Need info installing DSE front Coil overs

[skeeters65]

I ordered a DSE front Coilover setup with their uppers and lowers..

I didnt get them yet but I want to start cutting the shock towers off and prepping the frame rails..

Is there a template to cut them in the kit or do you just do it by eye?

Any advice or should I wait for the kit to get here?

Thanks

[ls1 nova]

Here is a couple of pics of the first steps. Cut the control arm mounts flush at the bottom of the weld. Sorry about the slightly blury pics. Something was wrong with the camera on the first couple of pics I took of the conversion. I probably have 75 pictures of the whole process. Much better clearity. I can E-mail them to you if you would like or I can try to post them here but I am running out of space to post pics

[skeeters65]

The little bump out on the outside of the frame in the first pic stays??

Thanks

If you can sen me some more pics of the removal that would be great..

Thanks

[ls1 nova]

Sent about 70 pics. The bump according to DSE instructions stays. I guess you could fab it out but their trim rings do a nice job of finishing.

[TitoJones]

It's fairly straight forward. Cut both of the upper control arm/shock mounts off the frame:


Should look like this when completed:


Thn cut out the center of the shock hole, enlarging it so the coil over can pass through it. At that point, you can remove the engine mounts, and bolt the jig in place:



Then begin to cut the slots for the new upper mounts to slide into. Take your time on this step, the better the gap, the better the weld.



Here is the trial fitting of the new mount onto the jig/frame.



Test fit the shock:



We fully welded it after checking the travel with the modded lower control arm. In this pic we were testing different spindles and steering arm locations to get the best bumpsteer curve:


Then blast the frame, powdercoat, and re-install the chassis:


Then go drive and enjoy!



Tyler

[ls1 nova]

The only concern I had when doing this project was the coilover plates did not line up with the shock holes the same on the passenger and driver side. I sent many pics to DSE and other distributers and they confirmed this is correct. The install was smooth and easy, but have not yet put the car on the road.