Ke55 Front / Rear Suspension

[olskool]

Ok. Well then where do I start. I have a 4age, a pintara diff, halfway to getting a gearbox and am ready to begin the conversion. I want to do as much as I can with the car still drivable and roadworthy. I figured that the first thing that I can do would be the suspension and brake upgrade. This stuff can all be in the car, yet still with the standard 4k.

 

I have been shopping around and looking at a few different ways in which to upgrade the front suspension. I hear that corona struts are common, or old celica struts. Now the decision that I have come to is this, which you may not all agree with. I want to keep my standard strut assembly exactly as is. I have got a few quotes from hoppers stoppers for a BIG brake upgrade. It is a straight bolt on procedure with absolutely no modifications to hub, strut etc. That is one plan that I am 100% sticking to. I don't need help with that, it is the suspension I need help with. :lol:

 

Now for the suspension. As I said I want to keep everything standard. My idea was this. Buy any coilover suspension from any car and cut and shut a few components. I was going to cut basically the whole of my strut off, except the bottom area with all necessary bolt areas for LCA's, tie rod ends etc. Then effectively I would want to find some coilovers that have a smaller diameter than my original shock housings so that they fit snug inside when I cut it off. This will also make for a stronger build. Then I came to the idea that AE86 sprinter struts would possibly fit in, which means the coilovers for that car will also. :jamie:

 

So who has experimented with such things as AE86 struts into a KE55 Corolla?

 

Who knows of a good place to purchase second hand coilovers?

 

Now my next problem is the rear suspension. I need new shocks. To my understanding short stroke shocks are good because when cornering hard, efectively you would get a bit of body roll, it stops the lowered springs from falling out of their position. :wink: So if I was to purchase short stroke shocks for the rear it would not really be worth it because the leaves can't really fall out, yet I still do want a set.

 

So does anyone know of a company that makes super stiff short stroke shocks for the rear of a KE55?

 

The leaves themselves I will be getting reset and possibly an extra one put in. Everyday that I drive my car I bounce around like I am on the wildest rapids. Even a rollercoaster feels more comfortable. My area is really dodgy for potholes and bumps. :y: Just this arvo I did a fairly intersting upgrade to the rear suspension of my KE55. I discovered the bouncing was due to sitting on the bumpstops. At Pick 'n' Payless I found some bump stops from a datto wagon, I drilled some holes in the plates that hold the standard bump stop in and put them in. It gave an extra 7mm clearance from the diff approx. It has made a huge difference. I guess that is a reason as to why I want short stroke shocks, because now the suspension can travel an extra 7mm.

 

Where can I buy a high performance swaybar for the front and rear?

 

I know that Whiteline do a front swaybar for the KE55 but I don't know about the rear swaybar. I know that this a lot of stuff but I have been stuck on these few topics for quite a while now.

 

Any help with any of these topics would be much appreciated. Thanks heaps guys. :lolcry:

[Redwarf]

*sigh* Here we go.

 

 

Now for the suspension. As I said I want to keep everything standard. My idea was this. Buy any coilover suspension from any car and cut and shut a few components. I was going to cut basically the whole of my strut off, except the bottom area with all necessary bolt areas for LCA's, tie rod ends etc. Then effectively I would want to find some coilovers that have a smaller diameter than my original shock housings so that they fit snug inside when I cut it off. This will also make for a stronger build. Then I came to the idea that AE86 sprinter struts would possibly fit in, which means the coilovers for that car will also.

 

So who has experimented with such things as AE86 struts into a KE55 Corolla?

 

Who knows of a good place to purchase second hand coilovers?

That top idea isn't going to work as the 55's have a reasonably small strut, and nothing you're going to find will be small enough to fit inside.

 

Why do you need coil-overs anyway? They're wasted on most people at the best of times, who generally only want them so they can say "look! It's got coil overs!" If you want to keep the originality of the car get some Bilsteins and custom springs and you're fat dumb and happy. Custom springs can be made to any height and any poundage that you want. Easy. No cutting and shutting, no arseing around.

 

So does anyone know of a company that makes super stiff short stroke shocks for the rear of a KE55?

 

Bilstein and Koni. Hessmans (sp?) in Sydney will do what ever you want with a Bilstein.

 

Where can I buy a high performance swaybar for the front and rear?

 

Why? What are you expecting it to do the car that will be benificial? What do you define as a HP swaybar. I have a crowbar down stairs with a bit of heat I reckon I could make you up one. Will 35mm be big enough?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I'm just getting too old....... /rant

[Des]

Like Redwalf said most people want Coilovers for wank factor, I had a kit and sold them due to i don't need them and they were a waste of money for my applications.

[doityourself]

AE86 struts will go in using RA40 steering arms, as for strut top I have heard of people redrilling the strut tower to suit the AE71/TE72/AE86 bolt pattern. Whether this is legal or not, I don't know.

 

Personally I would go MX62 / MX73 Cressida Struts with KE55 strut tops, with an 83 Camry (monroe GT gas) shock and custom Aurora springs approx. 2 - 2.5 inches lower and a spring rate of 5 -5.5kgs.

 

As for diff I would ditch the piny diff and get a KE55 BW with swaybar support, Contact Boss Automotive in SA, they can do a billet minispool centre for about $350, and some billet axles for $1000 each.

 

As for swaybars you could upgrade the front bushes to nolathane or similar and add a thicker whiteline bolt that is available for KE55 BW with swaybar support.

 

Dale J.

[olskool]

Some varied responses but very good information, thank you guys. Now the reason I want coilovers is because I do want to go to track days when I have the conversion done, and to me I feel that coilovers will be beneficial in such a matter.

 

Now Redwarf, you said just get some stiff springs and shocks, but I havent been able to find anyone that will sell short stroke shocks for the front. That was my original idea, I had Allsprings lined up for their JUMBOZ springs reset to my height, and the leaves reset to my height. But then I found that noone sold short stroke shocks for the front of my car. To me these would be necessary for the front.

 

Also I am not one of those people that want to get coilovers just so I have bragging rights with them. I want to use the technology to its full advantage. :jamie:

[oh what a nissan feeling!]

coilovers, believe me you will not bother to adjust them for the track, once you get the car sitting how you want it you will leave it. These guys are just trying to save you money, but if you want to do it, just do it. I have coilovers, i have adjusted them once in a year, only because i needed mods approval.

 

There are much cheeper companies than hopper stoppers out there that are equal in quality.

 

But then I found that noone sold short stroke shocks for the front of my car. To me these would be necessary for the front.

with an 83 Camry (monroe GT gas) shock

You don't listen, these are the shocks you want for more travel and shorter stroke, you just need to shorten your tube by a few inches.

 

Just this arvo I did a fairly intersting upgrade to the rear suspension of my KE55. I discovered the bouncing was due to sitting on the bumpstops. At Pick 'n' Payless I found some bump stops from a datto wagon, I drilled some holes in the plates that hold the standard bump stop in and put them in.

 

Changing bumpstops is not an upgrade, don't you own a hacksaw?

[Redwarf]

Now Redwarf, you said just get some stiff springs and shocks, but I havent been able to find anyone that will sell short stroke shocks for the front. That was my original idea, I had Allsprings lined up for their JUMBOZ springs reset to my height, and the leaves reset to my height. But then I found that noone sold short stroke shocks for the front of my car. To me these would be necessary for the front.

 

Hessmans (sp?) in Sydney will do what ever you want with a Bilstein.

 

Also know as Sydney shock adsorbers as well I believe.

[doityourself]

I may tell you that the 83 camry shock don't suit KE struts. The diameter is too large, they do work in MX struts though.

[oh what a nissan feeling!]

I got the camry tube machined and welded onto the stock stub axel

[anastasios]

I'm currently putin 86 coilover into my 55 so will let u know how they go

[cuzzo]

Hey olskool.

 

Its Cuzzo(aka adam) meet ya at toymods toyfest show at auburn.

 

In my ke30 i have some koni reds adjustable shocks in the rear, which can be changed from nice and stiff, to standardish stiffness. They arent cheap, i payed 365 for pair but are really handy to have.

 

With the pintara diff it should be the 25 spline axel version(as the skylines are 28 spline) Sure it will be plenty for a 4age but everyone knows it doesnt stay a 4age for long untill the T starts sneeking into the bay. :lolcry:

 

The front i have some xt130w struts with coilovers welded on them with 6kg springs and kyb agx shocks. Once again adjustable. Sure you don't touch must adjustment but its always great to have. Then i have hilux calipers and pugeot discs. (very easy upgrade with slight machining). I belive changing the strut would be better because of the larger wheel bearings/therefore the larger stub axel.

 

But if Hoppers can guarantee that the standard struts are up to the task then cool.

Edited February 25, 2007 by cuzzo

[anastasios]

how does the front handle with 6kg springs?

[cuzzo]

I'm not sure it mainly a point and press type of car at the moment untill i get used to the power. But it seems alright.

[olskool]

Thanks for all the help again guys. So with the shocks for the rear that you bought, Cuzzo, where did you buy them from, can you just purchase them from anywhere that deals with Koni.

[cuzzo]

I bought them through Dave at AJPS who did my coil-overs.

 

But I'm pretty sure any suspension shop can get them if they want to. Would probably help if they were dealers of koni.