Coilover sleeves : Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Feb. 18, 2011 1:48 p.m. gjz30075 Reader

I'm trying to get a decent (inexpensive) set of coilover threaded sleeves with spring perches for my Lotus. The Lotus suppliers have them but are outrageously expensive. So, I see a million of them on ebay for just about every application out there for pretty reasonable money. Even with shipping. And I don't even need/want the springs. However, none of the vendors want to answer my question on specs because, I'm guessing, they're just middlemen and are drop shipping from the source.

Does anyone know what application has a 2" i.d. sleeve that's about 6" long? Or even longer; I don't care, I can cut 'em. Thanks!
Feb. 18, 2011 1:54 p.m. nderwater HalfDork

There's an enormous thread on Miata.net about eBay coilovers sets - http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=289656

I just got a set of one of the more popular sleeves & springs kits (OBX brand) which guys have had success installing on Konis, Bilsteins and Tokicos. I can measure them for you when I get home this evening.
Feb. 18, 2011 2:01 p.m. bravenrace SuperDork

In reply to nderwater:

Do you have any feel for how they compare to say, Ground Control.
Feb. 18, 2011 2:06 p.m. nderwater HalfDork

In a nutshell, the kit is a Chinese knockoff of the Ground Control kit for Miata's. The component dimensions, spring rates and build materials are similar, but the q/c is lower - a trade-off for paying 1/5 the price.
Feb. 18, 2011 2:08 p.m. ditchdigger HalfDork

pick and choose everything you need though speedway

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Coilover-Kits,2184.html
Feb. 18, 2011 3:17 p.m. bluej HalfDork

there was another manufacturer that was recommended here like last week. it was initially for springs but they have all the hardware. the prices were fantastic as well.

ah, here we are: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/black-magic-springs-by-southwest-speed/...
Feb. 18, 2011 7:04 p.m. jimbbski Reader

https://www.lefthanderchassis.com/v2a/viewproduct_group.asp?idgroup=2513143

Almost all CO sleeves are 2 inch ID. Not all but most.

https://www.lefthanderchassis.com/v2a/viewproduct_group.asp?idgroup=2513133 https://www.lefthanderchassis.com/v2a/viewproduct_group.asp?idgroup=2513188
Feb. 18, 2011 8:47 p.m. erohslc Reader

Also check out Coleman, if you have the patience: http://www.colemanracing.com/default.aspx I think their 'new' site sucks ass, can't find a damn thing there, but the products are great.
Feb. 19, 2011 6:34 a.m. gjz30075 Reader

Thanks guys! Another question about the perches themselves: I noticed some are a single perch and I'm guessing they are held tight by a set screw? Others have a second, threaded ring below the perch itself to lock the perch in place. I prefer the latter but any downside to the set screw type? Doesn't seem it'll do the job as well as the locking type. Thanks
Feb. 19, 2011 8:31 a.m. m4ff3w SuperDork

When I built the coilovers for my VOlvo 745t, I went with Coleman for the sleeves & fleabay for used AFCO springs.

I didn't have a problem with the set screw at all.
Feb. 19, 2011 10:00 a.m. Ojala New Reader

You see, this is what I come to GRM for. I never would have known about any of this if not for this place.

---heading out to measure the car.....
Feb. 19, 2011 3:46 p.m. ditchdigger HalfDork

The idea of tightening a set screw against soft aluminum threads scares me. The picture of the KW coilovers on the GRM mini showing the old location just bothers me to no end. All it takes is one person over tightening the set screw and they are either locked up or you get to spend some quality time with a needle file in a difficult to reach/see location.

I prefer the ground control/cosmo split collar style

http://www.cosmoracing.com

The Cosmo sleeves and adjusters are very nice but the spring rates are a crap shoot. I have had good luck buying individual sleeves from them. I just email and tell them I need replacement rear sleeves and adjusters for a VW rabbit. Actually in the top picture those short sleeves are the fronts from a VW rabbit kit.
Feb. 20, 2011 4:17 p.m. erohslc Reader

FYI, Speedway is having a 'garage sale', AKA closeout, on these coilover sleeves:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Garage-Sale-Coil-Over-Sleeve-and-Nut,45246.html

$22.99 (nfi, etc)
Feb. 20, 2011 8:10 p.m. Ojala New Reader

Is there anything special to know about using one of these sleeves on a strut? I don't want lowering, but I would like to be able to have a wide variety of spring rates/lengths.