BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

I have somewhat of a unique situation. With my MS Kit and MS Springs/Schocks and 19" rims, my car is 5" off the ground at the front bumper point. This was just fine until recently.

I need to have my car transported across the ocean, and the shipping company won't take a car that is under 5.5", and they recommend it actually be no less than 6". This makes sense because as my car is now, I can't jack it up with a normal floor jack unless we drive up on blocks first, hydraulic lifts can't get underneath it, and at home i have to use a Low-Profile Racing Jack to get it off the ground. I definetely do not want to risk damaging my car during shipping, and I have a feeling if i put the stock springs back on.. it still won't be high enough.

So my question is this. For coilover owners, do you know how high your car can get? Also, if anyone else knows of a less expensive way to raise up the car... i'm all ears.

BTW, if i do end up having to buy a set of coilovers... my Mazdaspeed Springs/Shocks will be up for sale very soon... priced to sell IMMEDIATELY!!

-hS

IZoomZoomI

I think for most coilovers the lowest point would still be lower than stock. What I suggest you doing is taking off your front bumper, and transport it that way, and find someway to get the bumper with you. No other way, you're going to have to un-install the kit itself.

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Even without the front bumper the side skirts still sit at the same height... 5", and taking those off is damn near impossible.


-hS

CASANOVA

I worked for BMW A few years ago.When they come off the truck,most of the cars have a plastic donut like object that is clamped onto the shock. Its like a plastic bushing that keeps the car high. the only way to remove it, is to lift it up, reach through the coils and pull it out. Your best bet is to contact high end transporters. Try http://www.thenewautotoystore.com/index.htm Ask them how to trasport.

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Interesting... the lady at the shipping place mentioned people using spacers. Do you know how much higher that set the car? Even if it was just an inch... i think that combined with super cheap used tires with insane side profiles... might just do the trick.

-hS

zaglo6204

well if the spacers don't work out, i'll be waiting for your MS stuff

good luck though, that would suck to have to spend all that extra money...

Bindon

Cheap 24" rims :-p
Other then that, try taking the shock body off, and get a solid aasembly made up for you, use the top flange from the stock piece, and a solid bar instead of a spring shock combo, it will be VERY temporary, as you cant drive with it, but you can make the bar however long you want and stick it in there to give you that extra room.


Just trying to help by brainstorming.

check it out and let us know if it will work!

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

I'll be the first to bite, why is the car being shipped across the ocean??? Are you relocating or mods??? Regardless, good luck, and I'm interested in the ms shocks if you do go the coil-over route.

dsmdriver

iTrader: (3)

I bet you can get almost 1" out of the shock mounts if you don't drive it much this way.

Jack the car up.

Unbolt the three bolts that hold the front shock assembly to the body under the hood.

The shock will drop out of these holes. Get some washers and stack them on the studs that poke out of the upper shock mount. Use as many as you can while still having some threads exposed to put the nuts back on.

Re-tighten the bolts.

This will raise your car by at least as high as how many washers you could cram in there. It will probably raise it more at the front due to the angle change, but lower the tail a bit as well.

This will mess up your alignment with the washers installed and will not be safe to drive in any extreme way, but it will raise the car and be safe to drive on and off of a transporter.

For some pre-load you can also loosen and droop the upper a-arm body side bolts. When tight these pinch a rubber bushing and resist motion. When installing a new suspension, if you don't tighten these at equal points, you'll ride different on each side. If you loosen tem, droop them as far as possible, tighten, and put the car back together, this will add some height as well (like a stiffer spring). This will hose your alignment for sure.

Also, every adjustable coilover I have ever seen allows you to go higher than stock if you want, so that works too.

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for all the suggestions fellas.
I called RP today, and they suggested picking up some rubber donut coil spacers from O'Reillys Auto Parts, to see if that works. Thats what they use to transport FDs.

I think i'll start there, and work on more ghetto transmorations from that.

I gave thought to the excessive washer idea.. and it doesnt sound so bad.

Cheap high profile 19" tires can also work, but that involves shipping out my good tires... at that price, it would probably be better just to get coilovers

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

I'm transporting it japan to have it fully transformed by Re-Amemiya to Touge specs.
More Power from the turbo, fully customized suspsension, 400+ lbs in weight reduction, and Body WOrk/Paint.






I wish.
Actually, i'm moving to Hawaii in August, and want to have the car ready for me when i get there.

-hS

zaglo6204

I called dibs first, for the record...

I must say you will have one psycho car with all that work done. What are Touge specs, & by fully customized suspension, does that mean you will indeed be getting rid of the MS gear?? Either way, sounds awesome. We'll all be waiting for updates.

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

ummm.. the Re-Amemiya stuff was a joke.

The only thing im getting done to the car is ghetto rigging a lift kit to get it accross the ocean. All future mods have been postponed till 2008.

RA-Eight

iTrader: (6)

You mean you're not going to be the next Touge Monster??? :p

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

I Am The Touge Monster!!!!!

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

try the rubber spacers, I have a bunch back in Fort Worth but I won't be back there until next weekend

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

lol...

HiTMaNN

A brown guy in Hawaii? Ha that is gonna be a sight

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

TeamRX8,
I picked up the metal adjustable ones today from O'Reillys. Do you think the rubber ones will work better. They had those as well.

HiTMaNN,
I'm the lighter shade of brown... so it should be cool.

-hS