Multilink to Macpherson conversion...?

[unclepaulie]

im a bit puzzled by this but please read on.


Background info:
This is related to EC5A Galant and EC5W Legnum VR4 front end suspension components and geometry.

One of the inherent flaws of the vr4 is poorly designed front suspension layout. the lower control arms need to be replaced about every 4 years and were actually one of the recalls from factory back in like 1999.


Idea:
Now, i know this isnt a big deal. Yeah, sure, replace the control arms every few years etc etc. but, i was thinking, perhaps i could dig around the Mitsubishi Parts bin and convert the suspension from multilink to macpherson strut.

Pros:
use off the shelf evo front coilover
camber correction/adjustment would be much easier
no lower control arm issues.
easy brembo compatible hubs for series one vr4s
no more explodo suspension
geometry correction for low cars

Cons:
never be done as far as i know
could end being very pricey.

Possible Method:
evo coilover with pillowball and camber top
evo hub/caliper/disk
evo lower control arm, rear mount may hav to be modified
swaybar mount: undecided.


just for reference, vr4 suspension is the same as 7G galant.



Thoughts?

 

[tryg]

if it leads to more options, then it's good...!

I am not sure I am qualified to amplify more on it, but the EVO setup sounds like the nuts!

 

[TPG]

Any more thoughts on this?
Do you have pics / schematic of the two?

 

[unclepaulie]

looked further into it with a few other vr4 guys

basically it was all ready for actual test fitting/acquiring of parts, but the rear mount for the LCA would need to be custom machined. the strut tower might also need addressing.

it is something i definately want to continue looking into, but when im done with uni/thesis and have a full time job

 

[TPG]

Some goods news there. I'd think if you got a number of owners with LCA to be machined at once it would be a viable / desirable option

 

[Spetz]

Anyone know if it would be possible to put the double wishbone suspension in our Lancers?
This seems like a more desirable mod seeing as it's better than macpherson

 

[Ryan]

Both ideas sound like a recipe for disaster without the modifications being properly engineered and good luck getting an engineer to mod-plate it for a decent price or at all....

 

[lancr99]

Both ideas sound like a recipe for disaster without the modifications being properly engineered and good luck getting an engineer to mod-plate it for a decent price or at all....

this ^^^
the price for it would get a bit too large.
unless you happen to be an engineer.
the handling would improve though. but that being said the Japanese have used the same set up in our cars for quite some time.
so if its 100% track or you can get a cheap engineer cert convert it. if not i wouldn't worry

 

[Ryan]

Both ideas sound like a recipe for disaster without the modifications being properly engineered and good luck getting an engineer to mod-plate it for a decent price or at all....

this ^^^
the price for it would get a bit too large.
unless you happen to be an engineer.
the handling would improve though. but that being said the Japanese have used the same set up in our cars for quite some time.
so if its 100% track or you can get a cheap engineer cert convert it. if not i wouldn't worry

Even if a track car, you'll still need to properly engineer it so firstly it doesn't prematurely fail and secondly to get the geometry right for the car. If you get the geometry and setup wrong there's just as much a chance it'll handle worse than the stock setup...

Macpherson struts are simpler and therefore cheaper to make and service compared to double wish bone setups, so that's why they are still so widely used...

 

[unclepaulie]

luckily im 99% done with a mech eng degree, and can do cad and FEA stuff. i understand that components can fail, hence why i plan to only use OEM parts. the only thing that will be custom will be the mount adaptor for the rear of the LCA which is in compression and only under rotational load, which is compensated for by 3 triangulated bolts with a large footprint to spread the load out evenly on the stock K frame.


double wish bone conversion is a whole different ball game which will require a lot of FEA for custom arms/subrframe/front end. only worth it if you plan on makin a JGTC inspired lancer for TA.