Given that coilovers to fit locost are so expensive (if you are a cheapskate like me) are there any good reason why you couldn't use 4 mini front coilovers which seem to be more plentiful and cheaper?

Cheers
Dave

Minis dont have coil overs, just a shock absorber. Rather than springs they have a big lump of rubber.

Rich

If you want cheap then use motorbike shocks !

You can buycoilovers for minis on ebay - non-standard equipment I suppose. I read a thread about converting standard mini dampers into locost coilovers using VERY careful welding so I think that they must be similar length.
Dave

Would motorbike shocks be ok?
I dont know anything about them really.
Interesting idea!
Dave

I had a pair of converted mini dampers on the rear of my car for a while.They work after a fashion but are to soft , I had problems with bottoming out over humps. The length is ok for a book built chassis and axle configeration and is about 12.5 inches full open.
I changed to AVOs all round and the car handles much better now.
Paul

You could try motorcycle units, but most of them will be very soft if they're from a twin-shock-rear bike (most bikes are quite a bit lighter than what we're building), and determining the spring rate by eye is a bit of a crap shoot. The ones on the monoshock-rear bikes might work, as they're designed to carry twice the weight each, but again, what is the design weight, and what are the damping characteristics? IMHO, this is not a place to save money on a build. They're the basis for your entire suspension and handling characteristics, and I think a poor place to put a "weak link".

I spent the money and went with GAZ, to my specifications...

I have actually use Motorcycle shocks on my car on the rear I have used Hagons intended for a Harley and on the front I have used two monoshocks intended for an RGV 250 Suzuki . the spring rates seem pretty good .
it cost me about $400 au all up