Now the larger 17" rims can fit and be fully compressed, it was time to add
smoe fiberglass back to the rear wheel arches.
Using the 17" wheels as a template (Fully jacked up with spring removed) I used some cardboard box to make a
template, it took a few attempts to get the shape. Covered the cardboard in
sellotape, must be branded sellotape and not a copy. There is a particular
chemical in branded sellotape, that fiberglass resin wont stick to.
Cut out some fiberglass cloth, mxed the resin and applied it to the template.
About 2 or 3 layers thick, and the outside fiberglass job was complete
Removed the rear clam shell from the car, laid it on the ground upside down,
and then put 2 layers of fiberglass onto the inside.
The clearence for a fully compressed 15" rim should now be about 1" and a 16"
rim should be about 1/2". Plenty given that any suspension that hits the bum
stop isnt setup correctly.
At the same time I also added two new rear springs. 8" long and 450lbs
spring rate instead of the Marlin supplied 7.5" long and 300lbs spring
rate.
These seem to suit the rear weights of my 5EXI much better, and allow greater
control on the ride hide, and reduce the osicllating bounce I was getting
previously. The 300lbs springs had were fully pre-loaded, and had no room for
movement.
I took the car on a test drive, and still have a small problem with the front headlights. When the front left wheel is under load, and steering lock applied, such as at a roundabout. The tyre is catching the back of the headlight mount. With both the new headlights (that went through IVA) and the orignal angel eyes. That were fitted throughout the build. Watch this space as I work on a solution!!!