Advanced Suspension Mods

[jplebourveau]

He took the easy way out and bought my car. lol. Him and his wife love the car so much and they send me pictures of it weekly. I think she drives it more than he does, lol. I would definitely recommend building a car like Tweak. In fact, I miss it so much I'm building another one.

Ah, that's so cool. I was drooling for 36 pages reading and learning about all the mods. Would you be interested in building or buying double and selling those parts to me? I don't want to learn how to do all the amazing things you're doing. I just want to reap the benefits of your passion. Hahaha. My '90 L is bone stock as it stands and in pretty good condition.

[Advancedynamix]

Ah, that's so cool. I was drooling for 36 pages reading and learning about all the mods. Would you be interested in building or buying double and selling those parts to me? I don't want to learn how to do all the amazing things you're doing. I just want to reap the benefits of your passion. Hahaha. My '90 L is bone stock as it stands and in pretty good condition.

It would probably be more cost effective and faster to have the parts modified by a local fabricator.

[TominMO]

He took the easy way out and bought my car. lol. Him and his wife love the car so much and they send me pictures of it weekly. I think she drives it more than he does, lol. I would definitely recommend building a car like Tweak. In fact, I miss it so much I'm building another one.

Son of Tweak?

[Advancedynamix]

Well, Tweak was a compromise between track toy and street car. It was at a place where modifications in either direction would effect the other. The perfect balance. My goal now is to have twins. One for the street and one for the track. That way the compromises will be less of an issue.
There is a song by Paranoid social club that explains what I'm talking about. The title is "Two Girls".

[TominMO]

Well, Tweak was a compromise between track toy and street car. It was at a place where modifications in either direction would effect the other. The perfect balance. My goal now is to have twins. One for the street and one for the track. That way the compromises will be less of an issue.

Sort of a Dr. Tweakle and Mr. Hyde scenario. :-) Curious about what spring rates you will go with for each car.

[TominMO]

Spelling correction: Dr. Tweakyll.

[TominMO]

Charlie, what do you think of Sachs struts/shocks vs. the KYB GR-2/Excel-G? I went to Rock Auto and checked the little Euro flag to find parts for the Mazda 121 and it shows the Sachs as an upgrade strut. Fronts are $77 for left and $99 for right. For the rear, it lists a Monroe for $79 as the upgrade strut.

Left front strut: http://www.autoteiledirekt.de/sachs-1220508.html

Rear strut pic if I can find it, hold on....rats, couldn't.

[Advancedynamix]

Sorry I didn't see this question earlier Tom. I like Sachs dampers, but find that anything meant for the Festiva/aspire front is to loose on the rebound dampening. This is a big reason why these cars feel cheap and a little top heavy. Stiffen up that front rebound dampening and you'd swear you just traded up to a solid German build. That is one of the major reasons I choose the VW coilovers, they are dirt cheap ( now 270 bucks a set!) and come with much better valving. The cartridges in the coilovers is also replaceable ( though I've yet to see one go bad) so they can be rebuilt and upgraded with bilstein or Koni dampers.

Back to your question though, Sachs typically makes a quality product.

[gergorian]

That is one of the major reasons I choose the VW coilovers, they are dirt cheap ( now 270 bucks a set!) and come with much better valving. The cartridges in the coilovers is also replaceable ( though I've yet to see one go bad) so they can be rebuilt and upgraded with bilstein or Koni dampers.

I assume that price is on ebay. If I bought the $270 cheap set on ebay would they have the replaceable inserts like the racelands?

[Advancedynamix]

Yes, eBay and yes, the inserts are replaceable. The "gland nut" that holds the insert in the body is different though. I have made all the tools necessary to disassemble all these types of coilovers. I've found that the cheap ones that are silver or yellow zinc coated are actually of higher quality than the RaceLands. The brand names keep changing, but they are all made in the same factories. I've built nearly 20 sets of these now.

[Advancedynamix]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/151380830285?nav=SEARCH

In fact, looking at these ones leads me to believe they are identical to the RaceLands I used to make the original front shocks in the first few pages of this thread. The only difference I see is that the adjuster nuts are clear anodized rather than black. Not a big deal.

[nitrofarm]

Charlie what dia are those ?

[Advancedynamix]

I only use the front shocks, and they come with 60mm springs, but I use 2.5" springs on them. They are a smidge loose on the hat and adjuster, but I haven't noticed a problem.

I haven't seen a post from you in awhile Thomas, good to hear from ya buddy!

[nitrofarm]

Ahh thanks Charlie, Ive been really busy at my new job learning the ins & outs of CNC maintenance.

[Advancedynamix]

Just get good with the PH of the coolant. Nothing worse than rotten coolant.