Hoping people that have completed a coilover install can help here. When installing the spring top plate should it sit "on top" of the shocker ie: the threaded section providing a fixed seat or should I be drilling it out to slide up and down on the actual shocker piston keeping the spring captive if the suspension droops at full travel? If the latter, wouldn't it damage the shocker?

Reason I am asking is I have seen a lot of pictures that have the spring top plate well down the shocker following the springs travel. I am trying to work out where to mount the tubes to get the right ride height and I don't want to have to do it twice.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Craig.

Top plate should sit on the shoulder of the shaft. below the threaded section. If it slides it will be noisy and damage your shaft.

That's what I thought too Mickas but I have seen photos of it done the other way. I don't like the idea of an alloy plate grinding up and down my Koni's. I am still a bit unsure about this whole conversion thing but will press on.

Craig.

If you design the package correctly you won't have the spring coming loose on full suspension extension... If you can't you just use a helper spring...

I found that with 400lb/8" front springs, even with an 80mm helper spring, I cannot set the car at a normal ride height and keep the spring captive. I would have to run the car about 1" higher than standard to keep the spring captive, let alone making it 2" lower than standard.

Moral of the story? Standard Mk2 front shocks are way too long in their travel for a lowered highly sprung car.

Lower rate springs would help, as they compress more so the car sits lower.

Ash

Get longer springs??

drill it to 5/8 or 16mm hole craig.
mount the threaded tube approx 2inch from top of strut, thats where i have mine, still have heaps of adjustment.
feel free to call or txt me if you need any info.

I have this Q too as i am about to go down this path.
I have seen also the plate on the shaft and thought it wierd.
Any suggestions on spring lenght/weight?
Any pics?

Do you want a nice road car, or good track setup?

250lbs/in for road, 350-400 for track.

Shorter springs help with tyre clearance if you have a lot of +ve offset (although I know you want 0 offset, so if you get it, then spring length shouldnt matter - apart from the extra weight :) ).

As I mentioned earlier in this post, if you go for a high spring rate (350-400), you'll need the longest helper spring you can get to keep them captive (or a short travel shock). Longer springs wont help, as they compress the same amount for the same spring rate as a shorter spring.

Hi Ash.
Heavy road use.
I see you've been reading [(#)]
Ok - most of that went over my head.
What is a helper spring. Do i have to have one. (i've never heard of them.)
How does spring length effect offset?
Should i just go buy a lowered 2L spring and be done with it.