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06-07-2014, 07:31 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: L.I. N.Y.
Posts: 83
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Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
I am finally ready to re-spring my Speedster. I will be using a T rear, and a Posies A reverse eye and lower arc spring which is said to lower the front end by 2". I understand that the T spring should accomplish the same drop in the rear.
I am also interested in making the ride as compliant as possible. I am trying to figure out how I can at least be in the ballpark with initial modifications as I would like to eliminate as much trial and error as possible and hopefully minimize the number of times I will need to repeat the assembly/test/dis-assembly process. The drive train is 100% stock with regard to its weight. It began its life bodied as a 4 door sedan. It is now aluminum bodied and the skin weighs about 50lbs (on the high side). There is a steel 1x1 sub-frame to which the body is attached and in total the materials weigh about 40lbs. The wood floorboards are still in place, and the fuel tank is the same weight as stock. What I am trying to calculate is the difference in sprung weight between a 4 door sedan (body/interior) and my car as it stands now. I have searched the site, but I have been unable to find the weight of a 4 door sedan body, fenders, bumpers, etc.. Any help with that measurement would be appreciated! Once that weight is a given, I will try to guesstimate a benchmark ratio of the stock spring rate, to the stock sprung weight. Once a baseline is established I will start removing leaves in an attempt to match the ratio. I am hoping that the local spring shop will be able to help me with the measurements of my initial, and modified spring packs, using their shop equipment. I would hope that this get me in the right zone before I begin testing on the car. Am I on the right track? Any input, insight, criticism, or comments are welcome. Thanks, js Last edited by Jay Ess; 06-07-2014 at 07:48 PM. |
06-07-2014, 09:43 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: brentwood, ca
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
2462-2475 lbs on the 4door sedan. Roadster was 2155 lbs.
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06-07-2014, 11:10 PM | #3 |
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
You may also want to post this in the HAMB site to get the question before the greatest number of people with experience on non stock A's.
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06-08-2014, 09:37 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,666
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
This roadster has an 8 leaf T rear spring and a reversed eye 7 leaf front spring. Being a roadster, it should be much heavier than the speedster you described. It rides fine and does not bounce, sway or bottom out. It has standard Model A shocks although I am not sure what condition they are in or if they are really even absorbing any shock. I have driven the car thousands of miles, most on the road but also on some very twisting and turning road race courses.
I had a 1928 tudor with the same spring configuration. The extra weight of the tudor body caused the car to sway left and right as well as bottom out when on rough roads-which we have a lot of in Detroit. Tube shocks and a panard bar helped to remedy this. Last edited by gz; 06-08-2014 at 09:54 AM. |
06-08-2014, 01:39 PM | #5 | ||
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: L.I. N.Y.
Posts: 83
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
Bob, thanks for the response. Would you know the weight of just the body, fenders and bumpers as this would be sprung weight. Thanks, js
Quote:
js Quote:
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06-08-2014, 03:04 PM | #6 |
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
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06-08-2014, 03:15 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: L.I. N.Y.
Posts: 83
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
Boy I wish I could! I have this personality disorder that will not allow me to consider having fun unless I anguish over every detail. It sucks...
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06-08-2014, 11:58 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: brentwood, ca
Posts: 4,264
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
no clue on chassis weight. IMHO 1500-1700 lbs. I have lifted alot of the parts separately.
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06-09-2014, 03:48 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 416
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
discuss some issuses with parts suppliers... they should know what sheet metal weighs they have to ship it to you....
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06-09-2014, 05:03 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,186
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Re: Spring Modifications for my 30 Speedster
For the front spring,you might want to contact posies direct when you have your weight . I put a posies front spring on my Tudor and they sent a different number spring than I ordered . I called and they said that number would work better. Car sits and rides good. Nice folks to deal with.
John |
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