2004 Birkin S3 coilovers and calipers

[jkaylegian]

Hi all,

 

My 2004 Birkin came to me with Carrera coilovers with 2” ID springs. The fronts are eyelet to eyelet but the rears ane eyelet lower and single stem upper. No local speed shops (Vegas) seem to have an answer and I’ve scoured damn near every parts retailer on the internet with nothing even close. hoping this group can point me in the right direction, and maybe fellow Birkin owners can share they’re set up. 
 

PS I already spoke with Tom who said Carreras were never a stock option and that his source is having them built in overseas with a substantial lag time. Hoping for something quicker. 
 

[jkaylegian]

Forgot the second half of my post. I have the standard Birkin calipers from 90s VW Cabriolet up front with 5x7 panasports, anyone have part numbers for a wilwood caliper replacement that will clear? 
 

 

[MV8]

Looks to be a standard coilover where the shaft eye is removed for a stock, non-coilover type "shock" mount and the upper spring seat is on the chassis versus the coilover. Nothing wrong with that.

I expect the upper bushing seat on the shaft unscrews from the shaft and may have a thin jamb nut. Can't tell from the first pic. The shaft is held by the flats on the tip to unscrew the seat. It may just slip over instead of thread on to the shaft. Either way is fine and the bush is fine since it only deals with damping loads, not spring loads.

 

I wonder if it is actually a datsun strut cartridge retained in the coilover body at the top with a large nut.

Edited March 4, 2023 by MV8

[7Westfield]

You might check with Advanced Racing Suspensions in Indy

917-271-7100

 

they look like the Carreras on the Titan FF in my garage

if so, they can rebuild/revalve them

 

Charlie

Edited March 4, 2023 by 7Westfield

[BirkinBernie]

If memory serves, in 2004 the importers were Woody Harris and Dennis Tobin.  I'm pretty sure Woody was using Carrerra shocks on cars he put together.  Before them, Dick Brink sold the factory provided Spax shocks, and AVO single adjustables.  I have the AVO's.  If there is a part number on those Carreras, I sure would like to have it...

 

There was an adapter available to use a rear shock with an upper spherical joint like the bottom.  I got mine from Dick Brink in 2000/2001 when I built the car.  Its pretty simple - shouldn't be too hard to replicate.

 

HTH!

 

 

 

 

[RedbeardRacing]

I currently have the 2003/4 Carrera setup on my birkin S3, with qa1 springs. What exact info did you need again? 

[BirkinBernie]

I have toyed with the idea of replacing my AVO's.  Not sure if the Carreras are still available, but a part number off of yours (if any) would be informative.

 

Thanks!

[RedbeardRacing]

Carrera was purchased by qa1 in 2004 I believe. I found one post that cross referenced the front damper, but I can't find anything on the rear, nor could qa1 when I called them. He did spec me out a similar set but I never got the email. Bummer. 

 

Front Carrera 3243 or the newer 7543. 

Rear Carrera 40126 SA 

 

I am having a set of quantums built. The zero.one model. When those arrive I'd be willing to part with these if you are interested. I have 350/250/180 lb springs. Recently changed from 250 to 180s on the rear and it's much more pleasant and feels more planted. 350s up front. 

[jkaylegian]

Hi all, 

 

Thank you for the replies and my apology for the delay in response. After speaking with a number of companies I opted to go with the Advanced Racing Suspensions as suggested by @7Westfield. Corey from ARS is familiar with 7s and was able to help make exactly what I needed for less than the cost of other off the shelf options. All in should be around $1700.

 

@RedbeardRacing is spot on with info on QA1. They had the exact product I needed with the 82 series but recently discontinued them and every supplier seems to have 1 in stock. They are switching to the 82s successor the 8Qs but I’m told by a few suppliers that manufacturing delays are greatly limiting stock. 

Below are some photos and my rough measurements of what was on my car.

 

Fronts

1. 7” tall 1-3/4” wide body
2. 8” 300lb 1-7/8 ID springs 
3. 1/2” shaft
4. Compressed 9.5” Extended 13” (eyelet to eyelet) 
5. Non-adjustable 4 compression and 4 rebound 

Rears 

1. 9” tall 1-3/4” wide body
2. 10” 150lb 1-7/8 ID springs 
3. 1/2” shaft
4. Compressed 11.5” Extended 17.5” (eyelet to eyelet) 
5. Eyelet bottom 3” tall 3/8” threaded Stud on top
6. Non-adjustable 3 compression and 3 rebound 

 

 

 

[jkaylegian]

Forgot to mention, Sharon Naake who runs Naake suspension specialists in California was very knowledgeable and was able to find a number of Carrera and QA1 parts. Highly recommend her if you’re looking for an exact replacement. 

[BirkinBernie]

FWIW, here are the specs for the front shocks on a narrow track Birkin (solid rear axle) from 2001, along with the ride height specifications.  These are from Birkin.  Looks like the Carrera 7543 fits the specified dimensions nicely.  If your Birkin has the wide track front end, I know nothing about those.

 

Incidentally, a problem came up years back with Birkins suffering bent lower control arms.  After a lot of research, the issue was people setting the ride height at less than the specified 294mm.  The front suspension would bottom out frequently putting a big bending load into the arm.  Woody Harris developed a process to straighten and reinforce bent arms, but he is long retired and playing with airplanes last I talked with him.....