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Are these coilovers suitable for a locost?
JoelP - 28/6/24 at 02:21 PM

Mine and bodged, welded and seized. I'm wanting to replace the shock and just put my existing springs on them. Do these look suitable, in terms of damping for a light car? Sizes are correct, subject to a double check...


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225863733018?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=i45uPG0sRfO&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=yQErn8OURaO &var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Cheers!


JAG - 28/6/24 at 03:25 PM

Yes - if they are physically suitable (length, bolt sizes, bushes etc...) then they will do what you want.

Are they any 'good'?

That's a much more difficult question to answer. I have realised that many off-the-shelf dampers simply aren't suitable for very light cars like Locosts/Se7ens etc... I have AVO dampers on my car, I thought they would be good and a nice tuneable damper. What I have found is that the range of adjustment is not sufficient to allow me to reduce the damping to suit my Locost. All four are on the minimum setting and the car is still very stiff. This shows itself as jittery handling and compromised grip and road holding.

If I were buying again, and I will be soon, then I would buy from Procomp Motorsport. Simply because they can set up your dampers to suit your car via their 'Shock Dyno' facility: Procomp Shock Dyno Service


JoelP - 28/6/24 at 05:28 PM

I too would be going straight to ProComp, but unfortunately Matt passed away last month


quote:
Originally posted by JAG
Yes - if they are physically suitable (length, bolt sizes, bushes etc...) then they will do what you want.

Are they any 'good'?

That's a much more difficult question to answer. I have realised that many off-the-shelf dampers simply aren't suitable for very light cars like Locosts/Se7ens etc... I have AVO dampers on my car, I thought they would be good and a nice tuneable damper. What I have found is that the range of adjustment is not sufficient to allow me to reduce the damping to suit my Locost. All four are on the minimum setting and the car is still very stiff. This shows itself as jittery handling and compromised grip and road holding.

If I were buying again, and I will be soon, then I would buy from Procomp Motorsport. Simply because they can set up your dampers to suit your car via their 'Shock Dyno' facility: Procomp Shock Dyno Service


shindha - 29/6/24 at 06:43 AM

Speak to Spax, Tony the owner is very approachable and drives a westfield himself. I bought my springs and dampers from him.

Spax


40inches - 29/6/24 at 10:27 AM

Protech themselves have a very good customer service.
I bought a second hand set from MK, Protech rebuilt and revalved them for £30 each


JAG - 30/6/24 at 09:49 AM

quote:

I too would be going straight to ProComp, but unfortunately Matt passed away last month



Hmm does that mean that they've stopped business completely or just until they get 'sorted'?

I'm not being callous, I'm sure his family will want time to sort things out, but I wonder if the business will continue in someone else's hands


JoelP - 30/6/24 at 12:44 PM

A valid point. Depends how much of a one man band out was. I've no idea if there were others working there who will carry on.


quote:
Originally posted by JAG
quote:

I too would be going straight to ProComp, but unfortunately Matt passed away last month



Hmm does that mean that they've stopped business completely or just until they get 'sorted'?

I'm not being callous, I'm sure his family will want time to sort things out, but I wonder if the business will continue in someone else's hands


motorcycle_mayhem - 30/6/24 at 02:48 PM

I still have the Protech alloy shocks on the right, the AVO's have gone.
If they're what you're after, drop me a line.





JoelP - 30/6/24 at 03:12 PM

I'll have them please, if you'd consider posting? Springs too, though I've no idea what rate I really need. Do you happen to know what poundage would suit the front of a standard dimension pinto locost? Was just going to reuse my old springs, but new is maybe better anyway...


JoelP - 30/6/24 at 03:14 PM

Actually, I've got a friend in Leicester who passes every week. I'll check if he could pick up...


JAG - 1/7/24 at 07:04 AM

I have a standard Locost with an Escort live axle.

I have 250lb front springs and 150lb rear springs. As recommended by Ian Grey of STM - back in 2004'ish


JoelP - 1/7/24 at 10:53 AM

Thanks Justin!