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Registered:
June 2003
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 MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 13:50
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Just had a nice long chat with Greg over at Noltec - a bit of a suspension guru. He reckons he can make up adjustable strut tops for my MA61, capable of everything a boy-racer could need. Camber, caster, toe-in, blahblahblah. Direct bolt in over the top of the stock suspenion setup - no coilovers needed.
At the moment, it's looking at being $400 for the pair, however if any of you guys are interested I'm sure we could work something out for a group buy.
I'll keep you posted with prices, piks, all that stuff.
-J-
[Updated on: Tue, 02 November 2004 10:07]
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Location:
Adelaide, SA
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 14:24
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Oooooooohhhh 
I need an unlimited source of funds...
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
March 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 14:39
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would they also be useable for any xa6x chassis? That way more people might be able to benefit and as such the price will go down
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Location:
Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Japan
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 15:16
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| joorsh wrote on Wed, 27 October 2004 23:50 |
Just had a nice long chat with Greg over at Noltec - a bit of a suspension guru. He reckons he can make up adjustable strut tops for my MA61, capable of everything a boy-racer could need. Camber, caster, toe-in, blahblahblah. Direct bolt in over the top of the stock suspenion setup - no coilovers needed.
At the moment, it's looking at being $400 for the pair, however if any of you guys are interested I'm sure we could work something out for a group buy.
I'll keep you posted with prices, piks, all that stuff.
-J-
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isn't that like the normal noltec tops? or are these different? or were they just not available for the MA61's before?
price sound sstandard too...
toymods members get discounts at Noltec ay?
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 21:15
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Hmmm, might be interested, but not at $400.
If you want more camber (90% of the reason for getting them), look at fitting RA60 lower strut tubes.
A bit of labour and less than $50, and I got about -2 degrees camber (rough measurement)
pics & details here
http://forums.toymods.org.au/index.php?t=msg&t h=49365&start=0&rid=3701&S=bf92c570f88 83be2f6d0ba43db781cf7
I know that castor is not meant to be adjustable wuith teh std setup, but you can actually get some adjustment (I did on my RA23) and I beleive the design is the same ?
Still would like to see more detail though
Cheers
Michael B
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 23:08
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I believe they are the Noltec adjustable tops that they sell for a range of cars - just never for an MA61 before. He said he was going to try and make one up to fit for us.
And yes, fitting RA60 strut tops is rather appealing, but I like to be able to make changes if I want to, and not just to camber alone!
-J-
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
melbourne.vic.au
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 23:08
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| joorsh wrote on Wed, 27 October 2004 23:50 |
...
At the moment, it's looking at being $400 for the pair, however if any of you guys are interested I'm sure we could work something out for a group buy.
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I know K-Mac make adjustable strut tops/camber plates as I was thinking about putting them on my car (before i decided to keep it standard height  ). They may be cheaper. I can't remember the pricing on them...
Cheers.
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 23:10
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I like my standard ride height too. That's why these look good to me - from what Greg was telling me, I can just chuck 'em in over the top of standard springs. Unless I got it totally wrong... ?
-J-
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Wed, 27 October 2004 23:27
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Strut tops will only adjust camber and caster. Toe is controlled by the tie rod ends.
The fitment of the RA60 lower strut tubes does not affect ride height at all as everything is in the same place, but as mentioned, onece fitted, camber is fixed.
From what little I know, caster tends to affect the self-centreing of the steering as a main consequence, but not 100% sure of other effects (may try and suss out more info).
If fitting one of the K-Mac/Noltec strut tops, ride height may be increased slightly depending on the design
Cheers
Michael B
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 01:44
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More caster means more camber as you turn the wheel. This means better cornering, but the downside is the steering loads up a lot more and can become quite heavy. This isn't such a big deal with P/S of course.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 01:56
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Jeremy,
Doesn't the caster alter the location of the contact patch in relation to the centreline of the strut (along with the king pin inclination), and add offset into the equation, the scrub radius also varies ?
Oh well, once you get your conversion done, you can report the before and after affects in relation to camber !!
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 02:04
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Caster simply refers to the angle of the strut relative to vertical... I can't see this having any effect on contact patch or offset?
Yes I will certainly tell you all about the results when I finally get this done... I plan to head out to Qld Raceway as soon as possible and see exactly what this thing can do around a circuit! 
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 02:11
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| Norbie wrote on Thu, 28 October 2004 12:04 |
Caster simply refers to the angle of the strut relative to vertical... I can't see this having any effect on contact patch or offset?
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It has an effect on the position of the contact patch relative to the centreline of the strut (fore and aft), as often the strut is inclined reaward, so in a very small way, it is like a castor wheel (hence the self centering effect when you let go of the wheel) with the contact patch behind the strut centreline.
The offset can affect the location of the contact patch relative to the strut in a left/right direction, which has a greater affect on scrub radius and steering/cornering capability.
I'll try and dig up some references
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Location:
Hobart, TAS
Registered:
October 2004
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 02:37
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I'd certainly be interested in buying some adjustable strut tops, just as long as i find a nice mk2 to buy soon, hehe
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
October 2002
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 04:18
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Just quickly - go Noltec and not K-Mac (as I did). And be aware that these tops will raise your front suspension by about 20mm.
Justin
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 09:01
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Cheers for the advice. I was pretty impressed with what Greg had to say about suspension, so I was planning on going with Noltec anyway.
I dropped off an MA61 strut top today, so I should know tomorrow afternoon what the final result is.
-J-
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Location:
TX, USA
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 12:17
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If your talking the same thing as a camber plate, Cusco makes them too. Group Buy over at celicasupra.com, page 5 has the info on getting in but last day is the 29th in the states if your interested.
http://www.celicasupra.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t= 10296
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Thu, 28 October 2004 23:22
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| elhsupra wrote on Thu, 28 October 2004 22:17 |
If your talking the same thing as a camber plate, Cusco makes them too. Group Buy over at celicasupra.com, page 5 has the info on getting in but last day is the 29th in the states if your interested.
http://www.celicasupra.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t= 10296
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This Group Buy was over AAAAGGGGEEESSS ago - August the 8th !!!
Still, at about USD $200 and about USD $40 or so for shipping, they are still not cheap !!!
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Fri, 29 October 2004 06:16
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I'm getting the poly ones (at least, they have a blob of blue poly-looking stuff in the middle of them). I wasn't aware there was a solid one available. Wouldn't it be mega-harsh in terms of comfort?
-J-
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Location:
TX, USA
Registered:
January 2004
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Fri, 29 October 2004 12:50
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| bbaacchhyy wrote on Thu, 28 October 2004 18:22 |
| elhsupra wrote on Thu, 28 October 2004 22:17 |
If your talking the same thing as a camber plate, Cusco makes them too. Group Buy over at celicasupra.com, page 5 has the info on getting in but last day is the 29th in the states if your interested.
http://www.celicasupra.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t= 10296
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This Group Buy was over AAAAGGGGEEESSS ago - August the 8th !!!
Still, at about USD $200 and about USD $40 or so for shipping, they are still not cheap !!!
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Your right definantly not cheap, but they did offer a second run ending today at an extra +40USD on page 5 if anyone was interested.
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 02 November 2004 07:06
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Hooray!
Yes, I know the resolution sucks balls - still not bad considering it's my damn phone.
I've measured all the bits and pieces and it looks like it will fit. Here's hoping.
All up, $350 for the pair. Part number N44027 from Noltec if anyone is interested - though I'd recommend using me as a guinnea pig to see if they actually fit first.
-J-
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 02 November 2004 13:43
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As a consequence, I also have 3 MA61 strut tops for sale now, 2 good, one appears to be slightly worn. I'll re-post in for-sale section.
-J-
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Location:
Adelaide, SA
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 02 November 2004 21:25
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Cool! Let us know how it goes... looks like I might have to find another $350 
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Mon, 08 November 2004 10:39
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Well, It's good to see Greg at Noltec didn't lead me astray. The strut tops fit like a gem. Taking it out for a squirt tomorrow morning, so I'll give you a verdict on ride quality then, but it's all looking great so far.
-J-
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Location:
Burlington, On. Canada
Registered:
January 2004
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Lwr Templestowe, Melbourne
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 08:13
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did it affect ur ride height in any way?
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 11:33
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The strut tops had no noticeable effect on the ride height at all.
I've since been out for a drive, and thus far very happy. It's been raining and wet since I had the work done (all new bushes and strut tops), so I can't comment on handling because I haven't had a chance to try it in the dry.
The ride comfort however is vastly improved. Soaks up the bumps beautifully now, just like I was told it would. I'm very impressed with these new tech bushes. A far cry from the rigid polyurathane ones. I'll have to wait for it to dry up before I can properly test handling, but if what I'm told is true, it should be just as good as the polyurathane ones, if not better, but with much greater ride comfort.
-J-
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
Lwr Templestowe, Melbourne
Registered:
August 2004
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 11:35
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Ohh, sounds like a 'must-buy' item. tell us how u go.
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Registered:
June 2003
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 11:40
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Better than the rigid poly ones ?
Judging by the pics above, aren't they poly ?
Or were you comparing them to ones with no poly in them at all ?
It must be late, but I'm a bit confused 
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 11:46
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These aren't pure polyurathane ones.
It's some blend Noltec use. I don't know the exact specifics on what they use, but if you call up Noltec I'm sure they could explain it a LOT better than I ever could 
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 12:01
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My front setup is about 1 degree neg (not ideal, I know). It looks as if one of my arms is a little bent, because I can get up to 3 neg on the left, but at maximum setitng it's only 1 on the right. Getting that sorted out next week. Castor is set to +5.5.
The bloke at Noltec is Greg. From what I tell, he runs the place.
(02) 9980-9777
14 Duffy Ave
Thornleigh, NSW 2120
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 12:06
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| joorsh wrote on Tue, 09 November 2004 23:01 |
My front setup is about 1 degree neg (not ideal, I know). It looks as if one of my arms is a little bent, because I can get up to 3 neg on the left, but at maximum setitng it's only 1 on the right. Getting that sorted out next week. Castor is set to +5.5.
The bloke at Noltec is Greg. From what I tell, he runs the place.
(02) 9980-9777
14 Duffy Ave
Thornleigh, NSW 2120
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Hmm, something definitely fishy there re the camber. For most road applications, I normally wouldn't recommend more than 1.5 deg neg, as it does have an adverse affect on straight line stability, and stability under brakes.
5.5 deg castor, hmm. I wouldn't have thouight that it would be that high, must talk to Greg about that.
Cheers
Michael B
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Registered:
June 2003
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Re: MA61 adjustable strut tops
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Tue, 09 November 2004 12:39
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yeah, I know the front camber ain't right. I want about 1.75 - 2 neg on the front. As I said, going in to get it fixed up next week.
-J-
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