Hi-Tech suspension question

Dave V · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2001, 08:48 AM

I have not made any modifications to my Hi-Tech suspension. I have only had the car on the track twice, but both times the car seemed to be very soft with a lot of sway side to side. I also have an excessive weight transfer from front to back on acceleration and braking.

I have been following the tread on Cobraforum concerning suspension changes on the IRS FFR's. What changes have the Hi-Tech owners made to reduce the sway? Would changing the springs to a heavier spring make that much of a difference? Almost all of my driving is on the street but I would like to have better handling when I do go out to the track.

Thanks for your help.

Dave V

coyled · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2001, 11:59 AM

Dave, if the cars rolls in a corner and then sets nicely, it is your shocks. Same thing happend to me. As far as spring rates, I have the 427sc hi-tech with a 358ci motor, I am running 450 pound fronts with a sway bar, 600 pound rears, no rear sway bar. The car has a low speed push but goes away in corners over 75 mph, hope this helps. scott.

Specialk · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2001, 04:27 PM

I hear Steve Sunshine (CSX4027) has a pretty ass kicking, well sorted out combo. He also has a big block. Hopefully he will reply

Kris

Dave V · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2001, 07:54 AM

Scott,

Thanks for the information. I have the original Pro Shocks and springs that were supplied from Hi-Tech. Do you know what springs and what shock park number were originally supplied by Hi-Tech. I cannot find any markings on the shocks.

On the cars performance, it does not settle right back so I am thinking that the springs are just too small.

Thanks

Dave V

coyled · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2001, 03:07 PM

Dave, I was given the wrong springs, the car would fall over. I have the pro shocks also. The tops of the springs have the pound # on them. The pro shocks also have a stamped # on them. Call pro shocks and tell them what you are doing and the #. I ddid this and sent the shocks back to them for revalveing, it was cheap and the car quit falling over. Mine is toed in 1/16 in back with -1 degree of camber, 1/32 toe in front, 5 degrees of caster, -1.5 camber. scott

aeroace · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2001, 10:26 AM

I've worked on several HI-TECH's both 289's and 427 SC's. Not one of them had sway bars. Without a sway bar, body roll will be out of control.

Dave V · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2001, 12:08 PM

Thanks guys. I am taking the car into the shop next week and I now feel like I have a direction on what to look at. Scott, I used your settings when I had my car aligned. We used a little less caster and camber than you have because almost all of my driving is on the road and they felt yours was set more for the track. Anyway I like the alignment and now am ready to deal with the body movement. Aeroace, I was confused on what you were saying. All of the Hi-Techs you work on had sway bars? Both front and rear or just front like Scott?

Thanks

Dave V

aeroace · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2001, 12:34 PM

I've workes on three HI-TECH's. Two 427SC's and one 289 fia. Not one of the cars had any swaybars, front or rear. That's three cars, zero swaybars. Were they an option?

coyled · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2001, 12:45 PM

Mine came with 250 pound rear springs, 450 fronts, and no sway bars. We went to 600's on the back and an original style front bar. The car then handled great with just a little low speed push. It would still roll , then set, which in corners close together you would really feel the effects. I then called pro shocks and found out that I had street rod(soft) shocks. I sent the shocks in for a revalve and it is way better now. The other suggestion would be a brake balance bar to get some more rear brake in your hi-tech. Mine used to dive under brakeing but now I have the adjuster, so I have lots of rear brake in the car now. good luck. scott

scottj · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2001, 02:00 PM

Coyled,

I was wondering if you've ever calculated the wheel rates with those springs? I've got Proshocks w/400# springs in the rear which calculate to a 250# wheel rate for my suspension.

Do you know your front & rear weight percentages?

I'm just trying to get an apples to apples comparison to what others are running.

Thanks,
Scott

Andy Barwick · #11 (**permalink**) 10-08-2001, 07:06 AM

Aeroace

I am in the process of setting up the suspension on my Hi-Tech 289, and have been considering fitting sway bars, any dimensions or tips would be most welcome, as its diffiult getting help this side of the pond. At present I have -1.5 deg camber on one side of the rear and -0.5 on the other, as the transverse spring is not symetrical!

Andy (alias Andy FIA)

coyled · #12 (**permalink**) 10-08-2001, 10:37 AM

Scott j and andy, The 289 hi-tech is completely different, so as suspension goes, I don't know. I also do not know my wheel rates. scott