To: imps@coollist.com
From: kenneth barlow
Subject: Lowering
Hey Guys.
I am in the process of lowering my Imp. Can anyone offer any ideas.
In New Zealand, you can chop the springs, but they are not leagel, unless the springs are unmoveable when the wheel is jacked up, so if the spring is choppped, it can be moved, therefore not leagel.
The way I have thought of, and have tested a bit, is to use Triumph Hearald front shocks, as they are shorter, and ut the Truimph springs to suit the normal compressed lenght of the shock.
Do you understand? If yes, please let me know if you think this is advisable.
For the rear, I was just going to chop the top of the standard shock and rethread it to suit the new lenght spring.
Both of the above ideas will leave to spring tight in there seats, so are leagel here. But does anyone see any problems.
Kenneth
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 15:40:41 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Don Thomason
Subject: Re: Lowering
Yeah, I see a problem. You are fucking up a perfectly good Imp, that is not produced anymore......
Date: Mon, 24 Aug 1998 20:17:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Gary Henderson
Subject: Re: Lowering
Re check straps:
Sidevalve Minxes had check-straps on the rear axle as standard. (This was to save them from breaking the lever-action shocks.) They used canvas engineers' belting material - probably more predictable than leather.
Just remember that once you prevent a wheel going downwards, the tyre loses contact with the road & ceases doing useful work for you... possibly helpful at the front, in order to keep both rears on the ground & shoving. For the rear, if somebody does a progressive-spring I think that would be a better idea; then you could keep your full rebound-travel.
Re Don's comments: Please do this sort of job so it can be reversed, if the bodyshell is basically sound.
Good luck
GaryH
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 02:46:10 +0100 (WET DST)
From: kenneth barlow
Subject: Re: Lowering
Gary, thanks for that, I would do the progressive spring thing if I could afford. But since I am working a NO MONEY budget, and am just experimenting at the moment, I am just seeking advise.
What I will do will not affect the bodey at all. Even though it isn't the best round, I do want to keep the body work standard, well keep so it can be standard once more.
Kenneth
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 14:56:48 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Graham Miller
Subject: RE: Lowering
You know, I've always considered doing a roof-chop, wide wheel-arch, hot-rod style Imp, any comments?
Graham
From: Don Thomason[SMTP:thomason@televar.com]
Reply To: thomason@televar.com
Sent: 25 August 1998 14:11
To: gmiller@cib.org.uk
Subject: Re: Lowering
If you have the know how, facilities, etc., etc., why don't you just start a new Imp factory? You could use some other chassis off maybe another rig until you could get in place all you needed to copy an old Imp.
Since they are not being made any more, I don't see how Chrysler could do anything to you for doing it. Take a few older model Imps and a couple of good mechanics and bodymen, and start copying and manufacturing.
I have legal expertise, I'd be glad to help from that angle. Don
I was just being flippant before, but one of my when-I-win-the-lottery ideas has always been to recon old Imps to behave like a nineties super-mini. You know, 930 or 998 block, disc brake conversion, fiesta track rod ends, decent radio, maybe bits like remote central locking, etc. With decent investment, you could go round up all the old, dying imps and sell them on as practical classics...
Graham
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1998 17:47:51 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Graham Miller
Subject: FW: Lowering
Graham,
I don't know what.....but maybe mine (1966 Imp Sport sedan) was an export model or something...As I seem to recall about it, it HAD disc brakes, a decent radio, etc., on it, stock from the factory. In fact it had just about any other small compact beat, including VW beetles, at the time. In fact I think that it would give most any Toyota, Honda, or Nissan a run for their money today! I would think that if some of you blokes that knew auto design would get together, maybe in New Zealand, or Aussie land,outside the U.K. and in a place that air bags were not required, or smog control devices, that you might be able to get something going that might make you all millionaires! And like I said, I'd be willing to help on the legal angle, where my expertise lies. Don
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 12:36:35 +0100 (WET DST)
From: Gary Harding
Subject: RE: Lowering
Kenneth,
If the front mounts require attention and the change is to be a permanent one then you can cut out the existing front mount and fit a new one higher up. You can then keep the original size shocks and springs. A lot of work but works well.
Gary
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 10:53:07 +0200 (CEST)
From: Kenneth barlow
Subject: Re: Lowering
Thanks for the ideas guys. I think I will just stick to using Herald shocks at the front, and shortening the rear shocks. Thus leaving the rest of the car standard and able to be put back to normal.
Kenneth