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View Full Version : Extended top hats idea



Hazwan
06-24-2011, 07:00 AM
In quest of getting MOAR LOW, I had this idea of extending my top hat to get the precious shock travel. I wonder if this gonna work. Mad mspaint diagram speaks over 9000 words

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/8315/extendedtophat.jpg

Basically, I'll get a new plate welded on top of the stock top hat, drill a new hole to get the strut to go through, and uhh put everything back together again. I probably would gain another 1" of shock travel, and I wonder if this gonna work or even worth it?

edit: I'm gonna have to get the old piece where the strut bolts to as it has this shape to prevent the shock from spinning as you tighten them welded on top instead. Hard to explain but I've got that covered.

edit 2: hood clearance is fine, theres like few mm left too lmao

Hazwan
06-25-2011, 05:42 AM
Anyone?!

gfrg88
06-26-2011, 05:51 AM
I would do something like this...

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3227/iwodi4mtk2czqxm2rmzdmxe.png

http://webpages.charter.net/erikiksaz/Hatchback/suspensiontravel/Dscf0016.jpg

Looks cleaner..

Hazwan
06-26-2011, 08:37 AM
Well I know that looks prettier but theres no point in adding a tube on it when all I'm doing is extending about half inch due to lack of room under the hood, besides the old ass design of the top hats have the upper spring perches sat and spin under them making the whole thing a lot more complicated.

http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/7757/1002704y.jpg

2ndGenGuy
06-26-2011, 03:10 PM
If I am getting what your diagram says, it's basically the same idea. You're just raising the upper mounting spot for the strut. Yes, it looks like it would work fine for bringing the top of the strut up, so that it's extended more with the car lower. Your ride might suffer a bit, since I'm guessing you'd be eliminating the rubber mount part. But it might give a bit more "precise" handling. Not that these are handling beasts to begin with. :)

79cord
06-28-2011, 02:04 AM
Now where did I spot a Danish or Swedish(?) 1g Civic experimenting with their rear strut mounting plates ?
Alternatively you might experiment with shorter shock absorbers or struts 1G VW golf?
I was seriously looking as some '90s Seat Ibiza / VW Polo struts at the wreckers until I realized they were of the "sealed" strut/shock absorber variety, though many older models apparently were not.