19 replies to this topic

[Liam S]

Has anyone had any experience with fitting these shocks to LH-LX Torana and if so, any feedback or things need to look out for? Are there any better options that don’t require “modification” to fit (unsure what mods Rodshop meant).


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[horsepowerhowie]

Got a custom front end from Southern chassis work (curlys) and so far they seem pretty good.

Give him a call and he can give you the yay or nay what's up with them.

[rexy]

Is this for front or rear?

[Liam S]

Is this for front or rear?

Either/both? I’ve been reading several threads and the only main benefit seems to be ride height adjustment. Not particularly any better than a coil spring and Shock Absorber OEM fitment?

I would still love to investigate options in using coil overs in lieu of the multi pieces standard.


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[ls2lxhatch]

Check the spring rate used on the front coilover shocks. Most of the conversions I have see are running 250 - 350 lb/in springs.

 

If the coilover shock is mounted in the same position as the factory shock then the spring rate should be similar to spring rates used with the factory suspension.

 

Lovells Standard Torana Springs
Standard 6 cyl spring 590 lb/in
Standard V8 spring 760 lb/in

 

V8 Track cars run 820 – 1000 lb/in

 

 

[Liam S]

Check the spring rate used on the front coilover shocks. Most of the conversions I have see are running 250 - 350 lb/in springs.

If the coilover shock is mounted in the same position as the factory shock then the spring rate should be similar to spring rates used with the factory suspension.

Lovells Standard Torana Springs
Standard 6 cyl spring 590 lb/in
Standard V8 spring 760 lb/in

V8 Track cars run 820 – 1000 lb/in

So I need to find similar springs to approximately 800 lb/in to use on a Coilover and adapt to suit the factory arms and how much should they be for rears?


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[rexy]

I cant imagine the rear factory lower shock mount is up to handling the extra load of the spring?

[Heath]

People have done it before, but it's not something I would recommend. It certainly is not designed for those loads.

 

And terrible for wheel clearance.

[Liam S]

Thanks gents, so rears are not viable without considerable modifications. So then that leaves the fronts so with minor modifications, a Coilover shock with a 800lb/in spring fitted with a modified lowered mounting on LCA.

Alternatively a fairly good aftermarket (bigger body) shock, with good springs and bushes are just as good?


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[hanra]

Sounds like a heck of a lot of ginning around?
What is the gain from this type of suspension?

[neglectedtorana]

I don't know anything about these, just found them when googling.

Cheap kit price which could mean it's just cheap

https://www.performa.../holden/torana/

[Liam S]

Sounds like a heck of a lot of ginning around?
What is the gain from this type of suspension?

Definitely one of my questions too Brad.


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[hanra]

Might be something for people with “Glossy Magazine Syndrome”?

[Liam S]

Might be something for people with “Glossy Magazine Syndrome”?

I’d assume the benefits of Coilover Suspension in modern cars is quite well documented, I would like to know if it is that beneficial converting from current suspension. Cost vs impact.


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[Bruiser]

The convenient adjustability would be the only advantage I can see, for ride height and corner weighting.
Would have to choose the right spring set firstly, or buy several sets to get it right, but that’s no different
to leaving the current layout as is and improving on that.
Spend more, get the ones with the shock adjustment, more again get the bump AND rebound shock adjustment.
Adjustable everything
The sky’s the limit
I suppose you could potentially have it fine tuned to perfection, and it would be easier to zero in on your ultimate preferred setup
having the adjustability, instead of swapping parts over and over
but you’d have to know what you’re doing, or spend up once getting it set by a specialist.
For mine, I’d probably never touch it again after that, plus changing the front height would need a wheel alignment every time,
but it’s a road car and if it ever sees a track it is what it is
Once set right, it would have to perform great, but unless it’s a serious track car with a suspension engineer
on your team tuning it to each track to gain those precious tenths per lap
Is it necessary?
Not to mention the advice above from the guys who know their way around the underside of a torana pointing out
the practicalities of installing it
I’m not sure it would work any better than a very well chosen proven original style package, if the wishbone/ trailing arm
Pivot points and geometry all stays the same.
Someone here might share a spring/shock combo that they are happy with that suits you just right.

A suspension workshop full of rally cars, or a rally team mechanic (who isn’t trying to sell you anything)
could probably shed the most light on all of this
They could set our cars to corner flat, pound through shitty dirt roads at speed and
land softly like a cat after going over jumps
They’d have to really know their stuff
Good luck mate

[hanra]

What is the benefit in modern cars?

[Bruiser]

Would there be many cars that have it fitted from the factory besides your lotus7 or caterham type sports cars?

[Liam S]

So what are our best options for LX Torana for adjustable shocks? And springs? In factory configurations?


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[myss427]

I have the QA1 version, and do not even get close to those loads spring sizes, totally different way they calculate them as the spring is much narrower than a standard style and shorter. mine are 10 inch long at 250lbs with an alloy big block chev, very similar weight to an iron head version 308. Have heaps of adjustment with those, tried the 350lbs and it was a 4 wheel drive!

[ozyozyozy]

There are options for proper adjustable shocks but finding the right person to deal with is the hard part.
There are a couple of shock companies that could prob custom make, MCA, racing shocks australia but what are you hoping to achieve? The hassle and money may not be worth it, specially for a car that’s just street driven, can be looking at, approx $600 and up for ea corner.
There are def benefits of using for the track, as things like custom rate springs for the factory locations can be very difficult to get.
Set of bilsteins and the right off the shelf springs, power steer and the right wheel align(not just set to in the green, someone who really knows what they are doing) can make the car really wake up and is prob good enough for most.