front adjustable coil-overs

[alfie murie]

Hi Guys, I am just about to start my winter project of beefing up the front suspension of my S1 phaeton including a new set of coil-overs. As I run with a rover V8, with the usual spitfire/herald front suspension, I was wondering what the spring poundage should be on the new coil-overs I am ordering from Dampertech. Your advice/comments will be much appreciated

[Big Vern]

Sorry Dave, as your fronts were so soft I assumed they were preloaded. Motion ratios are surprisingly similar when I compared Greg Mott's Melos vs Pete Claytons S1

Just cant believe your car is so heavy. 770kg :-o  The Melos was 672kg with 2.1 Pinto 349kg front and 323kg rear with 300lb/in fronts.

You must be draging the sump along the road over every bump :-o

[Dave Adams]

that engine weight list is a useful resource....any chance of pinning it so that it stays available for reference?

[Dave Adams]

my fronts are not preloaded..i run them at the lowest setting which just happens to be the spring length at rest. the leverage on the S1/2's is a bit different to the later S3/4's so the spring rates would be different.

I think the engines are further forward in the S3/4's as well and that will have an effect. I am pretty sure my car weights came in at 440kg front axle and 330kg rear which for a S1 is on the heavier side, but then i built it with touring in mind. my spring rates are as i have said 225lb/in fronts and 150lb/in rears (the rears were changed to 120lb/in with 2" preload (240lb)) which worked better and gave a much better driving experience.

My car handled like it has a road magnet under it, it was very sure footed. and able to take corners at high speed without sliding or rolling to much.

[Big Vern]

Not a critisism Marc simply the weights I've recorded for those engines. The P6 engine and box was, near as makes no odds, that same as stock pinto engine and box. We used pinto front springs with the rover engine. With the V6 anti roll bar, some gas dampers and 205/50x15"'s  it went like stink and handled reasonably well just didn't stop :-o

Reminds me I must weigh the Mazda BP engine at the weekend

[Big Vern]

These are my measurements taken with fully dressed engines: Rover V8 from P6 = 161kg (354lb)  My own 2.1 Pinto = 123kg (272lb) includes lightened crank and flywheel!  BMC A series from Allegro = 156kg (343lb) and Ford Essex from my old 3 litre consul GT = 199kg (438lb) 243kg with gearbox :-o

The consul GT with the P6 engine in went like stink :-)

Front spring rates depend on what engne you have, what car donated the front suspension and whether you use the front springs straight or pre-loaded.

I have a Phaeton S4 which had a Pinto in and 300lb/in worked brilliantly on the front, Dave Adams has an S1 with a Pinto in and he uses much lower spring rate + pre load which he is very happy with.

[Adrian Southgate]

Rover V8 = Buick design.

[Dave Taylor]

Lovely bit of work

[Dave Taylor]

I had one to put in my Capri many years ago, what an heavy lump that was, took it out of a MK2 Daimler in a scrap yard near Chorley. Car was on it's side half buried in mud, once we had it unbolted they had to bring the dozzer crane to lift it out. seem to remember engine and box weighed about 200 kgs

[Big Vern]

Rover V8 from a P6 is the same weight as an Austin mini power unit. and both are a bit lighter than a Pinto. As said elsewhere the Essex V6 is the Tugboat's engine and the Pinto its anchor :-)))))

[alfie murie]

Yes Pete, according to popular belief, the rover V8 is a little bit lighter than a pinto. so I've been told anyway !