Anybody Interested in adjustable aluminum tophats?
02-08-2016, 03:34 PM
#1
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Anybody Interested in adjustable aluminum tophats?
Last night I was wondering how to best figure out exactly by how much to extend my tophats for my Bilstein coilovers. And I only want to do that once and do it right. But it looks like tophat extension is very much trial and error.
So the idea for adjustable tophats (quick sketch) was born:
Adjustable tophat top view
Adjustable tophat bottom view
I still need to figure out how to jam the hat insert in the baseplate. Lock nut? Set screw?
I have a friend with a machine shop who could definitely make them. But at just a set of four the programming and fixturing would be a bit much and cost per piece would be too high.
So I had the idea of a group buy. Is anybody interested? What would an interesting price point be for a set of four?
Datapoints on price:
- A set of four absolutely gorgeous 949 "blemished" billet tophats for Bilsteins runs at $424 + shipping
- A set of four kinda basic ISC tophats is $164 + shipping
So price would have to be somewhere in between, hopefully closer to the ISC price point.
Let the feature-creep begin!
So the idea for adjustable tophats (quick sketch) was born:
Adjustable tophat top view
Adjustable tophat bottom view
I still need to figure out how to jam the hat insert in the baseplate. Lock nut? Set screw?
I have a friend with a machine shop who could definitely make them. But at just a set of four the programming and fixturing would be a bit much and cost per piece would be too high.
So I had the idea of a group buy. Is anybody interested? What would an interesting price point be for a set of four?
Datapoints on price:
- A set of four absolutely gorgeous 949 "blemished" billet tophats for Bilsteins runs at $424 + shipping
- A set of four kinda basic ISC tophats is $164 + shipping
So price would have to be somewhere in between, hopefully closer to the ISC price point.
Let the feature-creep begin!
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02-08-2016, 03:41 PM
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Last night I was wondering how to best figure out exactly by how much to extend my tophats for my Bilstein coilovers. And I only want to do that once and do it right. But it looks like tophat extension is very much trial and error.
So the idea for adjustable tophats (quick sketch) was born:
[IMG ]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=161642&dateline=145496 3696[/IMG]
Adjustable tophat top view
[IMG ]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=161643&dateline=145496 3696[/IMG]
Adjustable tophat bottom view
I still need to figure out how to jam the hat insert in the baseplate. Lock nut? Set screw?
I have a friend with a machine shop who could definitely make them. But at just a set of four the programming and fixturing would be a bit much and cost per piece would be too high.
So I had the idea of a group buy. Is anybody interested? What would an interesting price point be for a set of four?
Datapoints on price:
- A set of four absolutely gorgeous 949 "blemished" billet tophats for Bilsteins runs at $424 + shipping
- A set of four kinda basic ISC tophats is $164 + shipping
So price would have to be somewhere in between, hopefully closer to the ISC price point.
Let the feature-creep begin!
So the idea for adjustable tophats (quick sketch) was born:
[IMG ]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=161642&dateline=145496 3696[/IMG]
Adjustable tophat top view
[IMG ]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=161643&dateline=145496 3696[/IMG]
Adjustable tophat bottom view
I still need to figure out how to jam the hat insert in the baseplate. Lock nut? Set screw?
I have a friend with a machine shop who could definitely make them. But at just a set of four the programming and fixturing would be a bit much and cost per piece would be too high.
So I had the idea of a group buy. Is anybody interested? What would an interesting price point be for a set of four?
Datapoints on price:
- A set of four absolutely gorgeous 949 "blemished" billet tophats for Bilsteins runs at $424 + shipping
- A set of four kinda basic ISC tophats is $164 + shipping
So price would have to be somewhere in between, hopefully closer to the ISC price point.
Let the feature-creep begin!
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02-08-2016, 03:53 PM
#3
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I was thinking about that too. But with Ebay parts you never get consistency, so even if we find parts that work this time around, if we want to do it again a year from now, those exact parts may not be available anymore. And my Allstar sleeves don't really seem to have enough meat to increase the ID to 2.1" or more so the dampers can slide in and out.
And yes, I understand that the above sentence with "meat" and "slide in and out" will elicit some responses.
And yes, I understand that the above sentence with "meat" and "slide in and out" will elicit some responses.
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02-08-2016, 03:57 PM
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Allstar Performance 2.5 in. Coil-Over Kits ALL64146 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
Allstar also makes 2.5" sleeves. Unfortunately that would require making the holes in the chassis larger. I've actually done that on my chassis with a 2.5" hole saw, but this would have to be slightly larger. I used 2.5" OD pipe for my top hats, these would be 2.5" ID.
Allstar also makes 2.5" sleeves. Unfortunately that would require making the holes in the chassis larger. I've actually done that on my chassis with a 2.5" hole saw, but this would have to be slightly larger. I used 2.5" OD pipe for my top hats, these would be 2.5" ID.
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02-08-2016, 04:01 PM
#5
That wouldn't work with my allstar sleeves on 99AE billies.
The allstar sleeve has two locating bosses inside, you can only really trim it down ~1" otherwise you cut the locating boss off.
So, that extended sleeve would slip over the shock body and contact the sleeve.
The allstar sleeve has two locating bosses inside, you can only really trim it down ~1" otherwise you cut the locating boss off.
So, that extended sleeve would slip over the shock body and contact the sleeve.
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02-08-2016, 04:13 PM
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Allstar Performance 2.5 in. Coil-Over Kits ALL64146 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing
Allstar also makes 2.5" sleeves. Unfortunately that would require making the holes in the chassis larger. I've actually done that on my chassis with a 2.5" hole saw, but this would have to be slightly larger. I used 2.5" OD pipe for my top hats, these would be 2.5" ID.
Allstar also makes 2.5" sleeves. Unfortunately that would require making the holes in the chassis larger. I've actually done that on my chassis with a 2.5" hole saw, but this would have to be slightly larger. I used 2.5" OD pipe for my top hats, these would be 2.5" ID.
If you use sleeves with too large a diameter, they won't fit inside the 2.5"ID springs, so we are SOL when we move them down.
I definitely need to check the size of the hole in the body to make sure the extension can actually fit. Good point!
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02-08-2016, 04:18 PM
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02-08-2016, 04:40 PM
#8
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Instead of making them adjustable you should figure out how much extension is needed. Math?
Pick your ride height, decide how much bump and droop you want.
Pick your ride height, decide how much bump and droop you want.
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02-08-2016, 04:56 PM
#11
If you can find a way to add spring locators that allow the upper spring perch to stay coaxial with the shock you'd have something, I think. Otherwise I'm not sure the limited room for adjustment would be worth the cost over ISC hats. If people aren't using helper springs the extra droop travel you could adjust back in won't do anything anyway. If there's too much bump travel, just add spacers under the bumpstops. Droop's lost already, with no helpers...
Supermiata has 2.25" spring perches that sit on the radius of the NB hat, so as the suspension moves the upper perch can flex on the radii a bit.
The 2.25" spring perch won't clear the shock body though, not my billies. If they were machined out they would loose the spring locating tab. Something else would need to be made, I haven't found anything similar on google yet.
Supermiata has 2.25" spring perches that sit on the radius of the NB hat, so as the suspension moves the upper perch can flex on the radii a bit.
The 2.25" spring perch won't clear the shock body though, not my billies. If they were machined out they would loose the spring locating tab. Something else would need to be made, I haven't found anything similar on google yet.
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02-08-2016, 05:03 PM
#14
If you could get it under $200 for a set of four I would definitely buy a set. I almost bought a set of ISC top hats when I did the Allstar/Bilstein setup on my NB, but I think you have to enlarge the hole in the body to make them fit. I've always wanted to play with droop/compression travel/bump stops, but didn't want to spend the time/money on the ISC top hats that might not have done what I wanted.
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02-08-2016, 05:30 PM
#16
I'd say a simple coaxial spring locator with normal NB bushing on the top shock shaft and a little cup for a piece of bumpstop up top, basically budget baller billies with more bump, I'd pay ~$75-100 a corner for that.
Even without the adjustment that stuff would be worth it, ISC is raw, as is.
Even without the adjustment that stuff would be worth it, ISC is raw, as is.
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02-08-2016, 07:00 PM
#18
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I'd say a simple coaxial spring locator with normal NB bushing on the top shock shaft and a little cup for a piece of bumpstop up top, basically budget baller billies with more bump, I'd pay ~$75-100 a corner for that.
Even without the adjustment that stuff would be worth it, ISC is raw, as is.
Even without the adjustment that stuff would be worth it, ISC is raw, as is.
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