S1 Suspension

When I bought the car it was equipped with the suspension as described in the build manual albeit that they were Spax adjustable shock absorbers with adjustable damping - no adjustable platforms.

The book says use Triumph Spitfire or Herald coil-over assemblies with the studs cut off at the front, and Hillman Imp front shocker assemblies complete at the back. I have to wonder why when going to the expense of Spax coil-overs did the original builder not go for competition type with adjustable platforms and competition 1.9 or 2.5 ID type coil springs.

Well they had to go - so I stuck them on an Imp e-group. The Spitfire ones were not all that good so they have gone to the back of the shed.

Rather than use the pin top type of connection for the top mount I decided to make a converter so that bush type coil-overs could be fitted.

As the car will be used on the road and on the track I have fitted shocker assemblies with adjustable platforms as well as adjustable damping although the budget at present does not stretch to adjustable bump and rebound setting.

I have decided that the ride height for the track will be around 4 inches and for the road the height will be about 5 inches - the cars settings were thrown into the suspension calc program for race car setting and the springs selected accordingly.

The suspension uses 12 inch between bushes coil-overs all-round with 300lb springs up the front and 200lb springs at the back. A bit harsh but this will be sorted and corrected in due course.