Daveyboy20 0 Posted January 22 Hi folks - very, very long time no see! I've not been around here since I sold my mkV a million years ago. I hope you don't mind this post (admins delete if it's not ok!) I am rebuilding a kitcar from the 80s called an Eagle SS. It uses Cortina 3/4/5 front subframes and suspension and Sierra rear. I'm wanting to slam it in the weeds but need to consider the best options. I need it to be adjustable so want to go coilovers but I've been told that this option is difficult on mk3 3/4/5 Cortinas? Do any of you guys have experience with this? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
disco_monkey79 29 Posted January 22 (edited) Sory I can't help re coilovers as I have no experience with them. Adjustable shocks and lowered springs are available for Mk3/4/5 though (Burton Power etc) Excellent purchase - please keep us updated! Is that one one with gull wing doors? Edited January 22 by disco_monkey79 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sheffieldcortinacentre 741 Posted January 22 (edited) If you go much more than an inch you'll start scrubbing the inside of the front tyres due to increased negative camber . If memory serves 1 degree needs the lower arm mounting bolt moving inwards 5mm. Used to run 3 degrees negative on racer (cornering was great) but tyres would be bald on inside edge in circa 4k miles on road. So you have to get adjustable arms or redrill cradle, best supplier is rally design, most places don't understand Cortina running gear as escort is king, especially Burton power. Same will happen with rear I think there used to be wedge shaped spacers for the rear bearing mounts on sierra to correct camber. Most of all remember with state of roads it will soon drive you crazy dodging potholes, speed bumps etc. If you really must have the collapsed suspension look go air ride. Edited January 22 by sheffieldcortinacentre 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daveyboy20 0 Posted January 22 1 hour ago, disco_monkey79 said: Sory I can't help re coilovers as I have no experience with them. Adjustable shocks and lowered springs are available for Mk3/4/5 though (Burton Power etc) Excellent purchase - please keep us updated! Is that one one with gull wing doors? Thanks mate! I'll keep you in the loop! This project is the main focus of my YouTube channel at the moment - let me know if you want the link :) Yes it's got the gullwings Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beeper 81 Posted January 22 Have you seen this guy on YouTube? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-W8jdFaMWw I think he's an eccentric millionaire but don't know for certain. He has an Eagle SS, and a Nova kit car, or 'abandoned super car' as he calls it, to name but two of his projects. I've not seen much of the Eagle since he got it running though and the next upcoming episode seems to be about the Nova again. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgo 80 Posted January 22 Craig question - If what I see from the photo of the front chassis/Cortina cradle on that Eagle wouldn't it (in theory) be possible to space out the top of the cradle? That way moving the upper arms outwards offsetting the negative camber effect of the lowering? I seem to remember somewhere in the vague depths of my mind a similar issue when swapping cradles between different marks of Cortina (later versions into prefacelift Mk3 or something like that??) or am I really going mad in my old age! If that might work perhaps @Daveyboy20 could take a photo and explain exactly how the upper part of the cradle is attached to those big square chassis rails What do you think? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beeper 81 Posted January 22 I've had an idea that doesn't involve springs or geometry or any technical stuff. Just let the tyres down! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sheffieldcortinacentre 741 Posted January 23 I know what you mean, but no as the upper wishbone bolt goes through a tube which is welded into/through cradle , lower is two bolt holes.( American GM 60/70s double wishbone stuff can be adjusted like you say with shims on upper arm). Unfortunately You can't alter the camber without modification or adjustable arms ( caterhams etc do this but I don't think those will fit as they only used to use the stub axle )easiest (also free) is redrilling the lower arm cradle mount holes ,. n the 90s I did one with slots instead of holes, & used some of those serrated plates off the rear axle lower mounts so it would lock adjustment in place & put some marks at 5mm increments ( eat your heart out escort boys) ,you can alter the caster via the tie bar that goes between lower arm & front of cradle. It's the only std adjustment possible ( except tracking). The front cradle could be moved up/down to alter ride height but it while raise eng/box thus altering drive line angle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sheffieldcortinacentre 741 Posted January 23 3 hours ago, Beeper said: Have you seen this guy on YouTube? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-W8jdFaMWw I think he's an eccentric millionaire but don't know for certain. He has an Eagle SS, and a Nova kit car, or 'abandoned super car' as he calls it, to name but two of his projects. I've not seen much of the Eagle since he got it running though and the next upcoming episode seems to be about the Nova again. That's a polite name for him. His supercar is the remains of a clapped out beetle with a lump of fibreglass coach bolted to it , these pound shop mike brewers drive me crazy it's like advanced faceache i can't watch/listen/interact with these people. I don't claim to be any sort of expert I'm still learning amassing info,but my replies/advice are based on 40 years of experience ( especially of mk3-4-5-P100) which I hope will help others save them wasting hard earned time & money on things that don't fit/work ,etc. I've been striving to be be an eccentric millionaire all my life unfortunately I've only mastered the first part. 1 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Mack 329 Posted January 23 6 hours ago, sheffieldcortinacentre said: That's a polite name for him. His supercar is the remains of a clapped out beetle with a lump of fibreglass coach bolted to it , these pound shop mike brewers drive me crazy it's like advanced faceache i can't watch/listen/interact with these people. I don't claim to be any sort of expert I'm still learning amassing info,but my replies/advice are based on 40 years of experience ( especially of mk3-4-5-P100) which I hope will help others save them wasting hard earned time & money on things that don't fit/work ,etc. I've been striving to be be an eccentric millionaire all my life unfortunately I've only mastered the first part. ^^^^ Straight talking enthusiast speak right there !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
disco_monkey79 29 Posted January 23 (edited) 14 hours ago, Beeper said: Have you seen this guy on YouTube? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-W8jdFaMWw I think he's an eccentric millionaire but don't know for certain. He has an Eagle SS, and a Nova kit car, or 'abandoned super car' as he calls it, to name but two of his projects. I've not seen much of the Eagle since he got it running though and the next upcoming episode seems to be about the Nova again. Love the Nova, but its door/canopy - it looks super-cool but would surely be infuriating to live with? I would be interested to know how to the OP finds gull wings work in the real world. Edited January 23 by disco_monkey79 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
disco_monkey79 29 Posted January 23 9 hours ago, sheffieldcortinacentre said: That's a polite name for him. His supercar is the remains of a clapped out beetle with a lump of fibreglass coach bolted to it , these pound shop mike brewers drive me crazy it's like advanced faceache i can't watch/listen/interact with these people. I don't claim to be any sort of expert I'm still learning amassing info,but my replies/advice are based on 40 years of experience ( especially of mk3-4-5-P100) which I hope will help others save them wasting hard earned time & money on things that don't fit/work ,etc. I've been striving to be be an eccentric millionaire all my life unfortunately I've only mastered the first part. Your contributions to this forum are invaluable Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimB 94 Posted January 23 10 hours ago, sheffieldcortinacentre said: That's a polite name for him. His supercar is the remains of a clapped out beetle with a lump of fibreglass coach bolted to it , these pound shop mike brewers drive me crazy it's like advanced faceache i can't watch/listen/interact with these people. I don't claim to be any sort of expert I'm still learning amassing info,but my replies/advice are based on 40 years of experience ( especially of mk3-4-5-P100) which I hope will help others save them wasting hard earned time & money on things that don't fit/work ,etc. I've been striving to be be an eccentric millionaire all my life unfortunately I've only mastered the first part. Well said that man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daveyboy20 0 Posted January 23 (edited) 14 hours ago, dgo said: Craig question - If what I see from the photo of the front chassis/Cortina cradle on that Eagle wouldn't it (in theory) be possible to space out the top of the cradle? That way moving the upper arms outwards offsetting the negative camber effect of the lowering? I seem to remember somewhere in the vague depths of my mind a similar issue when swapping cradles between different marks of Cortina (later versions into prefacelift Mk3 or something like that??) or am I really going mad in my old age! If that might work perhaps @Daveyboy20 could take a photo and explain exactly how the upper part of the cradle is attached to those big square chassis rails What do you think? I'll be attempting to strip it down at the weekend so I'll be able to get some better pics of how it attaches to the box section of the chassis for you Edited January 23 by Daveyboy20 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daveyboy20 0 Posted January 23 11 hours ago, sheffieldcortinacentre said: I know what you mean, but no as the upper wishbone bolt goes through a tube which is welded into/through cradle , lower is two bolt holes.( American GM 60/70s double wishbone stuff can be adjusted like you say with shims on upper arm). Unfortunately You can't alter the camber without modification or adjustable arms ( caterhams etc do this but I don't think those will fit as they only used to use the stub axle )easiest (also free) is redrilling the lower arm cradle mount holes ,. n the 90s I did one with slots instead of holes, & used some of those serrated plates off the rear axle lower mounts so it would lock adjustment in place & put some marks at 5mm increments ( eat your heart out escort boys) ,you can alter the caster via the tie bar that goes between lower arm & front of cradle. It's the only std adjustment possible ( except tracking). The front cradle could be moved up/down to alter ride height but it while raise eng/box thus altering drive line angle. Ah - yeah that'd be no good as the engine is already slightly higher than the bonnet line (it has the Sierra 2.8i in it) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
