SLIGHTLY LISTING TO ONE SIDE - MORE KCC

[paulmj]

Gents,

Many thanks for the continued advice. Special thanks to the owner of the other KCC - Ian DC - for the phone number and offer of comparing notes. I'll definately give you a call to do so. I'm quite keen to bring the car over when we are both free to compare notes. That would be very useful.

Today's question is probably not thet easy to answer straight away. Thanks for the info on body alignment by the way, once I have a chance I'll get it up in the air and get a tape measure out. I think it is the body that is slightly offset as both wheels on one side stick out slightly more than on the other - I'll check the drive shafts though - thanks Paul. Anyway, getting round to today's question - does anyone know if springs from another Cob replica will fit a KCC?? As they are fairly rare here, you may not, but if you do I would be most grateful for some gen. The reason is that the car is listing slightly to the drivers side (which is probably making the body misalignment look worse - or even creating it all together!), much in the fashon of MGs etc after a few years. I suspect that the springs are just old and saggy - although the car is only 9 years old. (Is it possible that it could have the original Jag springs on?). Once I have a good look underneath, I may find adjustable spring seats (maybe - I've only had the car a couple of days so I haven't had a chance to look), in which case no problem. But if not, once I have checked chassis and body alignment to make sure nothing is bent (I'm 99% sure that nothing is) I'll need to get new springs - so if anyone can recommend a source I would be very grateful.

Thanks for your time.

Paul.

Hope to see some of you at Donnington on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[russell_ram]

>Hope to see some of you at Donnington on Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Paul,

I will be there if no rain.

As for your spring stuff, it is most likely that you will adjustable spring seats on adjustable rate dampers. They will either be 1.9 or 2.25 inch dia springs (most likely 2.25) and you can get any rate and any free length you like pretty much (from lots of places - probably Demon Tweaks is best bet).
And if you haven't got adjustables then you can certainly get a set to fit (from eg. AVO).

Best thing to do is to see what you have fitted (springs should be etched with rate, open and closed damper length etc) before jumping in.

Russ

[460Jules]

Paul,

We another KCC, I too have one of those beasties, mine is part self built then finnished in my absence by KCC. Yet to get it through the SVA, MOT etc as the car needs some tweaks to get it ready. I am running a big block ford. Most of the KCC's used the original rear jag springs especially for the small block cars.

Good luck with your car.

All the best.

Julius

[paulmj]

Thanks for the advice guys. Julius, is that Jag XJ rear springs at the front and rear of the KCC? It looks likely now that I have had a look, as they are not adjustable in any way and they feel like they are meant for a heavier car. They tend to make the scuttle shake quite a lot on rough roads. I think I will try to lay my hands on some adjustable coil overs. I'll give Avo a try. Any idea what info they will need? I presume dimensions of the fixing eyes at the end and rate which could be tricky. That said if I know the distance between the upper and lower shock mounting points at normal ride hight, as they know the weight of you average Cob replica, which probably won't vary much, they can probably sort me out right? I'll try them anyway, thanks Russel.
Also, another one for Julius: Do you suffer from the odd alignment of the body as well. There is nothing bent on the chassis and the suspension looks put together correctly (it was a pro build after all) so I am wondering of I have a wheel odity (maybe front and rear have diferent offsets and both back ones have ended up on one side of the car by mistake - dafter things have happened!), or whether the body moulds just aren't too accurate. What is yours like?

Thanks fellas, hope to see you Saturday Russ!!

Paul.

[russell_ram]

"Jag XJ rear springs at the front and rear"

If it is, I'm not too suprised that you think the ride is a little harsh and that the scuttle shakes. The spring rates will be much too high because of difference in weight of Cobra vs donor Jag (but then alot of people run their Cobs with springs that I think are much too stiff!).

"Any idea what info they will need?"

As an absolute minimum, required damper fitted length.

However to specify the damper/spring rates properly they will need (seperately for front and rear):-
Damper fitted length, corner weights (individual), damper installed angle from vertical, length of wishbone inner pivot to damper lower mount, length of wishbone from inner pivot to tyre contact patch centre, angle of wishbone to horizontal, corner unsprung weights (wheel+hubs+half wishbone), desired front/rear bounce frequencies (between saloon car 2.4 Hz ish and very (too) stiff sports car @ about 3.5Hz). And probably a couple of other things that I've forgotten!!

Russ