is it possable to lower a SJ/sammi.  not sure if this will work, but i would like to lower 1 of my old Santanas.  its nothing special, just something ive bodged together from loads of old scraps vehicles.

i wantr to use it for autocross (so its gonna get pretty trashed) and i would like to lower it for more stability, what i was thinking, was simply remove the shackles... would this work, or would the leafs not be able to bend an extend???

the leafs that are on the santana only have 2 strips of metal on them, so there pretty flexy. would this compensate for not having shackles?

any advice/views welcome...

Andy

I parted out an '87 Samurai (SJ-413) that had been lowered.

The main (and I believe only) component involved were aluminum blocks mounted between the spring pad and the axle in the stock spring-over configuration.

I don't recall finding any special oilpan mods or steering linkage mods.

In the USofA, they don't allow Samurais to participate in Autocross events (at least the windy-course in the giant parking lot events).    I go turned away from an event with my Samurai before I did a SPOA on it.  This is possibly because of those wonderful folks at Consumer Reports.

I'd check first with the sanctioning organization about running Samurais in an autocross. No point in showing up with a Samurai only to be turned away because of the rules/specifications...

oh ho... so it is possible to lower them... i should refraise the word "autocross" with the words "bunch of chavs participating in banger racing"... thats a better description...

its kind of a "anything goes" type of racing... as far as i know, the only rules are, 3 point harness or more, motor sport helmet and no glass on the vehicle.  more of a mess around then the realy autocross meetings - just a bit of fun with rubbish cars

That does sound like fun. Make a figure 8 in a corn field and have a race in there!

oh ho... so it is possible to lower them... i should refraise the word "autocross" with the words "bunch of chavs participating in banger racing"... thats a better description...

its kind of a "anything goes" type of racing... as far as i know, the only rules are, 3 point harness or more, motor sport helmet and no glass on the vehicle.  more of a mess around then the realy autocross meetings - just a bit of fun with rubbish cars

...sounds like Wacky Fun!

Stay out of farmer's fields unless you have permission.  Makes offroaders and our art look bad and farmers like to have guns...well, you are in Pomgolia...

The cheap(er) way to lower a SPUA vehicle is to put a block between the spring and the axle.  Similar to using a block to raise a vehicle that is SPOA.  Axle wrap will increase with blocks and you obviously reduce ground clearance.  DO NOT USE ALUMINUM BLOCKS.  Find some good steel ones.  Don't know about your neck of the world but here you can find good steel ones without too much trouble and they aren't much more expensive than the cheapo aluminum ones.  It's much harder to break steel blocks than the crappy aluminum ones.

The more expensive way but more proper way is to run different leaf springs with less arch to them.  This will lower the vehicle without increasing axle wrap.

You might also want to find some stiffer springs.  If you're worried about lowering your center of gravity for racing around corners having soft springs won't help at all.  Some kind of roll cage/bar might be good to if you find yourself the wrong way in a corner.

Yes guys lowering blocks are a good solution to lower the Sammy....

Now scab together some front and rear sway bars, low profile tires and you will frighten yer buds.

Yes the Sammi is not permitted in scantioned Autocross or Autoslalom events, for good reason.
Saw one roll at an event years back at a parking lot event. Nothing wrong with a Sammi it's just not meant for that kind of event stock.

Zag

DO NOT USE ALUMINUM BLOCKS.  Find some good steel ones. 

Amen to that! 

The aluminum ones that I pulled out from the LowRider parts truck were SERIOUSLY CORRODED!  One actually crumbled as it was removed!

Steel is good.

i entered a autocross and with the mud tyres on i was faster of the line
then a mitsubishi evo 4 rally car.

That does sound like fun. Make a figure 8 in a corn field and have a race in there!

Actually its on the beach!

Quote from: Dihnekis on November 05, 2005, 02:01:32 PM

That does sound like fun. Make a figure 8 in a corn field and have a race in there!

Actually its on the beach!

Oh  no, the beginning of NASCAR in the UK 

Zig

Oh  no, the beginning of NASCAR in the UK 

Zig

They built a track for that a couple of years ago, the Rockingham Speedbowl, just outside Northampton.

Andy if you have a hunt around the internet you will see that lowering blocks are quite common on modified Capris and Escorts and the like. The shackles are there because the springs effective length changes as it flexes, if you hardmount the springs they probably won't flex at all, they may break though.

i was affraid someone would say that... its right though, i had a think about it an a good look an i see what u mean.

rhinoman - Dont suppose u have a link for these lowering blocks?  what should i search for "lowering blocks"?? or is there a company i could search for which would specialise in this sort of thing?!?!

cheers for so many replies btw

Andy

just did a quick search on ebay for the lowering blocks.. 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ESCORT-CAPRI-CORTINA-LOWERING-BLOCK-KIT-2-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ4587629738QQcategoryZ27377QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

dont suppose any one would know if these would fit or not?!?!?!

an i take it i would need 2 pairs

thanks

You'd need a pair for each set of springs, although blocks in the front for lifting a truck are a no-no, I doubt that'd be much different for lowering a vehicle.  You get weird geometry and forces acting on stuff that shouldn't be there.

Make sure the blocks are the same width as your springs are.  Also make sure your u-bolts are long enough to handle the extra distance they need to cover with the blocks in.