New project: 1976 Cosmo RX-5

[djmtsu]

Yes, I've seen his write up. I just don't want to stray too far so that modifications are not reversible.

I wish I could get this thing on a lift, to show how different the suspension is on these, both front an rear.

Up front an 'A arm' style lower control arm, but utilize a spindle/strut like a 1st gen. No tension rod BS. Also, the engine crossmember is independent of the suspension all together (front mount like all old schools).

The rear is a 5 link, like a 1st gen, but places the springs on the LCA's, the shocks bolt to the axle. It also uses a panhard bar instead of a watts linkage.

Billy Waits was spitballing ideas to me the other day about the front. He wants to look into using the FC front control arms, but not the subframe. I haven't looked into it yet, and its been a while since I've been under an FC. My main concern with that option, is the steering. I would have to swap the spindles from left to right to resolve the rear steer on the Comso vs front for the FC. Of course, there is a ton of room up front, so a rack could be mounted, and the steering shaft extended, that way the steering is improved, and the FC stuff stays the same.

Now, what I was thinking, and I don't know if this is possible, is this:

-forget about the FC control arms. See if a ball joint can be used with the Cosmo control arms to use the FC spindle. That also keeps the FC strut. Mount the R&P to the top of the frame rails, since the engine crossmember mounts below the rails (this is also the sway mount FYI).

Ugh.