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Thread: any alternative toi escort struts

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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    any alternative toi escort struts

    i noticed an advert for "rix" struts recently that were bolt on to the bottom stub axle section ( like xr3 and most fwd) and it got me thinking

    im amazed that a common conversion doesnt seem to be available these days so thought i would throw it out there - whats been done / available ?

    ive seen a jap one done by M11rf on here ( forget details ) and i know expensive setups exist so how about a little discussion of this aproach ?

    pro's - cons ? anyone seen it done ? lets have some details.


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    Racer Decade Plus User wildo105e's Avatar

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    i think m11rf used subaru struts if that helps

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    Racer Decade Plus User Forest_rallying's Avatar

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    For a start I think you would need a Hub upright with the same kingpin inclination as the Mk1 and 2 Escort struts. Then there's the problem with the steering arms like the Sierra ones as these are cast to the upright.

    I think if you aren't careful you could be creating more problems than you are solving unless you have someone like Adrian Newey as your next door neighbour.

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    World Champion Decade Plus User alladdin's Avatar

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    this isnt something i am planning , its just that i am surprised someone hasnt found a modern swap/conversion - theres a lot of cars to choose from.

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    Racer Decade Plus User Forest_rallying's Avatar

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    Quote Originally Posted by alladdin View Post
    this isnt something i am planning , its just that i am surprised someone hasnt found a modern swap/conversion - theres a lot of cars to choose from.
    I hear what you are saying but is it worth trying to reinvent the wheel when the Macpherson strut assy is tried and tested.

    The Rix WRC front suspension looks a nice setup but with their X member, steering rack and a pair of struts aand the cost is around 4.5 to 5K.

    I am not familiar with modern car front suspension to much after the Sierra and Escort Cosworth so I can't comment on what might be a suitable replacement.

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    Bodger

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    Have a suss of this? uses nissan s13 coilovers which are common as cheese in aust

    http://www.m11rf.com/product_info.ph...roducts_id=138

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    Quote Originally Posted by nursebetty View Post
    Have a suss of this? uses nissan s13 coilovers which are common as cheese in aust


    http://www.m11rf.com/product_info.ph...roducts_id=138

    IMO, the idea itself is OK. I'd like to check geometry though since the Nissans are "rear steer", meaning they have the rack behind the cross member. Swapping uprights side to side may give some interesting effects.


    I am also not a fan of cutting and welding steering arms.


    Some Swedes use Volvo 240 or 740 struts but they also have the strut tube fixed to the upright so it's not much better. I have been casting eyes at some BMW uprights, and also the Volvo S90/V90 MkI (1997-98) but the latter are rare so probably no help. They do have the nice construction of a "flange" at the bottom where a custom made steering arm and lower balljoint taper is easily fixed to the upright.


    Gustaf

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    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    Quote Originally Posted by therealpinto View Post
    IMO, the idea itself is OK. I'd like to check geometry though since the Nissans are "rear steer", meaning they have the rack behind the cross member. Swapping uprights side to side may give some interesting effects.


    I am also not a fan of cutting and welding steering arms.


    Some Swedes use Volvo 240 or 740 struts but they also have the strut tube fixed to the upright so it's not much better. I have been casting eyes at some BMW uprights, and also the Volvo S90/V90 MkI (1997-98) but the latter are rare so probably no help. They do have the nice construction of a "flange" at the bottom where a custom made steering arm and lower balljoint taper is easily fixed to the upright.


    Gustaf
    I been also wondering what front end I should use and been lookinh for Volvo and BMW.

    Friend of mine has Volvo front shocks, spindles and lower control arms in his mk1 and he has been happy with it at the track and dirt. Even that all the parts are stock, no coilovers or anything.

    BMW has bolt on spindle which is a plus, good brake options, wide range of coilovers, good bearings (which also volvo has). Mainly been looking for e36 spindles and made me think does it matter that bmw has shock center line way ahead lower balljoint (hub lead??).

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    Re: any alternative toi escort struts

    The BMW E36 front suspension has some interesting aspects. The way I see it, it is designed to fit McPherson struts under a relatively low fender line, meaning the strut leans backwards (a lot of caster). They also use what I like to call "trail", the strut axis is on front of the wheel axis.

    I think this would need to be taken into account if using those uprights on another car.

    Generally speaking, using the entire front suspension of another car is usually the easiest if you want good results but then you need to get all the mounting points in the same location as in the donor. I have played with the idea of an E36 front end in a Capri, with the E36 inner wings and strut top mounts etc.

    Gustaf

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