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Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 6:58 pm
by Ol'fogasaurus
Its complicated but you are right on the half-shaft/drive axles having to be longer or shorter depending.
The bus trans being wider than the stock sedan transaxle is one piece of the formula and the length of travel you are intending can also make a difference... up to the point of interference between the drive axle vs. the trans and/or stub axle. The trailing arm for length (for longer travel) and/or width (for a wider wheel base) or a combination of the two is another factor.
I seem to remember that there was/might be trailing arms for a narrower width/wheel base also but I am not completely sure that they are still doing that.
Lee
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2019 6:24 pm
by vw1970
I've made a it of progress in the few months since my last post which is really nice to see since it's starting to look like a car now!
Here's a few pics of the rear suspension setup partially welded in place. everything is within tolerance within reason and prior to welding. The camber and toe measurements are within .5* of target in initial setup.
also got the new trans mount in place to fit the new bulkhead and place the driveshaft higher in the tunnel to correct the output angle of the driveshaft that mounts up at 1* from square with shift tunnel.
engine is mostly a long block aside for making a few modifications to a few components to account for the altered ground clearance
IMG_20190831_190919 by
Travis L, on Flickr
IMG_20190831_190745 by
Travis L, on Flickr
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2019 3:43 pm
by vw1970
put the body back on this weekend and mounted the rear tires and i'm happy with the camber angles and tire placement but am not super happy with the fender gap. will probably need spacers which are widely available for subaru aplications and can scoop some up down the road sometime. next ill be looking at the front suspension layout and deciding where to mount the steering rack, front diff and springs
IMG_20190908_163450 by
Travis L, on Flickr
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:46 pm
by panel
Looks like you're building a SEMA car !
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:39 pm
by vw1970
panel wrote: ↑Thu Sep 12, 2019 9:46 pm
Looks like you're building a SEMA car !
Thanks Panel, that means a lot coming from you! I believe we've had interactions on the samba in various ways regarding my mega squirted car prior to this build and you've been nothing but extremely professional, Cheers! Here is said car;
IMG_20160923_144405 by
Travis L, on Flickr
here are a few updates.
Finally got the engine buttoned up. It's a 2009 Sti short block from Subaru in a fancy Subaru crate and some ej205 heads that I had laying around. This combination would in the Subaru performance community be called an "hybrid" engine. The turbo pictured is a gt3071r eBay clone with a .63ar hot side, billet compressor wheel and v band outlet at $400 is a sweet little starting turbo that flows lust a little more than an OEM equipped turbo for this engine. I fabbed up the header trying to simulate the uneven header that causes that subi rumble that everyone loves so much! It was also my first time designing and 3d printing mitter templates in solid works. I think the modeled collectors came out sweet? I'm still getting the odds and ends shorted and I'll add photos of a few of those things as i get to them.
IMG_20200326_134727 by
Travis L, on Flickr
IMG_20200328_180703 by
Travis L, on Flickr
IMG_20200417_183040 by
Travis L, on Flickr
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:23 pm
by panel
Almost the same exhaust !!!!

Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 9:48 pm
by CBDZ
Very nice.
Any pictures of these miter templates? I am working on an exhaust system too, and thought about making bent section, collector, and miter templates in Fusion 360, and 3D printing them as well.
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:07 am
by vw1970
Haha it looks like great minds think alike panel! you have a link to you build thread?
CBDZ wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 9:48 pm
Very nice.
Any pictures of these miter templates? I am working on an exhaust system too, and thought about making bent section, collector, and miter templates in Fusion 360, and 3D printing them as well.
I like solidworks but only because that is what im familiar with. The templates are split down the middle clamshell style since they wouldn't slide onto the end of thepre welded long section. super simple to model actually. Here's a few pics of the process for you;
IMG_20200326_140036 by
Travis L, on Flickr
IMG_20200326_130203 by
Travis L, on Flickr
IMG_20200326_122048 by
Travis L, on Flickr
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 8:00 pm
by ajdenette
That is some creative use of 3D printing I like it!
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 1:18 pm
by assign
I would love to purchase your files/ plans for your suspension. Please let me know if you are interested.
Thanks!
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 3:28 pm
by panel
vw1970 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 30, 2020 8:07 am
Haha it looks like great minds think alike panel! you have a link to you build thread?
Check the link in my signature for my build thread....

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Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 7:03 pm
by vw1970
here is a long over due update pic with no explanation;
IMG_20211022_193831 by
Travis L, on Flickr
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:22 pm
by panel
Beautiful !
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Sat Nov 06, 2021 9:41 am
by GaunchLauncherII
WOW!! what you are doing is amazing. looks perfect and well thought out.
Re: Custom a-arm suspension
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2021 4:52 pm
by Lo Cash John
WOW!!!!