Dallarax19
Builder -Dallara Replica
Wow that is quite a response
Yeah our performance assumptions are a bit different which may explain the differing points of view.
1) I planned for limited jounce and rebound ("compression travel") appropriate for a performance suspension (will have to look at my notes but I think it is 4" total) (not sure what is stock but I can't see it more than 6" total)
2) I have a machined spacer allowing the strut top to nestle better into my camber plates however in previous designs I used the stock bell shaped aluminum piece to do the same for the stock strut mount.
3) I use both 10" (QA1 for the cost - silver ones) and 8" (Eibach for the rate selection - yellow ones) springs - no rub issues, I do prefer the 8" however, my wheel backspace is 3.5" but my brake rotor hub is slightly thicker than stock, I run 245s on the rear and 205s on the front
4) Adding a weld collar for the perch is pretty much the norm, my strut inserts even came with a set of rings to weld on but I prefer using a piece of tube with a split in it - not complicated
5) Don't see how the spring could come loose, my springs are always in compression even in full rebound (maybe just my design though - see first point), I think Brad Garska used helper springs in his design though
6) The thrust bearings are bomb proof - again pretty common, I don't do anything special but I do expect the occasional Preventative Maintenance (PM), once a year or every two year re-oiling, I don't see how Marks design is better concerning this point
I am not sure you mentioned it, I missed it if you did, but I think the BRP upper allows more clearance to the strut tower allowing more camber/caster adjustability. I ran into this problem so it is a key point for me and the BRP has been great for that - mms count.
I think you may be looking at a "set it and forget it" set up where I expect to be adjusting and tuning the suspension constantly. Our key design criteria and philosophy are different, for me the BRP (smaller) upper perch is necessary. I expect to be doing PM work to keep it all working right, swap spring rates and make camber and caster adjustments. If you are not doing that then you are right and it may be an unnecessary cost.
Yeah our performance assumptions are a bit different which may explain the differing points of view.
1) I planned for limited jounce and rebound ("compression travel") appropriate for a performance suspension (will have to look at my notes but I think it is 4" total) (not sure what is stock but I can't see it more than 6" total)
2) I have a machined spacer allowing the strut top to nestle better into my camber plates however in previous designs I used the stock bell shaped aluminum piece to do the same for the stock strut mount.
3) I use both 10" (QA1 for the cost - silver ones) and 8" (Eibach for the rate selection - yellow ones) springs - no rub issues, I do prefer the 8" however, my wheel backspace is 3.5" but my brake rotor hub is slightly thicker than stock, I run 245s on the rear and 205s on the front
4) Adding a weld collar for the perch is pretty much the norm, my strut inserts even came with a set of rings to weld on but I prefer using a piece of tube with a split in it - not complicated
5) Don't see how the spring could come loose, my springs are always in compression even in full rebound (maybe just my design though - see first point), I think Brad Garska used helper springs in his design though
6) The thrust bearings are bomb proof - again pretty common, I don't do anything special but I do expect the occasional Preventative Maintenance (PM), once a year or every two year re-oiling, I don't see how Marks design is better concerning this point
I am not sure you mentioned it, I missed it if you did, but I think the BRP upper allows more clearance to the strut tower allowing more camber/caster adjustability. I ran into this problem so it is a key point for me and the BRP has been great for that - mms count.
I think you may be looking at a "set it and forget it" set up where I expect to be adjusting and tuning the suspension constantly. Our key design criteria and philosophy are different, for me the BRP (smaller) upper perch is necessary. I expect to be doing PM work to keep it all working right, swap spring rates and make camber and caster adjustments. If you are not doing that then you are right and it may be an unnecessary cost.