Front shock poundage - Zetec/MK
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 04:27 PM
Hi all
Got some second hand Protech shocks - they cam with springs with '300' written on them.
Can sits a bit too low (about 75mm at mo) and you can 'lift' the front about 2" - so think I need some heavier springs.
Before I order some im not sure what - eg 325, 350 etc and wondered what others running a Zetec are using?
Thanks
Doug
40inches - 14/9/18 at 04:54 PM
I am still using the BEC springs with the Jag V6 engine, 275 lb on the front, 175 lb on the rear, working OK.
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 05:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
I am still using the BEC springs with the Jag V6 engine, 275 lb on the front, 175 lb on the rear, working OK.
well im using 300 on the front and not ok for me, but thanks.
Back is fine....
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 05:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
I am still using the BEC springs with the Jag V6 engine, 275 lb on the front, 175 lb on the rear, working OK.
Whats your ride height at the front?
Mr Whippy - 14/9/18 at 05:38 PM
Stupid question but have you wound the spring seats up and if so are the springs coil bound once the car is at the ride height you want or does it
still have have some travel?
I mind on my MK I had the protech shocks and springs for the Sierra engine but they coped no bother with the heavier Ford capri v6
[Edited on 14/9/18 by Mr Whippy]
40inches - 14/9/18 at 06:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daz1234
quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
I am still using the BEC springs with the Jag V6 engine, 275 lb on the front, 175 lb on the rear, working OK.
Whats your ride height at the front?
Around 110mm with the front wishbones parallel to the ground, rear 140mm with the wishbones parallel.
What can i say? Works fine no bottoming or any untoward behavior, if there was I would change them 
40inches - 14/9/18 at 06:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Stupid question but have you wound the spring seats up and if so are the springs coil bound once the car is at the ride height you want or does it
still have have some travel?
I mind on my MK I had the protech shocks and springs for the Sierra engine but they coped no bother with the heavier Ford capri v6
[Edited on 14/9/18 by Mr Whippy]
Just popped into the garage for a sanity check 
The springs have 12 coils with a 7mm gap between coils, that gives 84mm of travel. The shocks have 100mm of travel,
with the bones parallel to the ground the shocks have 75mm of compression with 25mm of droop. That gives me 7mm spare with the bump stop full
compressed. I think 
[Edited on 14-9-18 by 40inches]
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 07:16 PM
When the car is 'resting' the bones do not sit level they are sagging (indicating the springs are not up for the job?).
Mine is siting about 70mm off the ground (too low for my liking!)
Settings:
8 coils
about 11mm gap between coils
Wound up about 30mm
PS this is a IndyRR
PPS maybe the issue is that mine are 8 coild not 11!?
D
[Edited on 14/9/18 by Daz1234]
[Edited on 14/9/18 by Daz1234]
Mr Whippy - 14/9/18 at 07:54 PM
Well those sound like the springs I had as they too had 12 turns. The way I'd look at it is if you adjust it till the car is the correct ride
height i.e the lower wishbones are level as are the trackrods and when you then load up the front and it still has a bit more travel then no issue.
However how much is enough depends on what your doing with it... Normally maybe 50mm would be sufficient, depends on how many potholes or speedbumps
you have. However I was not aware of 8 coils springs and they may be a better option, springs are usually not very expensive.
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 08:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Well those sound like the springs I had as they too had 12 turns. The way I'd look at it is if you adjust it till the car is the correct ride
height i.e the lower wishbones are level as are the trackrods and when you then load up the front and it still has a bit more travel then no issue.
However how much is enough depends on what your doing with it... Normally maybe 50mm would be sufficient, depends on how many potholes or speedbumps
you have. However I was not aware of 8 coils springs and they may be a better option, springs are usually not very expensive.
Ok well I can wind them up a bit further to get it level (as you say).....
Whats the best way to 'load up the front' bar jumping on the front of the car lol
D
CosKev3 - 14/9/18 at 08:03 PM
Indy R/RR have in-board shocks that work on a totally different angle to the old Indy like 40inches that has out board shocks.
Are you sure you bought shocks that were correct for a RR with in-board shocks?
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 08:04 PM
Yes mate they came off a IndyRR BEC
D
scimjim - 14/9/18 at 08:04 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 40inchesThe springs have 12 coils with a 7mm gap between coils, that gives 84mm of travel.
No it doesnt
CosKev3 - 14/9/18 at 08:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
Stupid question but have you wound the spring seats up and if so are the springs coil bound once the car is at the ride height you want or does it
still have have some travel?
I mind on my MK I had the protech shocks and springs for the Sierra engine but they coped no bother with the heavier Ford capri v6
[Edited on 14/9/18 by Mr Whippy]
Just popped into the garage for a sanity check
The springs have 12 coils with a 7mm gap between coils, that gives 84mm of travel. The shocks have 100mm of travel,
with the bones parallel to the ground the shocks have 75mm of compression with 25mm of droop. That gives me 7mm spare with the bump stop full
compressed. I think
[Edited on 14-9-18 by 40inches]
Have you taken into consideration the angle the shocks are on?
They hardly compress as they are at such a large angle compared to how much the chassis does 
CosKev3 - 14/9/18 at 08:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daz1234
Yes mate they came off a IndyRR BEC
D
Just wind the seats up more
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 08:07 PM
quote:
Originally posted by CosKev3
quote:
Originally posted by Daz1234
Yes mate they came off a IndyRR BEC
D
Just wind the seats up more
ok ill give that a go tomorrow to the point where the bones are level and see what travel that leaves me with and report back here - thanks guys.
D
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 08:41 PM
Well just wound them up as far as I think they should go (gap between coils is 8mm now) - its made bugger all different to the ride height though. :/
INDY BIRD - 14/9/18 at 09:08 PM
If a Indy rr check push rod you may have 12.5 long
May require new ones at 14 long
Sean
Mr Whippy - 14/9/18 at 09:10 PM
Ok next stupid question... I assume your wishbones bushes are not binding and they move easily by hand? If so then only options are then to get
stronger springs or bigger wheels
CosKev3 - 14/9/18 at 10:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daz1234
Well just wound them up as far as I think they should go (gap between coils is 8mm now) - its made bugger all different to the ride height though. :/
Take a pic
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 10:58 PM
Nothing is binding, rods are fine.
I just think I need stronger springs.... these are off a IndyRR BEC, so nothing wrong with them bar they cant handle the weight of the front end.
But the question is - they are currently 300, is anyone else running indyRR with zetec (or car engine) and if so what springs are they running.
Do I get 325, 350 375 etc.
Ta!
Daz1234 - 14/9/18 at 10:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by INDY BIRD
If a Indy rr check push rod you may have 12.5 long
May require new ones at 14 long
Sean
Hey Sean
What front springs are you running? What length and what weight please?
D
40inches - 15/9/18 at 12:37 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Daz1234
quote:
Originally posted by INDY BIRD
If a Indy rr check push rod you may have 12.5 long
May require new ones at 14 long
Sean
Hey Sean
What front springs are you running? What length and what weight please?
D
Sean should know, as I believe he is one of the new owners of MK Sports cars
Daz1234 - 15/9/18 at 09:46 AM
quote:
Originally posted by INDY BIRD
If a Indy rr check push rod you may have 12.5 long
May require new ones at 14 long
Sean
OK just got the tape measure out and yes the rods are 12.5" long - so they should be 14"? That would explain it......
[Edited on 15/9/18 by Daz1234]
CosKev3 - 15/9/18 at 05:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daz1234
quote:
Originally posted by INDY BIRD
If a Indy rr check push rod you may have 12.5 long
May require new ones at 14 long
Sean
OK just got the tape measure out and yes the rods are 12.5" long - so they should be 14"? That would explain it......
[Edited on 15/9/18 by Daz1234]
Mounting point to mounting point is where they measure them