LQ4 into a 3rd Gen/1972 Nova
01-02-2013, 06:31 PM
#1162
Thought about starting the DSE minitub install today. Got as far as unwrapping the tubs, haha. They're very nice pieces. It goes to show you the level of quality of a company like DSE, when they'll go ahead and open the [large & expensive] steel stamping tooling that would allow their product to be that much closer to OEM-quality...
I didn't feel like cutting, so instead moved onto the front suspension. Before I start jigging together some new tie-rod/steering-arm bumpsteer setup, I need to measure what my bump steer is currently.
Before I can do that, I need to mockup the new Ridetech coilovers to figure where my max bump (bottom out) and ride height are, as they have 1.25" less stroke than the QA1's they replacing, however have a longer overall body (new 3.625" shock travel vs. QA's 4.875" shock travel, also FYI the leverage ratio of a stock arm is ~ 16:9 or 1.78" of wheel travel to 1" of shock travel).
Lower bearing eyelet as measured from where stud bushing would be contacting the shock support on the subframe..
The QA1's had a standard rubber bushing/stud arrangement like a stock shock or sway bar end, but the Ridetechs have this neat spherical plastic 2-piece setup..
Mocked in there..
At full compression, the control arm has about another 0.75" at the shock that it could compress before the LCA's bump stop is even contacted, as well as the rim lip is just barely tucked at current full compression.
The tall upper aluminum spacer (as seen in the disassembly pic) can be purchased in a lower height to reduce the stud-bushing-to-lower-bearing length, without reducing stroke, however since the supper coil perch would be raised relative to the shock mounting point on the subframe, I'd have to cut out the stock spring perch on the subframe to gain clearance for the Ridetech's coil to partially pass thru the subframe, and I think too much cutting would need to happen and it would compromise the upper perch's strength. Plus I just don't want to have to cut a lot on the frame, too awkward and messy.
What I plan to do is switch the trunion-style lower shock mount over to a double shear bolt setup, so I'll grind out some clearance on the LCA to allow the coil body to pass thru, and then weld on two L-tabs on the bottom side of the LCA's spring pocket, at a lower height to lower the front a bit.
I didn't feel like cutting, so instead moved onto the front suspension. Before I start jigging together some new tie-rod/steering-arm bumpsteer setup, I need to measure what my bump steer is currently.
Before I can do that, I need to mockup the new Ridetech coilovers to figure where my max bump (bottom out) and ride height are, as they have 1.25" less stroke than the QA1's they replacing, however have a longer overall body (new 3.625" shock travel vs. QA's 4.875" shock travel, also FYI the leverage ratio of a stock arm is ~ 16:9 or 1.78" of wheel travel to 1" of shock travel).
Lower bearing eyelet as measured from where stud bushing would be contacting the shock support on the subframe..
The QA1's had a standard rubber bushing/stud arrangement like a stock shock or sway bar end, but the Ridetechs have this neat spherical plastic 2-piece setup..
Mocked in there..
At full compression, the control arm has about another 0.75" at the shock that it could compress before the LCA's bump stop is even contacted, as well as the rim lip is just barely tucked at current full compression.
The tall upper aluminum spacer (as seen in the disassembly pic) can be purchased in a lower height to reduce the stud-bushing-to-lower-bearing length, without reducing stroke, however since the supper coil perch would be raised relative to the shock mounting point on the subframe, I'd have to cut out the stock spring perch on the subframe to gain clearance for the Ridetech's coil to partially pass thru the subframe, and I think too much cutting would need to happen and it would compromise the upper perch's strength. Plus I just don't want to have to cut a lot on the frame, too awkward and messy.
What I plan to do is switch the trunion-style lower shock mount over to a double shear bolt setup, so I'll grind out some clearance on the LCA to allow the coil body to pass thru, and then weld on two L-tabs on the bottom side of the LCA's spring pocket, at a lower height to lower the front a bit.
01-08-2013, 11:48 PM
#1163
Not a car update but thought I'd share a side project I've been tinkering with over the holidays. I like drinking beer. And shifting gears. Why not combine the two (legally)? Besides, prettymuch none of my friends know what the inside of a trans looks like.
01-09-2013, 02:38 PM
#1165
Man those Ride Tech shocks looks niiiiiice. I may need to rethink my setup. Do those use the upper spring pocket & 4" (or is it 4.5") springs?
I like what you did with the tranny but you have way too much time on your hands now that the car is running.
I like what you did with the tranny but you have way too much time on your hands now that the car is running.
Last edited by -TheBandit-; 01-09-2013 at 02:49 PM.
01-09-2013, 04:07 PM
#1168
******* cops, yeah we have cops too many to be exact. Lol I know you were talking about the S/C 5.4, I haven't seen any in North Carolina. Most of our State Troopers are riding around in AWD V8 Dodge Chargers. I usually only see the Crown Vics locally. Next time I swing by the doughnut shop I will take a look for the S/C badging. I thought you guys cops rode horses, weird!
Last edited by tsnow678; 01-09-2013 at 04:12 PM.
01-09-2013, 04:12 PM
#1169
Badass shocks for sure! I like the bike, I had a Yamaha 400 Special many moons back. I had a 1973 Suzuki GT 185 two stroke as well. It even had disc brakes up front. Pinned it would only run 81mph. Of course my bicycle had wider tires so 81 was fast enough. I say swap out a modern engine off of say an FZR and turbo it. Make a cafe' out of her.
01-09-2013, 05:04 PM
#1170
I had no idea that they even crammed that S/C 5.4L into those Crown Vics.. even for a heavy fullframe car that thing must go well on the highway..
I'm not going to go full cafe racer on it, not sure I like that hipster style. I'm going to go for more of an upright scrambler/brat/bobber style. I have still yet to find a single build of any-make twin that captures what I have in my head, but elements of these are along the lines of what I'm going for...
I'm not going to go full cafe racer on it, not sure I like that hipster style. I'm going to go for more of an upright scrambler/brat/bobber style. I have still yet to find a single build of any-make twin that captures what I have in my head, but elements of these are along the lines of what I'm going for...
01-10-2013, 10:50 AM
#1173
I like the cafe look. Sadly, the old lady said I couldn't have a bike until I get the damn student loans paid off.
Found a couple helmets that would be perfect (sadly, not snell rated, otherwise I'd have one):
Diesel Mowie
Diesel Hi-Jack
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I rather prefer the Mowie. Also, I'm a huge fan of triumphs (the bikes, not the cars). A TR6R would be juuuuust about perfect, though that bonneville you posted is quite sexy.
Found a couple helmets that would be perfect (sadly, not snell rated, otherwise I'd have one):
Diesel Mowie
Diesel Hi-Jack
I rather prefer the Mowie. Also, I'm a huge fan of triumphs (the bikes, not the cars). A TR6R would be juuuuust about perfect, though that bonneville you posted is quite sexy.
Last edited by hookemdevils22; 01-18-2013 at 10:15 AM. Reason: make Hi-Jack pic smaller
01-10-2013, 10:59 AM
#1174
Wow you guys are really hammering away at the military look eh? Haha. I kindof like that Hi-Jack helmet actually, but in all reality I'll probably just get a regular matte black or plain whatever Shoei or HJC fullface. I need to go helmet shopping to fits my oddly-large noggin.
01-18-2013, 05:16 PM
#1178
Those are 305/35/18 Nitto 555R's, 100 treadwear. My current 275/40/18 are going on the front. I'm going to have a local place that specializes in alloy rim widening & repair widen the wheels to 9.5" front and 11" rear. 11" rear will be good for these sticky 305's, or 315's in a more normal 200+ treadwear if I ever choose to have a higher wear rating..
