After rebuilding my QA1 shocks after 10k miles or so, I've had my mind running on ways to improve the front coil over setup. From the factory the shock and spring don't line up perfectly, so the hybrid coil-over setup that is easy to install is working against itself. Add in the lack of spring rates and something different is desirable to, at least, me.
Unfortunately I've already invested in a full set of double adjustable shocks and a rebuild with the Hybrid design, but I'm finding a few options for converting to a conventional coil over setup. Both QA1 and Varishock have kits that can convert a stud top hybrid setup to a standard eye mount. QA1 also has a kit that can use the factory shock hole, but I'm not sure how well that can take the full vehicle weight load rather than just the shock.
Varishock
QA1 Eye Mount with
Spring Caps
The next step for me is to use the eye mount up front. The first ideas was to cut out the spring pocket and flatten the frame through that area, mounting the coil over on the outside of the frame. Jerome from Pro-Touring.com has already gone that route, but it moves the coilover outboard on the control arm too. I'm not interested at this stage in modifying control arms or making new ones, so I'm back to the drawing board.
http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/37235-First-Gen-S10-Corner-Carver?p=992714#post992714
I finally thought to search for what G Body cars may have available and found a few options. Both require opening up the top of the frame to pass the coilover through, but reinforce the mounting structure in some manner.
Speed Tech
Global West
I'm heading this route, but will fab something up myself. The S10 shock and control arm mounts aren't exactly the same as either of these kits, but certainly give me a good baseline to draft up some ideas. The biggest challenge I'm seeing is having enough room for the spring and spring mount to clear the upper control arm mount.
P9010242 by
TheHarley, on Flickr
Those are my thoughts so far. What other thoughts are out there?
