Hello Retro Rides.
I have recently bought a 1989 Ford Sierra Sapphire, great car which I am enjoying very much. Build Thread Here
The standard ride height is a bit much for me. It needs to come down a bit... ok a lot!
The previous owner tells me he had some uprated dampers fitted. I have not had chance to have a look at them but they certainly feel very comfortable, but a forfeit for the comfort is the handling, the thing handles like a boat! Very wallowy. Now like I say I have no idea what dampers are on there, I will have to have a look.
Coilovers.
I've always gone with coilovers, I think they're great, height adjustable, dampening adjustable, you can set them up exactly how you want them. My problem is I can not justify the costs of £600/£700 for Gaz or Avo units. I've seen online and in a build thread on here actually that Mk1 Focus front coilovers are useable for the front end of the Sierra Sapphire. There is actually a build thread on here where someone got the fronts and rears to fit. Mk1 Focus Coilovers On a Sapphire Thread Here
I get a bit lost with the thread, it seems to suggest they're a direct fit, then it goes on to say that pipe is needed as the bottom of the strut is too narrow, so I presume this is used as some sort of sleeve. The rear spring angle also just doesn't seem quite right to me. I'm all for a little bit of fab work to get something to fit, but only If it is safe, some things I've seen just boggle the mind.
Does anyone know the i2i Length on the rear dampers for the Sapphire and if there are any other vehicles that could be retrofitted? Avo and Gaz options have a McPherson style coilover rather than an independent spring and damper set up.
Springs
I've only ever fitted one set of springs and it actually went quire well. It was to a MK5 ZS fiesta and it was pretty decent for £60 or however much they cost. What spring options are there for the Sierra? My greatest concern is having a rear end that is too low. I think it looks awful. I plan to fit some 17" or possibly even 18" wheels and I don't want the top of the tyre tucked up in the arch. I'm also concerned that my dampers will give up the ghost if I start running them outside of their usual zone of travel.
So all in all, What options do I have?
I have recently bought a 1989 Ford Sierra Sapphire, great car which I am enjoying very much. Build Thread Here
The standard ride height is a bit much for me. It needs to come down a bit... ok a lot!
The previous owner tells me he had some uprated dampers fitted. I have not had chance to have a look at them but they certainly feel very comfortable, but a forfeit for the comfort is the handling, the thing handles like a boat! Very wallowy. Now like I say I have no idea what dampers are on there, I will have to have a look.
Coilovers.
I've always gone with coilovers, I think they're great, height adjustable, dampening adjustable, you can set them up exactly how you want them. My problem is I can not justify the costs of £600/£700 for Gaz or Avo units. I've seen online and in a build thread on here actually that Mk1 Focus front coilovers are useable for the front end of the Sierra Sapphire. There is actually a build thread on here where someone got the fronts and rears to fit. Mk1 Focus Coilovers On a Sapphire Thread Here
I get a bit lost with the thread, it seems to suggest they're a direct fit, then it goes on to say that pipe is needed as the bottom of the strut is too narrow, so I presume this is used as some sort of sleeve. The rear spring angle also just doesn't seem quite right to me. I'm all for a little bit of fab work to get something to fit, but only If it is safe, some things I've seen just boggle the mind.
Does anyone know the i2i Length on the rear dampers for the Sapphire and if there are any other vehicles that could be retrofitted? Avo and Gaz options have a McPherson style coilover rather than an independent spring and damper set up.
Springs
I've only ever fitted one set of springs and it actually went quire well. It was to a MK5 ZS fiesta and it was pretty decent for £60 or however much they cost. What spring options are there for the Sierra? My greatest concern is having a rear end that is too low. I think it looks awful. I plan to fit some 17" or possibly even 18" wheels and I don't want the top of the tyre tucked up in the arch. I'm also concerned that my dampers will give up the ghost if I start running them outside of their usual zone of travel.
So all in all, What options do I have?