Coilovers on the Rear...

[Nick]

Right, I've seen and heard multiple opinions and ways of modifying the rear inner/arch strut tops for accepting coilovers.

Is it just a case of a small amount of light hammering to clear the Spring seat ?

Surely there is now more stress on the strut mounting area that before, as the original spring position will take some load ?

Nick

[Adam]

It does put a lot more stress on the car/rear beam damper mounting point, as they now take the weight of the car.
Whereas before the spring seats on the beam/chassis leg took the weight.

[Nick]

That's what i was thinking.... so what's the Alternative ? Turret the Rears ?

[Lee]

Is your car stripped out? If so, stich welding around the turret should do the trick.

if your still running interior, seam welding and some strengthening plates may be required.

[Nick]

hmm interesting... I'l have to look into it a bit more.

I'm guessing turreting is an extreme fix ?

[craig green]

In many cases it will clear, for other cases a few whacks with a persuading tool will sort the clearance, however turreting the rear obviously creates loads of room & enables the rear end to be welded up for max strength.

The main concern is to reinforce the damper mounts on the beam. I have seen cars that have split the rear turrets apart, even on regular spring & seperate damper arrangements.

Choice is yours.

[Nick]

Well i want to do it properly..

Any examples of strengthening around the damper mounts ?

[nova ian]

This is how i'm doing mine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/cruisindude/nova/12052007183.jpg

And then stich welding the seam on the inside too, Not done that yet s not got a pic of inside complete!

Hope it helps

[Nick]

Ahh ok, so just a case of the standard Stitch Treatment ! Cool

I'l take that pic down to a local place and see what they think !

Thanks

[craig green]

This is how I had mine done.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/turbocraig/NovaGSi-WIP_pics/Turret_1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/turbocraig/NovaGSi-WIP_pics/Turret_4.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/turbocraig/NovaGSi-WIP_pics/GSi_build005.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c323/turbocraig/NovaGSi-WIP_pics/STA40593.jpg

[CP]

Clearance issue: this varies from car to car and the type of coilover you are fitting. The cars all vary to some degree with exactly how things line up relative to the body. Mine is quite a lot different to Dans for instance and from 1 side of the car to another. Best is to try fitting and then see what gives. Dont forget to lower the car fully down as the springs move away from the inner arch as the car lowers - a mistake i made cos i didnt realise itlol . To actually get enough clearance you might get away with a few smacks of a large hammer otherwise its cut and weld.
Strengthening: If the car is stripped out and you aren't rallying it,it will be so light that you can get away without any special strengthening around the rear turrets but you will need a good roll cage or strut brace to firm the area up.
If its not stripped out you will need to maybe plate and/or stitch weld in the area
IMO:D

[matthew172]

were do you buy the turrets from craig or is it a diy fabrication job?

[tony k]

you can get the turrets from rallydesign there escort ones

[shanemc]

craig does that not weaken the chassis because of cutting right through the leg to allow for the turret?

[MARTIN KELSON]

What are the best shox to use to give best clearance then?
Would like to give this a go on mine but dont really want to re-spray all the inside unless i can help it.

Cheers

[Aamir]

Just fitted some custom made coillies from GAZ with 1.9" id springs, absolutely no clearance problems at all, No bashing, no modding ! :D :D

[tom_beverley]

I'm turreting the rear of mine as it gives the best strength and clearance possible, fair enough if you want to hammer the arch in but I consider turreting to be the proper way of doing it. I bought the Escort std type side mounting ones from raldes.

I bought some rear Gaz coilovers 17" length with 200lb springs. Look tons better than my front AVO ones, still yet to drive with them yet though :( I got them from an ebay seller for ?150 including P+P and they were were with me the next day following payment! PM me if you want his contact details...

[craig green]

My Dad made my Turrets for me. It shouldnt weaken the shell or chassis legs as the turret is welded back in & fold over tabs were added within the wheel arch to tie it all together nicely.

Main reason for doing it was because my shell was so rusty in the rear chassis legs anyway.

[Rick Draper]

If anyone wants some rear turrets i have a pair from rally design that i never used.

[Aamir]

What are the best shox to use to give best clearance then?
Would like to give this a go on mine but dont really want to re-spray all the inside unless i can help it.

Cheers

PM sent buddy ;)

[Lee H]

PM sent buddy ;)

Can you let me know what you ordered too please as I would like to get rid of the Avo tat off the rear of mine.

[leebo]

Hey, im currenty restoring my nova and will be fitting coilovers but would like to know where they effect the car so i can look about fixin the problem now instead of later? Or do you think its not worth worrying about? Cheers lee

[craig green]

Affect? What?

All the answers are in this thread tbh. At the very least reinforce the damper mounts on the beam & I'd suggest seam welding the rear wheel houses. Ideally turret it, if you can be bothered.

[leebo]

I have seam welded round the rear arch but what i havent picked up on is what part i mite have to hit with a hammer to fit coilovers. I dont want to do this cause iv went to the bother of seam welding the bay and and fitting a strengthning kit and removing and replacing anything that was bad or rotton on the car. Its my road car but i do intend on doing track days so dont want to turn and hit it with a hammer. Is it at the top of the inner arch where the problem happenes? Sorry for soundin so thick about. Cheers lee

[MARTIN KELSON]

I've ordered some coilovers today from Gaz.
Brian at Gaz assured me they WILL fit straight on. Will let you know in about 3 weeks when they arrive.
I got drawings sent to me and took rear wheel off last night and to be honest i will be really surprised if they will fit.

[Rick Draper]

Martin the ones from gaz will fit. But you will struggle to run it low at the back. I have been there and done that, gaz, avo etc. They all say you will be able to really lower it but then they send a shock that when extended is bloody huge and when compressed is still miles longer than a stock nova setup shock. I have asked and asked and asked for a set of shocks that are the exact same length as gaz/avo stock setup rear shocks but as coilovers but never got anywhere.

[R1CH]

As said it varys from car to car, i've got GAZ coilovers on mine the mounts aren't turreted, had to bash the inner arch a little bit to clear the spring.
I just had the seams around the mount seam welded and also added a strengthening plate / strut brace mount on either arch. Also strengthened the mount on the beam as well.
I'm running 7 x 15's on mine and theres a few mm clearance betweeb tyre & spring, had to run a 5mm spacer on one side to clear the spring but non on the other side, good'ol Nova build quality !!

[R1CH]

Aye make sure you get the correct length shocks, the first set i had were 19" open length and when you set it to a decent height on the rear it was just sitting on the stops ! ended up buying another set, think these were 15" ?? Sits spot on now tho and still has a bit of suspension travel.

[MARTIN KELSON]

With the drawings i got faxed from Gaz they seem to be the same open length to the Avo's i'am running now.
If there to long or wont fit they will go straight back!!

[craig green]

Thats the beauty of turreting too, you can use almost any length of shock & choose where the top mount is, therfore choose the ride height & how much travel is left in the shock/spring. My 15" rear wheel will go 2" up under the rear arch & still has about another 2" lowe if I want. Sounds crazy but raised up to max height, it looks like its a regular 20mm drop, ie all the wheel & some tyre visible.

[shanemc]

If anyone wants some rear turrets i have a pair from rally design that i never used.

how much?can u send me a pic of them?
thanks

Shane

[Dan 130]

shane bud he sold them i already e-mailed him