New Front End - Ke30 Questions

[Samwich]

hey guys,

 

Starting to prepare to get the KE30 back from a full bare metal respray and would like to start collecting/putting together a new/refurbished front end. I know this has probably been asked 1,000 times but I couldn't find what I need.

 

I would like everything in the front end to be new/refurbished, powder coated etc..

At this stage I would like to go coilovers and have read a few things on people making custom jobs by moding XT120s? Unfortunately this is the first time I'm attemping to do a full refurbish on a car, and would like to do it right.

 

1. Should i stick with a stock KE30 X-member? or is there another one that might be better for an upgrade?

2. Are there any coilovers that bolt on without welding? if so, what do I need for them, and can I get the parts New?

3. Is there a certain brake/coilover upgrade you'd suggest for 250rwkw+? 4. Where is the best place to get new bushes?

5. I'm looking at fitting 15x7" rims to the front, how low should the new springs be/what rating? sorry about the lack of knowlage... I'm only new to the Corolla/refurbish side of things...

 

Regards,

Sam

[Banjo]

Hi Sam,

Front suspension upgrade is one of the most important upgrades you will do to the car. By going 15" rims in the front, you give yourself the widest options, as you shouldn't have too much trouble getting larger brake rotors & calipers inside the rims. I did it with 14" rims, and although I got there, it was not without a few compromises, and the narrowest of clearances between rim & calipers.

 

I would suggest you do a lot of homework & planning on this one, as many here have been caught part way through, and have had to back pedal, or change direction.

 

I would suggest you make contact with a local certifying engineer, who will ultimately provide you the required approvals for the "plating" that your KE30 will require, with a big power plant change to 240kW. A good guy, will tell you clearly what you can & can't do.

 

Front end geometry plays a large part in how sucessful the front end mods end up, particularly, if you are going to lower it.

 

I'd suggest sticking with the KE30 cross member, & use other Toyota struts & LCAs, as there are a lot of combos of struts, rotors, hubs, LCAs & calipers that go together without too many engineering requirements. Make sure you check the king pin inclination angle of the strut you go with. Also decide early what camber angle you require, and whether the setup will require top hat camber adjusters.

 

Also get hold of the biggest KE sway bar diametre that you can, which off memory is 23mm dia.

 

Stay away from the cheaper aluminium coil overs.

 

Completely rebush front end in with poly bushes.

 

Don't forget you will have to upgrade the brake master cylinder to get the hydraulic capacities ratios of master cylinder & brake cylinders to provide the right pedal pressures. Mitsubishi Pajero MC or HiLux are popular conversions, that works well, and are a pretty straight forward changeover.

 

There are not too many KE front end mods that haven't been already tried, and that are not documented on RollaClub or other forums. A night or two on the computer, and a lot of reading, should give you a clearer picture as too which way you want to go.

 

Love to see some pictures of your rebuild as it progresses.

 

Cheers Banjo

Edited March 17, 2015 by Banjo