Hey MacGyver have you thought about doing a Sebring steering column swap? That steering column is very easy to install, very clean results and u could use ur flip key!

Hello there,

Just wanted to say I just sat here and read this thread from beginning to end! This is one of the most impressive builds I have seen yet Had a few good laughs too, (the bird taking the pic..LMAO) You are a very talented person MacGyver! I would wish you luck but don think you really need it Well maybe we all need a little luck , so good luck on the rest of the build......Well keep up the good work and look forward to seeing the completed work of art!

Ferrghini

Definitely staying in tune.... I am also keeping a look out for that interior kit you said you will have for sale early this summer 

I have been working on the rear suspension and came to the conclusion that if I were to put coilovers over my struts and bring the car down to where I want it. I will only have one inch of travel on the struts.

Unless anyone knows of where I can find struts that are made shorter, this is what I came up with so far.

I took one of my old struts and stripped it down as if I were to install coilovers. I also cut the bottom welds as well and moved the mount up 1.25"

This is after the modification. Am I on the right track with this? Or is there something different I should be doing?

After this modification I now will have 2.25" of travel to the suspension. It wouldn't benefit to go any farther since their is only 2.40" before the tire hits the top of the chassis in the wheel well anyway. Not to mention the strut rubbing on the CV boot. 

If anyone has a better solution to this. Please chime in before I go and buy new struts and butcher them up.

I was also thinking about a 10" spring on the strut. What spring rate would anyone suggest? I was thinking 325 to 350. Is that about right with my 3.4 DOHC? (OR)  should I be looking at an 8" spring?

Sean;

The only thing I would do different or really add to your build is to add in a cup on the bottom of the shock holder you have moved up.  I am not sure you will be able to add enough weld to the shock exterior without wrecking it to make sure there is enough strength in the mount to shock interface that would need to be welded.  I don't think you would be able to keep they heat on the shock itself long enough to get good penetration so you may not have the strength you want on the shock to mount interface.

Add a cup to the bottom of the shock mount you show in your picture so that it has the shock sitting down on the bottom and then put a couple tack welds around the top of the shock mount and it should stay.  You will get enough strength with the bottom of the shock sitting on a perch rather than depending on cold welds.

My thoughts anyway.  Good thinking on how you lowered them for better shock travel.

I think I am 350# on my rear 12" coils and 275# on the 10" fronts.  With your shorter perch, 10" should be good.

Cheers
Don

I just now ordered a new set of struts and shocks. Let the hacking begin.

Now I just have to figure what spring rate and length for the rear coilovers. With my present setup I was planning on 325 - 350 pounders at 10 inches long. Is their anyone using 8" ones??? Somehow I just know I will get the wrong ones and will have to order different ones.

ive just read the whole thread

this guy is a genius..

hey mcgyver will you make the dash kit for a rhd car?

many thanks