d8usti5n Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 Im needing to replace my shocks and struts soon, was thinking coilovers would be a nice upgrade, but as far as I can tell theres zero support for aftermarket suspension parts for 1st gen brats. Has any body else found parts that suit a brat? Maybe something from another car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grisezd Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 The OE part is a coilover. Just replace like with like. You could do a different strut insert, maybe add an adjustable spring perch. But that's a lot of fabrication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d8usti5n Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 The OE part is a coilover. Just replace like with like. You could do a different strut insert, maybe add an adjustable spring perch. But that's a lot of fabrication. for the rear? Ive only ever seen shocks back there, never coilovers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grisezd Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 Whoops, missed that. Sorry. Yea, on the rear you could do a coilover. There's not much room and would require some strengthening of the upper and maybe lower mounts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d8usti5n Posted August 13, 2015 Author Share Posted August 13, 2015 Right, but finding a set, and at that ones that would match up with the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grisezd Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 That's the trick, going fully custom and getting it right. You've got to start with figuring out the wheel rate you want (force over distance, like 400lbs over the wheel makes the body go down an inch), then calculate the spring inclination and leverage ratio at the spring mount. That will get you in the ballpark. Then you adjust the calculated spring rate by the amount you want it softer or stiffer. Then you find a spring with that stiffness that will fit in your space. Finally, you get a damper (shock) made up to meet that spec and your preferences. Whew, that's a lot of work and it still might not make you as happy as you'd hoped. You learn a lot, though, which may be worth it. I went through that exercise with a Renault years ago, ended up doing all the calculations only to find out that stock springs were pretty close and a nicer set of dampers made all the difference in the world! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOONGA Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 I have "vortex / XT rear coil overs" on the rear of my second gen brat. I did have miata front coil overs but they were way too stiff so I swapped them over to my vortex / XT. have a look at this thread on Ausubaru http://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15851&page=60 and I think you could use these with just a little bit of modification to make your own top mount bracket http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-bug-Baja-Sandrail-Beetle-Adjustable-Coil-Over-Shocks-/181463898151?fits=Make%3AVolkswagen&hash=item2a40175827&vxp=mtr Does the first gen brat have a torsion bar like the second gen brat? if so you could use both types of suspension. I have mine backed off and the vortex / XT shocks work fine, but if I want to carry a heavy load I just wind up the torsion bar and not a problem. TOONGA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d8usti5n Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 Ya, the first gen has a torsion bar. So are the xt coilovers a direct swap? Or do they require some modifications? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOONGA Posted August 16, 2015 Share Posted August 16, 2015 (edited) Ya, the first gen has a torsion bar. So are the xt coilovers a direct swap? Or do they require some modifications? The bottom mount is a direct fit the top mount requires a bracket to be made so that you have a mounting point for the top rubber. this is the mount I made it shows it in use on the miata coil over here is the same bracket on a 4WD wagon shock it was way too long I would suggest making a mount that was the inverse of the one I have, so your brat isn't too high at the back. TOONGA Edited August 16, 2015 by TOONGA 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d8usti5n Posted August 16, 2015 Author Share Posted August 16, 2015 The bottom mount is a direct fit the top mount requires a bracket to be made so that you have a mounting point for the top rubber. this is the mount I made it shows it in use on the miata coil over here is the same bracket on a 4WD wagon shock it was way too long I would suggest making a mount that was the inverse of the one I have, so your brat isn't too high at the back. TOONGA Nice, thanks for all the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOONGA Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Not a problem I hope you can work something out TOONGA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLNUT77 Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Any chance I can get a pic of those mounts? Doing this to my 1st gen brat right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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