Club Cobra - Rear Conversion to Coil-Over

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Rear Conversion to Coil-Over

Discussion Tools

10-06-2013 11:03 AM - permalink

Xack

All,
I'm working through the last bits and mod's on the WCC in my garage. I have the 'design' when you jack up the frame the rear springs fall out. How handy is that? Right? Think of the time saved in changing your springs!...

For those who have rear Coil-Over suspension, Do you like it? is it too tight, too loose? Would you change it in any way?
If it does work for you or if you've recently converted what parts did you use?

I am thinking on this and so far I've heard that in order to get the right springs you need to know the weight of the rear end. Is that the weight on each tire? or is that between both of them? Does anyone have any insight?

Thanks in advance
Xack

10-13-2013 05:05 AM - permalink

BAsque1

Hi Xack:
I am changing shocks but I have heard that coil over would be kind of tight, I really don't need the coil over for I do not race this car. That said I think my Koni shocks are a bit weak and they bottom out at times. I have the same condition when I lift the car enough the springs loosen up. That is convenient. By the way I am installing Bilsteins.
Regards
Lou

10-15-2013 09:22 PM - permalink

Xack

I think I saw in your photos that you have a retainer to hold your springs down.

10-19-2013 09:01 AM - permalink

BOBOCobra

I am going to look at fabricating a retainer to keep the compressed a bit or short 3 post guide so they will at least center the spring and I dont have to guide them on each time I drop the car. That is a winter project but will post once I figure it out.

05-14-2014 01:14 PM - permalink

Dirkdaddy

Sounds like a shorter extended length shock would help a lot here to keep the rear end from over-extending for the spring. That would be bad to go over a rail road track or rise in the road and have the spring fall out! Anyone know the specs on the shocks that are on the later model WCC (ours is 07)? I can figure it out but thought Xack might know. Xack, the rating of the spring is for that one spring, so the weight of the rear of the car would be divided by 1/2, and you can also add in a bit for driver/passengers, especially if they are big folks. You can figure out the amount of sag by the weight and rating of the spring to compress 1". Since the mounting of the shock is pretty much right on the axle, no need to worry about leverage ratios and all that. Did you get it done or not yet?

05-14-2014 03:01 PM - permalink

Xack

Not yet! I'm working on front suspension parts, Wilwood brake conversion and front shocks right now. However, I've not got anything on these parts yet. I want to replace the front lower arms (welded up parts from Vern's garage) but don't know what parts I need to keep the Mustang II spindles in correct alignment. I'll take a look at the rear springs when I'm ready to do some more serious longer distance driving. Until then I'll keep my foot out of it on the local streets around the house. The Duke boys would be ashamed of me.

Does your WCC have coil-overs or the separate coil springs?

06-19-2014 02:13 PM - permalink

Dirkdaddy

Mine has coil over front end.
I have a castor/camber gauge from a racing supply place, just got it recently and haven't used it. but you'd use that or take to a shop to get a reading of what you have now, then you can always go back to that. Unless you are racing I would not do a lot of negative camber and all that. for street I'd guess the starting place is what you have now. Many hotrods use "welded up parts" and work pretty well, I mean these are not as sophsticated as a modern production car in terms of suspension.
I'm curious about your Wilwood conversion, I have a guy I touched base with here who deals in Wilwood brakes and says he has everything. I'm just getting other stuff straight for now. Just noticed that while the car has AC compressor and controls, it has capped off hoses and no condenser!

07-09-2014 12:09 PM - permalink

Cobraqcca

Hi Guys -
Vern originally offered REAR coil overs as an option. They fit fine!! The problem you would have is the top bracket for the shock is not strong enough to support the full weight of the rear of the vehicle if you use the coil over. See here... West Coast Chassis Rear Suspension

You would need this type of top bracket to ensure a strong & safe attachment!

I used SSBC brakes all around the front calliper is #A185bk(bk for Black in my case) Front Discs are 23059AA3L & R. I used a different set up in the back than original but I had to change the bracket to accomodate the new callipers. (let me know if you want the part #'s)
Also, if memory serves me correctly, they're available in Red and polished. Very nice quality and decent pricing! Great guys to work with.

07-12-2014 04:50 AM - permalink

BAsque1

Regarding this thread:
I have installed the Bilsteins shocks front and back and they are great, I really think that if I install the coil overs it would be an overkill, but that is just me. The front are Mustang II suspension, I can get the part #s if anyone is interested.
Regards
Lou

07-13-2014 09:33 AM - permalink

cycleguy55

My WCC has a steel strap roughly 1.5" wide bolted to frame under each side of the rear axle. When I jack the car up the rear axle rests on these straps, preventing it from dropping too far and releasing the coil springs. I just got the car 2 days ago and it's not licensed yet, so I can't comment on how these work 'in the real world', but they could be a solution for some.

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