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[markrnorton]

Just a couple of questions ( please don't take this as criticism per se - I'm hoping to help you do a better job )

What are you doing about the suspension geometry ? those upper arms look mighty short from the photos.

Also, I can't see any anti-dive or anti-squat engineered in.

lastly, do remember that the Omega bottom ball joint is designed such that the spring and damper forces are going through the top of the strut, rather than through the joint itself. You'll be in a position where the spring/damper loads are trying to pull apart the ball joint, which it certainly wasn't designed for.

but, what a great project tho. I've often thought that the 54 degree engine was tailor-made for transplanting into such a vehicle.

Fair points.
So far as anti dive, i am hoping weight distribution and spring rates will cope to a degree with this, difficult to say until car is finished. the upper wishbone fixing points to the chassis are the original ones so there was little or no scope there to alter the upper wishbone angle relative to the horizon.
Anti squat at the rear has more scope, as this has not been made yet. I do however want some squat under acceleration.

Upper arms are quite short, but with the 3/4" joint they were close to the original suspensions length, plus front droop to full compression give 75mm of vertical travel which is more than enough.
Geometry is a replication of the original, but with full adjustment, i have also added slightly more caster angle to aid self centreing.

Lower ball joint. yes this was a consideration, it was used for a bit of convienience but i did consider it will work for 2 main reasons
1. this car is approx 1/3 of the weight of the Omega so loading will be reduced
2. this car will purely be a sunday drive, if there is a slow failure of the joint changing it every 2 years isnt a big deal
But, if it does cause an issue i will replace accordingly.

 

[Dishevelled Den]

A splendid thread - well done.

[MV6Matt]

A splendid thread - well done.

What he said
Brilliant thread!

[markrnorton]

Just as a further note on front geometry, kpi angle and consequent projection is within 5mm of wheel centre.

Will be completing the steering rack tomorrow

[2woody]

The Spitfire suspension is actually quite competent, with the possible exception of the screw-trunnion thingy ( which you've replaced ).

It wasn't designed by Triumph, tho. Years ago, there was a company called Alford and Adler ( A & A ), who were a sort of rival to GKN & Burman, making steering components and suspension bits. Theay also had two complete front suspensions on their shelves - a small one and a large one. The small one is the "Triumph" one, used by a few other people as well, like Reliant, Otosan and even a couple of Formula 1 cars.

The large one is the one used on TR6 and the Reliant Scimitar ( SE5/SE6 ).

Don't forget to use the solid steering rack mounts !

[markrnorton]

The Spitfire suspension is actually quite competent, with the possible exception of the screw-trunnion thingy ( which you've replaced ).

It wasn't designed by Triumph, tho. Years ago, there was a company called Alford and Adler ( A & A ), who were a sort of rival to GKN & Burman, making steering components and suspension bits. Theay also had two complete front suspensions on their shelves - a small one and a large one. The small one is the "Triumph" one, used by a few other people as well, like Reliant, Otosan and even a couple of Formula 1 cars.

The large one is the one used on TR6 and the Reliant Scimitar ( SE5/SE6 ).

Don't forget to use the solid steering rack mounts !

I know the Triumph front end would have been ok, i just wanted to update it and 'beef it up' a little 

Strangely enough i have just ordered the solid steering rack mounts this morning

Thanks for the info

[markrnorton]

Been sorting the steering rack today, fitting the new gaitors was fiddley, especially when the shafts are greased. got the n/s on ok, but the o/s was a git. in the end i soaked it in boiling water for a few minutes and let it soften. went on a treat then.

Tried the new spitfire track rod ends and bugger me they were loose in the Omega's hub steering arm, taper was to small by about 1.2mm. In the end sourced a larger taper set down the motor spares, these are off a Stag, same 1/2" UNF thread but just the job (see pic below). They fit tight into the steering arm now.


Rack is now waiting for the solid alloy mounts to arrive, should be tomorrow hopefully, then i can get that bolted down and the track rods ends nipped up.

[Varche]

Tremendous thread Mark. Well done and thanks for the updates and photos.

[markrnorton]

Got the alloy rack mounts this morning, fitted perfectly on the rack.
All the rack is now nipped up and the track rods fitted and nipped, cant do a final setup until the car is finished

Looking tidy now i think.



Time now to move to the rear and get the Nissan back end cleaned up and wishbones fabricated and diff mount sorted. This may take a few weeks !

[feeutfo]

It might be the angle of the photo, now bare with me as I don't know the name for it, but if a line was projected through the botom pin ball joint to hub, and the ball joint above it on the top wishbone, the angle from vertical looking from head on looks quite steep to me.
In other words the wheel might lean over quite alot in full lock/approaching full lock. Is that within limits for this type of design?

Or us it just the camera angle...?


Looks a cracking project though. If only I had the time and didn't want a vxr8

[05omegav6]

It might be the angle of the photo, now bare with me as I don't know the name for it, but if a line was projected through the botom pin ball joint to hub, and the ball joint above it on the top wishbone, the angle from vertical looking from head on looks quite steep to me.
In other words the wheel might lean over quite alot in full lock/approaching full lock. Is that within limits for this type of design?

Or us it just the camera angle...?


Looks a cracking project though. If only I had the time and didn't want a vxr8

If you project a line from the bottom ball joint to where the original top mount would have 
been, and then drop a line vertically, it will be near as damn it where the top ball joint is me thinks

[feeutfo]

It might be the angle of the photo, now bare with me as I don't know the name for it, but if a line was projected through the botom pin ball joint to hub, and the ball joint above it on the top wishbone, the angle from vertical looking from head on looks quite steep to me.
In other words the wheel might lean over quite alot in full lock/approaching full lock. Is that within limits for this type of design?

Or us it just the camera angle...?


Looks a cracking project though. If only I had the time and didn't want a vxr8

If you project a line from the bottom ball joint to where the original top mount would have 
been, and then drop a line vertically, it will be near as damn it where the top ball joint is me thinks

well this it, to me from that shot it "looks" a fair bit further inboard to the original top shock mount position. Although this is a different application.

Feel like I'm being picky though, cracking project. Would learn a lot from a build like this.

[markrnorton]

Gents, King Pin Inclination
Thats what you was after

No, you aren't being picky. It is quite steep, but appears ok on turning the wheels, and the projected line/angle hits the centre of the wheel at the ground horizon, so it looks ok.
I am however going to make a second set of upper arms (shallower angle) just to see the difference and incase the primary arms create an 'evil' handling car 

Does that make sense !
Anyhow, all comments are welcomed as nobody knows or always see's everything

cheers guys

[dbug]

Gents, King Pin Inclination
Thats what you was after

No, you aren't being picky. It is quite steep, but appears ok on turning the wheels, and the projected line/angle hits the centre of the wheel at the ground horizon, so it looks ok.
I am however going to make a second set of upper arms (shallower angle) just to see the difference and incase the primary arms create an 'evil' handling car 

Does that make sense !
Anyhow, all comments are welcomed as nobody knows or always see's everything

cheers guys

Ah takes me back - self centering on non power assisted systems and sufficient scrub radius so that you can turn the wheel reasonably easily

[feeutfo]

Gents, King Pin Inclination
Thats what you was after

No, you aren't being picky. It is quite steep, but appears ok on turning the wheels, and the projected line/angle hits the centre of the wheel at the ground horizon, so it looks ok.
I am however going to make a second set of upper arms (shallower angle) just to see the difference and incase the primary arms create an 'evil' handling car 

Does that make sense !
Anyhow, all comments are welcomed as nobody knows or always see's everything

cheers guys

it certainly does make sense Mark
Now if I'd done something like that I'd be hacked off (if indeed it is a problem at all) but if you can fabricate that easily, well, who cares. Just bang out an altered part. All part of the process i guess? Cracking skill set you have there.
Look forward to further instalments. Love it.