rate shock one also. You can order different spring rates, so there should be no need to cut the springs.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/p/182,...Over-Kits.html

I did have to make a 2" spacer since on the CR there is the welded bracket that extends the shock tower mount where the upper shock bolts on.

[Art Burtt]

Don's kit comes with the necessary spacers, it took me all of ten minutes to install both sides

[tcrist]

Art,
You must have been lucky. The kit I ordered was so messed up that I had to ream the tubes where the front lower shock bolts up just to get the bolts thru both tubes (looks like they pulled when welded) and cut spacers to put between the shocks and lower control arm tubes. On the rear end I had to fabricate spacers (the shocks hit the Alum billit spacer)and buy shorter bolts because the bolts that came with the kit were about 6" long. They are on now but for the price that I paid for the coil overs and control arms, they should of just bolted right up. Wouldn't have been to big of a deal if there were some instructions shipped with the coil over kit but I had to figure everything out on my own. Good luck MACOBRA.

[MACOBRA]

Thanks for the responces guys but, That is the kit I bought. The springs were two big for the front and the yahoo cut the tops off so they sat at a angle and bound up. The rears top mount is weak, and beginning to bend.

I am a weekend mechanic and would like a professional opinion. Guys the car is nearly perfect. I just want a good/safe suspension under it.

Macobra(Stuart)

[jdean]

Stuart, would this be fixed if you chunked the cut springs and bought the correct size to put on? I am not sure I know why these were too big, and where. Do you mean too big physically or too stiff? The ones in the kit fit as they come.

[MACOBRA]

I don't know, its starting to get me frustrated as hell!

I have a friend (built a very nice FFR) working with me now and we are looking for the right size springs. I can't find out what size to use. We are now throwing around all types of ideas.

The springs that came with the kit fit after the yahoo cut appriximately two inches off the height. This left the spring sitting wrong. I don't know if he was just trying to cut corners or that they were the right springs and he was to lazy to put them in correctly. (Yes!, I know I was a fool for trusting this guy, He came highly recomended, and built about 12 FFRs)

Do you guys mind taking some photos of your set ups so I have something to assist me. Also how does your cobra ride? Is it stiff or smooth. I don't race her and I love open roads. Smooth is nice!

Guys, I can't say how much I appreciate the help!!!!!

[Smitty1]

I've been trying to help Stu with his Front Suspension woes. Here is the thing. First I'm not a huge fan of a Mustang II type susupension in a Cobra, but if we can get the parts to work GREAT!!! Someone in the past has cut the tapered Barrel springs ....why they did it we do not know. I am trying to determine what the uninstalled spring height should be. Also if could let us know what spring rate you are running, and how you like it that would be very helpful. If we do purchase a new set of the tapered barrel Springs I'm currently leaning toward the 500 Lb springs. I am already commited to fabricating a New lower shock mount that will do away with the LOOOOONG shock bolt and spacers. If at time we can get the front end working the way it should, IE the lower arm parallel to the ground and the tie rods ends where they should be, GREAT!!!! If not and I'm thinking about changing the top shock mount from the stud type to a joint type mount, loseing the taper barrel spring and going with a more traditional non tapered coil over set-up to get him on the road. Any help you can offer on this tapered Barrel set up is appriciated.

[G.R.]

Save yourself the hassle replace the upper A-Arms(Lowers too if you want)and go with adjustable coilovers.
You might Want to check out SpeedwayMotors.com they sell a full range of MII front suspension parts.
The stock MII tapered springs will never lower the front end of a replica to the desired height, if you used dropped front axles you might get there.
The ride with the coilovers will be harsher but these cars do not necessarrily give the ride of a family coupe.

[dscott]

I use the ProShock setup on the car and it works great. For a small block you need the 8" 375lb spring. The part number is 8SR375. The shocks on the CR are not MII. We use a longer shock for extra travel. The shock to order for the coilover setup is the ASB550SR. The coilover kit for that shock and spring is part# C-385. These are the correct length, oil filled, and light valved. They need to be ordered with the S-576 stud mount. I use a bearing on the bottom, part # B210, and the B211 snap ring. You will need spacers for the lower mount to go between the mounting points. The part # is S-100. They may need to be trimmed to fit. I would order tubular lower arms for coilovers. These shocks are adjustable for the ride height and will give a good ride. If you go with another brand of shock you need 4" of extra travel. I would use the cone spring with any other brand. The coilovers with the spring attached at the top of the shock will not clear properly without some modification.
Don

[MACOBRA]

Thank You Don!

That should help!

I was going to call you on Tuesday. I think the springs I got the first time were too large. I think it will work if I get the right spring rate and height.

The rears need to be address aswell. The top mounts are bending slightly. It seems like a week set up. If you guys have rear info I would appreciate that aswell.

Thanks guys!!

One of the last major items left on the long list I have addressed over the past 4 years.

Stuart

[Smitty1]

Well that explains alot. What is in there now is a spring that was cut to a
9" uninstalled height....You can't start with a 8" spring and cut it to get a 9" spring. I dont Know what the current springs rate is...but I'd have to guess somewhere over 500 Lbs. The shock in it is actually a Carrera. I really dont think they are going to work very well with a 8" spring (they seem too long) so it looks like a new Pro Shock Coil Over kit is the answer. Thanks.

[jdean]

I am running a "heavy" BBF, I have more than 100 lbs. more engine weight than the typical SBF, and I dont even need the 500 lb. springs on the CR.

[Smitty1]

Thats for all of the intel guys. Just a couple more things and I think we'll be all set.
1)Once the correct shocks and springs are in...What should the ride height be set at, and where exactly should I take the ride height measurments from?
2)What should the Alignment Specs be with the car at the correct ride height?

[dscott]

The ride height is really up to you but I generally can get 2 fingers between the tire and the fender lip which is about 1.5" The alignment specs are in the manual on the last page under final details. The specs are:
Caster 3.75 degree +or- .5 degree
Camber 3/8 degree +or- 1/8 degree
Toe-in .03 to .06 (1/32 to 2/32)
Don

[TC Cobra]

Hi Don!

I should know this but just to clarify...
Are the Caster/Camber specs + or - ?

Thanks!
Dwain

[Clois Harlan]

This is a general Alignment Spec's:


Front Suspension
Do It Yourself Alignment Article, click here

Front End Alignment Specs:

(GL) "Align it to 1 degree neg camber, 4 degrees pos caster, 0 toe. I am assuming you are using 17" tires. Tire pressures should be 23psi front and 27psi rear on a good gauge." - Solid axle car.

[FFR]:

Street Car:
3 degree caster : -1/2 degree camber : 1/16th degree total toe in.
Coupe and IRS Street Cars:
Front: Caster 3 : Camber -1 : Toe 1/16" Total
Rear: Camber -1 : Toe 1/16" Total

[dscott]

The caster camber is -.
Don

[MACOBRA]

Thanks again!!

Stuart

[JAC]

I got the coilovers and tubular kit for mine. Had to cut out about 1 1/2" from the cross member to get the lowers to clear. No spacers came with, made some. bolt was way too long for the lower shock mount. Upper arms rubbed on the edge of the top mounting plate, slots not centered. Bolts that came in the box with the rear shocks were 1/2" too short. the coilovers fit good once everything was fixed. Good luck with the car and enjoy. Pics in my gallery.