I hate using spring compressors, once had a set slip & something went past my ear at great speed.

Good spring compressors are expensive. I have two proper sets in the workshop but they're no good for small diameter springs unfortunately. I may have to change the design of my diy compressors if I can't get them to work. I have an idea though

I meant to ask you if you'd managed to get in touch with Peter. He replied to my pm the other day and he said he'd been on holiday. I did mention you'd been trying to contact him.

I made an small alteration to my spring compressor and managed to fit the offside rear spring/shocker assembly. However part of the coilover bracket fouled on the spring so the whole lot had to come off and 5mm needed cutting off the two upright parts of the bracket leading up to the top mounting holes. I feel I might have weakened that part of the bracket as I've lost the nice rounded profile at the top so I made a strengthening gusset to fit in between the two parts. I shall leave overnight for the paint to dry and refit tomorrow.

I had to put my K3 on the back burner for a while due to personal problems. Not fully resolved but I've some free time thanks to Covid so I'm putting it to good use

First job was to get new brake lines installed at the front of the car. That took me a couple of days to sort out and I was surprised that the master cylinder still works after a seven year lay off! Anyway I have a decent brake pedal so that's another job done.

The rear clamshell wasn't attached to the car too well. The fibreglass hinge panel that runs across the bottom off the clamshell had broken away and the hinge plates were missing so I decided to bin those parts and make my own brackets. These are metal plates shaped to fit the clamshell and simply bolted straight through the glass fibre. Once the car is repainted the bolt heads won't be that visible. Doesn't bother me much anyway.

Brake pipes,

Clamshell hinge brackets,

Suspension,

On the menu for tomorrow is to refit the exhaust so it pokes out of the clamshell like it should. Then I need to finish the plywood for the floor and fit the inner mudguards. I might even get the wheels on so I can move it off the ramp. I'm hoping to get it round to my mate's garage next week so I can get it in the spray booth.

Hi, nice progress on your car. You said that you were going to use 9 inch springs instead of the 8 inch springs, how did you get on with that?
Were they too long? Also, what did you do about the 10 mm hole in the upper suspension arm? for fixing the coil overs

Hello catsam, Going for the 9 inch springs was a big mistake. Today is the first time I've had the car sat on all four wheels with the coil overs fitted. To get the ride height somewhere near the springs ended up fairly well compressed and the suspension became far too hard. I'll have to change them simple as that. I also think my original choice choice of spring rate might be too hard also. I'll have to have a rethink. When I ordered the coil overs they gave me the option of a 10mm bottom bush so no problem fitting them to the top arm. I had to grind some metal from the top arm where it contacts the metallastic bush to stop it from fouling but it was minimal. The inner mudguards need cutting out to clear the top of the coil over too. Never mind, if we didn't try these things we'd never know would we?

What, you aren't planning to keep it that lovely shade of lilac?

It’s not for me I’m afraid. No more purple peril, it’s going to get tango’d

I've done a bit of umming and aahing about the springs today and I know I'll have to go to 8 inchers but I'm a bit torn about the spring rates. Reading through all the threads here 250lb front and 350lb rear seem to be the right numbers but I'm wondering if that's still a bit on the stiff side. Some more thinking required.

After some research and a lot of messing about I realise that the nine springs were a daft idea. So I know I have to drop to 8 inch springs but do I go for another set of 350lb rear/250lb fronts or should I go a bit lower, say 325lb rear/225lb front? The higher spring rates seem to be favoured here but I'm still concerned they may be too stiff. Any comments before I blow another 160 quid