X1/9 KYB strut installation update
Thought I'd give an update to my installation of X1/9 KYB struts on my Scorpion to all those whom helped thus far. To sum up, my Scorpion is fairly stock and suffered from woefully imprecise handling. From the advice on threads on this and other boards, I was to attack this from three angles: the struts (now done), the bushings (up next), and replacing the cheap, albeit new, tires (in the future).
For the struts, I had purchased a spring compressor and disassembled/reassembled the struts myself using the new KYB GR2/Excel-G strut bodies, new Montecarlo springs, and new strut top bushings. The rest of the hardware was cleaned and re-used.
The results:
The rears fit fine with no clearance issues. I can even fit a wider tire, if I desire.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...129_160001.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...129_155946.jpg
The fronts were a different story and I now know why there are so many varying opinions regarding whether the X1/9 KYBs are a direct bolt-in or require modification: I ended not opting for elongating the holes in the strut's lower mounting flange as advised by Matt in a previous post, just so I can see how much interference, if any, I would have. I was able to mount the wheel, but I had 1mm or less clearance between the tire sidewall and lower spring perch (stock tire and 5mm spacer).
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_161305.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_161110.jpg
I had additional 5mm spacers in my drawer, so I added one to each side. So now my front track has widened by 10mm, but the wheels fit on (still retaining hub-centricity, as well) and there's now a comfortable amount of clearance.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_163714.jpg
Anyone aware of handling implications of this type of modification to the suspension setup?
Finally, the car now looks better sitting just under an inch lower than before (the most important part of the whole project
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_164435.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_164456.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_164515.jpg
So far, so good, but I can't wait to try it out! I wanna do it now before other mods roll on, but the salt used here in Michigan winters prevents me from doing that.
T. J.
Thought I'd give an update to my installation of X1/9 KYB struts on my Scorpion to all those whom helped thus far. To sum up, my Scorpion is fairly stock and suffered from woefully imprecise handling. From the advice on threads on this and other boards, I was to attack this from three angles: the struts (now done), the bushings (up next), and replacing the cheap, albeit new, tires (in the future).
For the struts, I had purchased a spring compressor and disassembled/reassembled the struts myself using the new KYB GR2/Excel-G strut bodies, new Montecarlo springs, and new strut top bushings. The rest of the hardware was cleaned and re-used.
The results:
The rears fit fine with no clearance issues. I can even fit a wider tire, if I desire.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...129_160001.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...129_155946.jpg
The fronts were a different story and I now know why there are so many varying opinions regarding whether the X1/9 KYBs are a direct bolt-in or require modification: I ended not opting for elongating the holes in the strut's lower mounting flange as advised by Matt in a previous post, just so I can see how much interference, if any, I would have. I was able to mount the wheel, but I had 1mm or less clearance between the tire sidewall and lower spring perch (stock tire and 5mm spacer).
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_161305.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_161110.jpg
I had additional 5mm spacers in my drawer, so I added one to each side. So now my front track has widened by 10mm, but the wheels fit on (still retaining hub-centricity, as well) and there's now a comfortable amount of clearance.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_163714.jpg
Anyone aware of handling implications of this type of modification to the suspension setup?
Finally, the car now looks better sitting just under an inch lower than before (the most important part of the whole project
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_164435.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_164456.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y12...212_164515.jpg
So far, so good, but I can't wait to try it out! I wanna do it now before other mods roll on, but the salt used here in Michigan winters prevents me from doing that.
T. J.
