Ke20 Suspension/shocks For Track

[saveit]

Hi,

 

As stated in another thread i have just bought a KE20 rally car which are to be converted to a historic track car for circuit racing. There is not much help to find here in Denmark since almost none of these cars exist here anymore.

 

I am trying to find our which suspension/shocks to put on the car. In the front i need some inserts, but according to some Monroe part numbers i only have 38mm width to work with inside the strut. I cannot seem to find any sport/racing shock inserts that are this slim? What do you guys do? Are there some other struts for some other cars that can be bought as a racing shock (Leda, Gaz, Avo, Spax, whatever) which will fit?

 

Also, about camber and roll center. I see its possible to buy Roll center adjusters which i will do. But how do you guys gain enough camber on these cars to use them for track racing?

 

In the rear i think it must be possible to find something.

 

Stefan

[altezzaclub]

Get Celica or Corona or any of the larger Toyotas with macpherson struts from about the same age. AE86 will do if you can afford them. You can convert them to adjustable coil-over design or just lower the spring seat to get the car low enough, but at least you have 52mm shock tubes that will take a wide range of inserts. The 65 series will give you shorter struts and ventilated discs.

 

Mitsi Sigma lower control arms should widen the track and give negative camber. Camber tops are available too.

 

The rear end would benefit from a sway bar, a couple of paralell links and a panhard rod, all of which you'll need to fabricate onto the shell. If you find a Celica/Corona to get parts from, get the diff too as it will be wider & can take an LSD.

 

You could get stuff sent from here, but it may be easier to buy modern coil-overs over there.

[coln72]

Can alter camber by redrilling the lower control arm mounts in the cross member. Can move them out and up to gain nearly 1.5 degrees (from memory). pics here

http://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/12720-mytoy-ke20/page__p__173678__hl__+mytoy#entry173678

[saveit]

Hi,

 

I am not allowed to buy modern coil overs and put these on. Generally the parts must be periodic parts (from that time/era) or it must be invisible to the naked eye that they have been switched :oops:

 

Could any of you guys supply me with the Sigma lower control arms as the Sigma (or Galant) from that time is totally gone here. Don't think i ever saw one. Same with the old Celica/Corona.

 

I can find AE86 here so i think i can source some struts from this. Will they bolt straight in?

 

 

Stefan

[parrot]

There has been a lot written about AE86 struts into KE2x. Use the search function and all will be revealed. Main issue is the KE2x steering arm has a different bolt spacing which you need to resolve by sourcing TE27 steering arms from japan (expensive) or US (less expensive, but people have woken up and source these cheaply to sell on). Modern alternatives (techno toy tuning) are available but will be obvious modern additions. You will face the same problem whichever later strut you use.

 

Next problem is that the stub axle inclination of the AE86 arms tends toward positive camber in a KE2x. The diameter of the springs etc means there is minimal room to move the strut top inward to compensate, but if you use different lower control arms you can presumably get around that. MX32 Cressida arms are another option you may find locally.

[styler]

Yes the TE27, ie the top 20 series corolla had very similar front struts to the AE86 and there is a lot of AE86 modifications and aftermarket gear that can be looked at.

The AE86 struts are 51mm which is a common strut size, some coronas and celicas had the same 51mm tube, different flange, stub axle, brakes and steering arms.

For historic rules, either genuine TE27 stuff or using the cheaper and better AE86 stock or aftermarket suspension might pass. With AE86 struts, there are steering arms

that work perfectly from the original TE27, they are rare though. There are also other steering arms that can work with some work with other struts, use some searching and see.

The best longer LCA that is the closest fit was the MX62 cressida last I remember, with all the mounting holes and all (Not sure if MX32 is the same LCA?).

 

The rear end is another story, maybe another time.

[saveit]

Hi Guys,

 

Thanks for the answers. Can anyone supply me with the MX62 Cressida lower control arms since we do not have the Cressida in Europe? I searched on ebay but could only find a lot of MX70 control arms, but they seem to be shorther (and therefore not usable) than the MX62.