Help!! Nova Air bar coilover length

[TattooedSgt]

I have a 71 Nova and im building a tri-4 link simular to the Air Bar. what is the length of shocks that are used with the air bar set up? I was looking at buying some QA1 coilovers that have a 150-200lb spring rate with 17in extended 11 in collapsed to use with my set up. But before i by i wanna make sure that the length is correct.

Anyone have a 3rd gen nova or 1st gen camaro with a airbar. Whats the length extended from eyelet to eyelet?

[marolf101x]

Just a suggestion. . .I might be more inclined to provide these dimensions if you were at least considering our coil overs:
http://www.ridetech.com/store/coil-overs/

[dontlifttoshift]

Take it from a guy who has ridden and drove on almost every cheap coil over there is, QA1, Aldan, All American, Heidts, etc,. Spend the few extra dollars and get the RideTech shocks.

[bret]

Since you are building your own 4 link, just a couple items to keep in mind...

IN GENERAL...use the longest stroke you can feasibly fit under the car, at least a 4" stroke, preferably a 5" stroke. This will allow a long enough spring to control the car without using an unneccessarily stiff spring rate.

We have a very accurate spring rate calculator on our website as well as specific dimensions on all of our shocks. http://www.ridetech.com/tech/spring-rate-calculator/

We also have a huge database of specific vehicle weights: http://www.ridetech.com/tech/coiltech-2/

In addition, you may want to take a look at this video that explain WHY shocks matter in the first place: http://www.ridetech.com/tv/2012/06/shocks/

AND...for the guys who want to see inside the RideTech Monotube...http://www.ridetech.com/tech/coiltech/#cutaway

All this tech info is there free for the taking whether you buy, build your own, or even buy someone elses product. Of course, feel free to make a RideTech purchase if you like :)

[TattooedSgt]

this is what i have so far.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03588-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03593-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03544-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03545-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03542-1.jpg

I have considered buying the ridetech coilovers. But at 700 bucks thats a bit outta my price range. Thats why im building this setup and not just buying it. Im a fabricator in the USAF so i have the knowledge to build something like the airbar but not the money to buy it. so far with the parts that ive bought and the metal im into this setup for 350 bucks.

But i hope to get that rear up in the air this weekend and set my ride height and center the rear and zero the pinion angle. From what ive read on the spring rate the 200 lb spring was a bit stiff for the nova and many guys like the 150 175 lb spring.

Ive decided to go with the single adjustable QA1's because this car is not going to see alot of track time. Just a driver. and i have heard good things about them. And i bet there way better than the leaf springs i had.


Here's my build so far if anyones interested.http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195214

[bret]

Looks like you have a good start on the project. Don't be in a hurry to select a spring until the car is done. When it is DONE [meaning ALL the weight is in the car] go to our spring rate calculator, enter the relevant data, and buy only one set of springs.

Good luck...and have Fun!

[TattooedSgt]

Looks like you have a good start on the project. Don't be in a hurry to select a spring until the car is done. When it is DONE [meaning ALL the weight is in the car] go to our spring rate calculator, enter the relevant data, and buy only one set of springs.

Good luck...and have Fun!

I certainly appricate all your help.. so if i had bought a airbar what would be the single adjustable shock i would need? cus i know that ridetech makes good products and i havent completely ruled out buying a set.

[dontlifttoshift]

Clever, you are......

Set car at ride height, measure to see the tallest shock you can fit in and still maintain the travel that you want and need, order shocks.

It doesn't matter one bit what anyone else has done because you got your own thing going here. Your upper or lower mounts may be or can be in different locations than anyone elses car.....you can do whatever you want.

In general I like to use a shock with 5" of travel and allow for 3 to 3.5" of compression travel and leave the rest for rebound.

Did anyone from QA1 jump in here to help you out?

[TattooedSgt]

Clever, you are......

Set car at ride height, measure to see the tallest shock you can fit in and still maintain the travel that you want and need, order shocks.

It doesn't matter one bit what anyone else has done because you got your own thing going here. Your upper or lower mounts may be or can be in different locations than anyone elses car.....you can do whatever you want.

In general I like to use a shock with 5" of travel and allow for 3 to 3.5" of compression travel and leave the rest for rebound.

Did anyone from QA1 jump in here to help you out?

I was thinking about using a QA1 shock that is 17 in extended 11 inches collapesed. and since im going to drill a few holes on the leaf spring mount(the C-channel) that i have pictured above i believe i can enough suspension travel and adjust it as needed.

Sound like im on the right track????

[dontlifttoshift]

If 11" collapsed allows you to set ride height where you want it, maintain shock travel that you need, and not require a lower mount that will compromise the scrub line then yeah you are on the right track.

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

Just for reference, with our gBar and gLink (https://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_library_gBar.html)we supply a 5.15" travel Varishock (https://www.cachassisworks.com/c-177-coil-over-shocks.aspx)body and a 12" spring. The shock is 10.95 compressed and 16.10 extended. Typical spring rate for a street car with our kit is a 175 but, like Bret said, don't be afraid to leave springs until later.

[TattooedSgt]

well im still inwork with all the fabrication. I still have to make my lower bars, purchase some 5/8 bolts, make my triangle tabs for the upper bars, get my rear temporarly welded to the body once my ride height and pinion angle are set and then im going to figure out what exactly i need. I think without a doubt the QA1's will work. but before i purchace them i just wanted to get some measurements in my head before i commit to spending the cash.

[marolf101x]

If you need brackets (arm brackets, shock brackets, etc) you can find almost everything we use on these two pages:
http://www.ridetech.com/store/components/mounts-and-brackets/
http://www.ridetech.com/store/components/shock-brackets/

Be sure to run the numbers on your set up, but we use a 5.2" stroke shock on our 4-links (Compressed 11.23" - Extended 16.43"):
http://www.ridetech.com/store/coilover-shock-5.2-stroke-non-adjustable.html

I suggest you do a little research about shock options and buy parts based on some criteria other than price. Many on here will attest to the quality and performance of our monotube coil overs.
As this is a budget builI'd hate for you to spend the money twice on shocks to get what you want.

[TattooedSgt]

Heres some pics of my progress.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03611-1.jpg

The shocks i bought are the 17 in extended 11 in collaped. I plan and making some brackets that simular to the G-Bar. So the shock will be positioned off to the center of the leaf spring perch. I was thinking that it would be wise not to have such a angle when the shocks are mounted. I read some where that once the shocks are place on more than a 15 degree angle they become less effective.

Any one heard the same thing also????
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03615-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03614-1.jpg
This is the setup im going for. the plate is 1/4 inch and i dont think im going to use that channel i have hear cuz its only 1/8 in steel. I plan to get some 2 X3 rectangle tubing .188 WT and just cut one side of and do it that way. I called the metal supermarket and a 2 ft piece is about 15 bucks.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03613-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03612-1.jpg
I got some clear plastic to try to layout my upper links that mount to the axle.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03610-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03609-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03608-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/07/DSC03607-1.jpg
I got some 1 in stainless steel round stock to make some bushings to make up the space.

I hope this weekend to make some headway on the build.

Im open suggestions on the plan.