uprated suspension for a slant engined saloon

[Retro morgs]

Whilst fitting the wheels i noticed just how tired the suspension is on the ole girl,soft and bouncy as hell! I've read numerous threads on uprated suspension on here but am still none the wiser. I'm after a complete uprated set up with about a 2" drop,anybody point me in the right direction?

[Jon-HPF]

depends on your budget - got choice from coilovers / ohc lowered springs with various shock options - gas - adjustable etc.

Ive got a brand new pair of front lowered By 2" springs sitting in my shed - way too low for my taste so went for the snoot spring set up .

Pay the postage and you can have the springs to see if a 2" drop is ok with you - may foul the arches on lock though!

Jon

[Retro morgs]

I've been googling like mad and come up with a few idea's now! Would really appreciate those spring jon,will be well handy to trial fit those . Any idea on postage cost's?

[Jon-HPF]

i will find out from postoffice and let you know - what part of our wonderful country are you stuck in ?

Jon

[Retro morgs]

Magic! I'm down in kent,you want me to pm you my address?

[viva2300]

With a 2 inch drop and 7 x 13 on the front you are gonna have bigger problems with fouling than you have now.
If you do go for that drop, then i'd say you will need 175/50/13 front tyres which in IMO look *Bleep*. Do what Jon did & go for the snoot setup with a 1 inch drop or even 1 1/2 inch maybe. What you will find is that 6 x 13's are better on the front because of the problems with fouling of either front valence or the inner wheel archs. You can fit 185/60/13 tyres with the 6 x 13 wheels...too late now though i spose

Paul

[oli8925]

As Paul says with that much of a drop, 13x7 wheels with 'normal' chunky tyres on is going to cause problems. I would also say running low profile tyres on the 7's will cause problems too, as when I had 195/45/13 on the Viva, it had the effect of lowering the car by a little over an inch, so in total you're going to have a 3"+ drop.

As I am at the moment with steelies on big tyres and a 2" drop, I wouldn't recommend much more! Again as Paul says 13x6 on the front will give you a lot more options so you should be able to get full lock too. I'll tell you when I get my new wheels

I'll be selling my 13x7s soon too so while I still have them I'll put them on to give you an idea of ride height...that is if I can get the jack out afterwards which I doubt I will be able to...

[Retro morgs]

Cheers for the info guys,i've got a much better idea of what to do now. I cant change the tyres now as i have only just had all 4 fitted! Not gonna go for such a big drop now,where is the droop snoot set up available from?

[viva2300]

Nick, there's nothing available off the shelf for the cars i'm afraid....this is what its like when you own a Viva!!
You can buy Spax adjustable shock absorbers off the shelf...but you need to order a set for a Jensen Healey...they are the same as the Magnum/Viva 1800 & 2300 shocks.
As for the coil springs....i have a set of fronts from my snoot which i could use as a pattern to have some made......the back set wont be coming off until the restored front end is put back on, so would be a wait for the backs, or take yours off and get them made an inch lower. There is a company in Chichester, 25 miles or so from me, who make springs.
Price wise, expect around £60-£70 a corner for a one off set of new coils.
The springs with the Spax would make a nice set up for the car...sorting out the wallowing and dipping....plus some decent bushes in the rear arms, front suspension arms, chassis and outriggers.
Not a lot of change out of £750 for that lot i reckon.....have you got a large hammer to shatter that piggy bank with!

Paul

[Retro morgs]

Oh blimey might have to do this in stages! Thanks for the info guy's,got a few choices now