I'm wondering whether a steel roadster isn't actually lighter than a steel-structured fibreglass-bodied roadster? Fenders or no.
36 is right the angle changes spring rate more angle = softer a 61 vette I did weighed 2400 lbs it had 110lbs installed straight up long springs with 9" stroke shock you don't want them to bottom or top out
Maybe, although it seemed like flipping the Wescott 32 roadster body over was easier than flipping the Brookville 31 roadster body over. Seems like both bodies weigh around 200#. About seven years between the two and I ain't as strong as I once was . . . if ever. Both bodies without doors, but braced at the door openings. Turn em over on several layers of cardboard and carpet. It looks to me like you could damage the steel body if you put too much weight on it while upside down. The rear cockpit rail seems to bear the brunt of most of the weight so shim the body up to spread the weight out. With the body shimmed I had no problems doing an initial frame fit/cut etc. with the 32 frame rails and spreaders. Temporary small square tubing and angle cross rails were tacked and bolted in place as well. After that, the frame went to the frame table. Was easier for me to make minor frame changes to fit the body with the body upside down than it was to cut out a plywood pattern etc. and work right side up.
Yes, but I don't know where you could find it. Once you get that bit squared away, install the upper crush tube where it's supposed to go and - if you have room for more shock angle - install a 2nd crush tube on each side so you can move the upper mount inwards which would soften up the effective spring rate.
rod & custom magazine November 2004 , page 57 degree of mounting angle VS effective percentage of spring rate 10 degree is .96 15 degree is .93 20 degree is .88 25 degree is .82 30 degree is .75 35 degree is .65 40 degree is .59 45 degree is .50
Doesnt anyone use google anymore .. its all right here http://www.proshocks.com/calcs/anglefirst.htm There is a lot more info on this site also.. I think speedway has some info also. You will be amazed at the difference in rates per the mounting angle.. Also on my glass roadster i had 200's and it was still stiff. I did change the shock angle as the chassis builder had the shocks on too much angle. it was real soft but the springs actually hit the inside of the frame.. I think if its a roadster id go 180 or 150.. Dave
Thanks for the info. I did a search but I must have missed that. Thank you JUSJUNK. I have new springs on the way.
Hey any time...... I did a lot of research when i was changing the angle on mine and i learned a lot... I couldnt believe how far they had mine layed over.. They pretty much killed all the spring rate figures!... Of course when i got em so they wernt on so much of an angle and didnt hit the frame (i made 2 sets of brackets to get there) then it really stiffened up..All my years of building these things i really wish i had a box of coil overs all set up with spring rates from 150 to 300 just for testing.. I really believe most chassis builders are providing you with spring rates that are too stiff . Of course then there is the schoks themselves.. Its like anything else you get what you pay for.. I had P&J vipers on my coupe and once i got the rebound adjusted and tire pressure and a few miles on them they were ok. The first ride in the car i wanted to give it away On my roadster it had all americans.. they dont have any rebound adjustment.. Then there are the others that have adjustment both ways.. For a price of course.. Good Luck.. Dave
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