SV wide track vs S3 wide track

[Drakman]

Hello all, 

 

I am looking to fit a set of 620 s coilovers to my 2014 Roadsport 175.

 

Would a set of wide track shock absorbers from a S3 fit onto a wide track SV car?  I imagine they would be the same but i thought i had better check first.  

 

Thanks

Dave

[MV8]

Don't know. If they are longer eye to eye uncompressed, I'd want to know the compressed length to ensure they don't bottom out in normal travel and eye size, though I doubt it is different. There are many ways they could be different besides just fitting.

[Drakman]

Thank you MV8,

 

I do understand what you mean about all the differences re set up.  I guess the valving would be set harder and the springs would be stiffer going from a 620 to a 175.    It occurred to me that from SV chassis to another SV chassis physically the fit would be the same.   I assume all Caterham wide track wishbones, regardless of SV or S3 would be the same part?  So would 620 S3 shocks be set slightly softer because of the narrower track or would they all be the same regardless of chassis width?

 

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to get my head around things.

 

Dave 

[MV8]

I'm guessing you found a deal from a third party that is more cost effective than buying replacements spec'd for the car.

I would assume wide track lower control arms (LCAs) listed for sale on the Caterham site would fit all cars shown in the listing unless the specific model had to be indicated when ordering.

It would make sense to move the lower damper attachment outboard with the longer, wide track LCA and spec a longer damper. This reduces the effective motion ratio and adds a little unsprung weight, so to be equal to the narrow track, the valving and springs would be higher rate/stiffer.

Found the following here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=240298

"These dims are for a '96 De-Dion car where the front damper mount is seperate to the wishbones, and the lower rear mount is welded to the bottom of the De-Dion tube.

Front

Open length eye to eye = 14” (narrow track)
Open length eye to eye = 15” (wide track)
Open length between spring pans = 7”
Metallastic bushes both ends ½” dia
Spring I.D. = 1.9”
Wire dia = 0.32”
Approx free length of spring = 7.25” (estimated, very little compression at fully open)
Note:- the spring length is for springs 9 years old, having done 23000 miles.


Rear

Rear dampers are the same for wide tack and narrow track.
Open length eye to eye = 18½”
Open length between spring pans = 13”
Metallastic bushes both ends ½” dia
Spring I.D. = 2.25” (springs are standard progressive rate)
Wire dia = 0.375”
Approx free length of spring = 13” (estimated, no compression at fully open)
Note:- the spring length is for springs 9 years old, having done 23000 miles"

 

[Drakman]

Thank you yet again MV8,

 

Yes I am looking at a set of near new 620 coilovers.

 

looking at the front open length eye to eye, narrow track 14" and wide track 15" would explain the hex front damper extension then.

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/dampers/455-front-damper-extension-widetrack.html

 

Thanks

Dave