Alternative dampers - coilover building

[quackshot]

I'm converting my front struts of my Datsun 510 to adjustable coilovers using weld on steel sleeves. HOWEVER, the removable inserts in the front struts are non-sealed units and I'm looking to replace them with something a little better of the sealed variety.

A common exchange (for AE86's which these are almost identical to) is to use the Toyota mk2 MR2 inserts. But really I don't want to spend £60-£100 on dampers which MIGHT work, coupled with the cost of the coilover sleeves, springs, possibly top mounts etc so looking at cheaper alternative options.

I went to my local motorfactors who had Vauxhall carlton inserts which are the correct diameter but with 350mm body length (really need 370 but a spacer could be used or I could shorten the strut).
Also the threaded part has a different bit for the bearing to sit so I would imagine I need to change that too.

Does anyone have any spare dampers which they could measure up and post info in this thread?

[nomad]

I was looking into doing something similar - the cheapest coilovers kits I found were from Rally Design (pair needed, so £50 + VAT + postage). Not tried them so can't comment on quality.

Try searching around the forum, somebody last year offered to find sizes for shock inserts at work but I can't remember who.
On mine, I worked out fitting a shorter insert was only part of the problem, the strut body would still be too tall to give decent travel. Seth found some new topmounts gave more clearance - see his build retrorides.proboards.com/thread/37503

[quackshot]

Ok, so I have just read that and it has no mention to alternative dampers (on the first 10 page at least).

I don't want to use the old inserts, I want to fit a sealed unit inside... so the information I am after is damper insert diameters and lengths etc with that information I can probably find an alternative solution.

[nomad]

^ understood, and I knew I'd seen something similar a while ago that might have insert dimensions/ lookup info / ideas that you could use (if I could use search better I could have found the exact page quicker  )

Seth starts his strut stuff retrorides.proboards.com/thread/37503#page=30 which has a link to a dedicated strut discussion retrorides.proboards.com/thread/77693

Afraid if none of that helps, I'm out of ideas

[charlie]

Interesting subject. I have just made a pair of coilovers for my Datsun 510. Just because front brakes are difficult to find for the 510 I used a pair of 280ZX struts. I used Ebay springs, collars and top hats and cut and ground the original spring perch. Here is the finished item and a before and after shot.





The 280ZX strut gives you big brakes and is a straight swap into the 510. Are you using the 510 struts?

I know you are looking for damper info - have you tried the American 510 forums? Ratsun and 510Realm. They know their stuff.

Charlie

[quackshot]

I did a fair bit of researching but there was a lot of misinformation and contradictory measurements.

I can confirm that Vauxhall Carlton inserts are a great fit in the strut... I decided though to try the AE92 (corolla GTi) insert which also fit well. They are a bit shorter so I will be cutting down my strut before welding on the coilover sleeves.

I've been taking pictures of it all so once I get round to uploading them I will post a step by step quide

The 280zx is a great option/upgrade. We were possibly bidding against each other if those were the ones on ebay a while back... by the way, did you receive my message about the engine you said you were removing which I could buy from you?

[stealthstylz]

Its always worth fitting shorter inserts and chopping the strut bodies down to match. Means you can drop it lower and still have plenty of reserve travel which is the difference between a good ride and a curse word ride.

[quackshot]

True, hence going for the AE92 damper. Popular little car so still a variety of inserts available and a similar size, weight so *should* work out ok.