Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Suspension related stuff goes in here.
joshuagore

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by joshuagore »

Tonight I finished her up. This is not to say i'm ready for a cross country trip :)
I have to tweak my exhaust, bleed the brakes yet again, to much sponge, not enough stop. I also need to nut and bolt the suspension just for good measure. I know I tightened everything up, but can you really be to sure :?:

It's been a long weekend, and another long day under the car finally ended in a drive. Although my exhaust hampered my fun, due to its sound level, I did get a few chances to test just what kind of grip could be had with the new suspension.
The results are stunning. The steering, although it has a poor alignment, turns as though the wheels were being turned directly by my hands. The car where before it felt a slight tendency to push, now it bites hard, and will loose traction on the rear before considering pushing wide. I have a slight concern with my rear spring rate being to high in comparison to my front, but only in sharp turns. That being said I do have the front sway removed, so maybe my loaded rate will be high enough up front with the swaybar installed.

Great results, now I need to finish up some loose ends. Video of handling to come as soon as the brakes are bled.
Josh
p.s. Yes I know the rear is higher than the front, I am waiting to cut a coil from the rear springs until I confirm the rate is proper. No one wants to take a cut spring in return :mrgreen:

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joshuagore

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by joshuagore »

She moves!

Tonight I finally figured out the brakes. There was a caliper problem which caused the front calipers to not be able to move freely, which caused them to flex the rotors as opposed to centering and clamping.

The suspension ended up being better than expected. Slightly oversprung in the rear, but this could be solved by re installing the front sway bar. I notice on tight turns it has a tendency to lift the inner rear.
The spring rates and dampening are surprisingly compliant considering how flat the car rides.

The brakes were hard to judge due to the poor DIY alignment. Previously the car no matter what I did had a tendancy to pull, this could have been bushing related, but it was always unsettling. She is tight now, and when the road was flat, she braked straight, and had tons of potential. It may require some bias adjustment due to the upgraded front brakes, but only at low speeds could I get the fronts to lock up before the rears seemed to bite.

Overall it feels like a refreshed car, almost more modern in feeling.

Josh
joshuagore

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by joshuagore »

I got a professional alignment, partially to ensure the car had another set of eyes on it, than I, and partially because I didn't want to drive it away thinking is it going straight because Ive just dialed in so much toe the tires will be gone in 2 miles, or is it going straight because its right.

After the alignment I decided to push the handling. I have noticed on small tight slow turns, it has a tendency to spin the inside. In turns which speed is carried, she will tweak out a bit, if power is applied intentionally hard before apex. It seems to have a hard time when going 'slow' to transfer weight to the rear. I am going to install the sway bar tonight, and see what happens to the handling.

The brakes are awesome. That being said, the master requires a lot of travel before it bothers to do anything. Maybe my booster requires adjustment. It has been bled countless times, and when you do find the pedal the brakes are awesome.

Stopping over and over again without hesitation, without fuss, without noise, and so far without serious dust..
I love the feel of modern brakes, they don't seem to fight the fact that they have a hard job in slowing you down. Less hard in a 1980 Fiat, lightened a respectful amount then laden by me. I want to do a stopping distance check, because I am convinced locking seems more likely than anything.

Ok back to driving :)
Josh
Daniel

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by Daniel »

So any updates on the brake kits ?



Daniel
pastaroni34

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by pastaroni34 »

joshuagore wrote:
manoa matt wrote:I see you machined out the center hole and re-drilled the lug holes. How much machining of the center hole was necessary? The Honda rotor has a center hole of 61mm while the stock Fiat rotor has a center hole of 61.5mm - 62.23mm acording to drawings by Brembo and Jason Miller. I know the stock Fiat rotor center hole is loose when installed on the hub.
The stock Fiat rotors do not rest on the nose of the wheel hub. The rotor hat is machined on the inside to fit snugly on the OD of the wheel hub, out past the threaded holes for the wheel bolts. Without this setup I am not so sure how the rotors would be properly on-axis, I think there would be too much runout for my taste just relying on the wheel bolts to center the rotor.

Good work on the project :D If you ever need any dimensions I have most of a fiat spider in my database that I can help with.
joshuagore

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by joshuagore »

My setup uses a hubcentric ring, which locates the rotor, spacer, and wheels to the hub. The civic rotor has a bigger hub center ID and therefore there is room.

Josh

p.s. I have to wait on doing anything for a kit until I sort some details out regarding clearance on the steering arm, and on the ID most near the OD of the hub.
This is not to say things are not good. I have 500-700 miles on the kit, and am very pleased. The braking is linear, smooth, and has never shown any signs of fade. The car has not seen the track so real longevity testing has yet to be seen. Its unsafe to consistently go the speeds required to push the brakes on public roads. Prior to the brake modification it took very little for me to push the brakes. They never really went mush, but they lost noticeable bite, and the rotors always left something to be desired. I couldn't be happier, but before I go creating kits, and testing on another car let me put it through its paces.

I think the only way I can do the kit is in a group buy scenario. Maybe 10 people?
racydave

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by racydave »

I hope you get her sorted out soon, so I can have a ride! I am interested in the brake mod for mine. Did you get the differential repaired? Joining the Chichago group was a good move, they are a good group!
joshuagore

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by joshuagore »

racydave wrote:I hope you get her sorted out soon, so I can have a ride! I am interested in the brake mod for mine. Did you get the differential repaired? Joining the Chichago group was a good move, they are a good group!
I am still looking for a pinion. As soon as I get that I will be good to go.
Josh
Daniel

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by Daniel »

Ok Josh

I am interested in a kit i think it will help everyone out to know what the kit comes with, parts needed
and how much .

Great job on your car and photos on the progress with all the updates i wish some of the other guys
displayed there projects like this there is always room to learn a new trick from time to time .


Daniel
Fonz

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by Fonz »

I am having a hard time finding coilovers for the spider, did I miss a link to where I could buy a set? An adjustable ride height is important to me.

-The fonz
spiderrey
Posts: 2623
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:08 pm
Your car is a: 70 124 spider-74x19-03 ranger edge
Location: San Dimas, Ca

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by spiderrey »

just found this thread. extremely good read up until i had to stop and change my grandsons diaper, ouch. very imformative, looking forward to updates. thanx reyy
Fonz

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by Fonz »

I would hate to post a new thread, does anyone know where I can pick up a set of adjustable coil overs?
halg

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by halg »

Fonz go to my posts rear coil over suspension and coil over front suspension to see how I did it
Hal
spiderrey
Posts: 2623
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2006 2:08 pm
Your car is a: 70 124 spider-74x19-03 ranger edge
Location: San Dimas, Ca

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by spiderrey »

halg, where is this post you are referring to. i keep coming up blank with the search.
Fonz

Re: Suspension/Brakes Build... Adjustable, low, raceeeee

Post by Fonz »

here it is spiderrey
http://www.fiatspider.com:16080/f08/vie ... 159#p47159


thanks halg, do you want to sell me a set? =P
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