Compression struts or ARB
05-09-2005, 12:06 PM
#1
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Compression struts or ARB
Dont which will be best to use on my rwd mk3 escort. Front end is all mk2 escort stuff, I already have eccintric top mounts, group 4 hubs, adj TCA's and 2.8 capri legs which will have billie inserts and 370lb coil springs on them soon. The chassis has the brackets already welded on for compression struts but would they be better than using a twin-cam ARB with antidive kit on it ?
Car is being built for just track use and wont be on the road at all.
Need advice on this please folks
Car is being built for just track use and wont be on the road at all.
Need advice on this please folks
05-09-2005, 07:18 PM
#3
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Dave
Don’t know if you’ve checked, but I went to fit a thicker RS rollbar to mine. Was from an RS2000 but found it was about 2-3” to narrow to fit
Mine is also mk2 based but it looks like the track has been widened and a wider Capri bar (?) Has been fitted.
Worth checking b4 you waste your money buying bars that might not fit !!
Unless you know exact what parts were fitted when it was made that is
btw, I have a set of compression struts I need to fit to mine, when I can be arsed lol
Don’t know if you’ve checked, but I went to fit a thicker RS rollbar to mine. Was from an RS2000 but found it was about 2-3” to narrow to fit
Mine is also mk2 based but it looks like the track has been widened and a wider Capri bar (?) Has been fitted.
Worth checking b4 you waste your money buying bars that might not fit !!
Unless you know exact what parts were fitted when it was made that is
btw, I have a set of compression struts I need to fit to mine, when I can be arsed lol
05-09-2005, 10:24 PM
#4
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Wyn is the ARB on your car bent forwards where the clamps mount on ?
Like this -
where it bolts up it sits at an angle so I cant fit double width clamps or anti dive on it unless I chop the mounts off and get new ones to suit a normal straight ARB. hence the thinking of fitting compression struts. Would also explain a few other things if it was from a capri
Like this -
where it bolts up it sits at an angle so I cant fit double width clamps or anti dive on it unless I chop the mounts off and get new ones to suit a normal straight ARB. hence the thinking of fitting compression struts. Would also explain a few other things if it was from a capri
06-09-2005, 02:58 PM
#6
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Tony I was under the impression that compression struts lift the front of the car and more suited for rallying.
Any chance of explaining it for me mate
Any chance of explaining it for me mate
06-09-2005, 03:38 PM
#7
Advanced PassionFord User
David,
IMO i'd use compresion struts on the car rather than the ARB...compression struts shouldn't affect ride height as they are acting on the TCA's but will give you caster adjustment, vital for a car like yours, i'd corner weight the car get some decent data for the camber/caster and toe in, if possible do some timed runs tweeking the geometry until you can find an optimum position if you feel you need some extra stiffness fit a blade type ARB, that will give you enough adjustment to find a suitable setup....
HTH
Regards
Ian
IMO i'd use compresion struts on the car rather than the ARB...compression struts shouldn't affect ride height as they are acting on the TCA's but will give you caster adjustment, vital for a car like yours, i'd corner weight the car get some decent data for the camber/caster and toe in, if possible do some timed runs tweeking the geometry until you can find an optimum position if you feel you need some extra stiffness fit a blade type ARB, that will give you enough adjustment to find a suitable setup....
HTH
Regards
Ian
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06-09-2005, 05:55 PM
#8
Ian has pretty much summed it up David 
By triangulating the TCA to the chassis rail your effectivly making a solid wishbone, which will give you far better adjustability and the handling characteristics can be tailored to suit your driving style.
Why was you thinking they will lift ride height ?
By triangulating the TCA to the chassis rail your effectivly making a solid wishbone, which will give you far better adjustability and the handling characteristics can be tailored to suit your driving style.
Why was you thinking they will lift ride height ?
06-09-2005, 05:59 PM
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Dave
Mine below
Top bar is from an mk2 RS2000 (is thicker, hence why I wanted to change) n the lower bar is from mk4. I believe to be from a mk1 Capri, as it's that much wider?
Luckily mine is straight so antidive isn't a prob
btw, you sure the clamps should be that far around?
Mine below
Top bar is from an mk2 RS2000 (is thicker, hence why I wanted to change) n the lower bar is from mk4. I believe to be from a mk1 Capri, as it's that much wider?
Luckily mine is straight so antidive isn't a prob
btw, you sure the clamps should be that far around?
06-09-2005, 08:39 PM
#10
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Cheers guys
Ian and Tony I was told that comp struts would make the front of the car lift more under acceleration than using ARB, should have worded it better
Do you reckon I can just use the comp struts on their own and not a bladed ARB with them as well ?
Wyn the bolt holes for the clamps sit at an angle as well mate, really strange but someone mentioned Gartrac ARB's being different from std too I dunno, give up, going back to my cossies 
Will take a pic for you when im next down the unit
Ian and Tony I was told that comp struts would make the front of the car lift more under acceleration than using ARB, should have worded it better
Do you reckon I can just use the comp struts on their own and not a bladed ARB with them as well ?Wyn the bolt holes for the clamps sit at an angle as well mate, really strange but someone mentioned Gartrac ARB's being different from std too
I dunno, give up, going back to my cossies Will take a pic for you when im next down the unit
06-09-2005, 10:17 PM
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No need m8, I can picture it
Providing there’s nothing over your bar I see no reason why a mk2/Capri antidive kit shouldn’t fit. Obv weld it in place across the lower frt cross member?
Just spotted this chap, 5th one down
Could help ?
https://www.burtonpower.com/dets_pro...=21010&PSet=98
Providing there’s nothing over your bar I see no reason why a mk2/Capri antidive kit shouldn’t fit. Obv weld it in place across the lower frt cross member?
Just spotted this chap, 5th one down
Could help ?
https://www.burtonpower.com/dets_pro...=21010&PSet=98
06-09-2005, 10:23 PM
#12
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Wyn that looks spot on you ever seen one with the centre clamp on it as well or do you reckon I could attach one to that ?
nothing above the bar I think, but still to do a first build up of the car
you ever seen one with the centre clamp on it as well or do you reckon I could attach one to that ?nothing above the bar I think, but still to do a first build up of the car
06-09-2005, 10:47 PM
#13
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The kits above that 2.8 set in that link are all double width, so I can't see why you shouldn't add more clamps like them? Could be a reason why tho, but that may only apply if you have a Capri?
1st set of clamps from that list should do it if not
1st set of clamps from that list should do it if not
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