Wondering if there is something around the neighborhood I could buy/thief to turn into 4 front subframe spacers? I think I need 1/2" of spacing. Maybe more, but I'd like to start at 1/2". Im limited in shop tools and all the fab shops around here are stack with work. I figure A chunk of metal cut down with an angle grinder and an appropriate size hole drilled into it would work, but would aluminum be up to the task?
What's that going to do to your suspension geometry?
Aluminum should be fine, steel would probably not compress as much. The lateral loads are often carried by something other than the hardware.
I know Parkrose Hardware on Sandy in Portland sells chunks of material (even delrin) in their off-cut bins near the back of the store by the pound.
Aluminum should be fine. Many years ago I bought a 4' long length of aluminum round stock just for this purpose. I have also seen people use aluminum squares. FWIW, this is a common practice on TR7s and TR8s, especially if you go with coil overs. Allows you to lower the engine away from the hood, but still allows you to drop the body back down. Lowering the subframe a half inch of even an inch isn't going to affect the suspension that much. You may get a little more bump steer but nothing major. May also induce a few tenths of a degree of negative camber. Couple the subframe drop with coilovers and stiffer springs, then dial it in.
Lowering the subframe on most cars will lower the roll center also. More body roll more weight transfer (a loss of inside weight on a FWD).
No amount of bump steer is OK, it seriously compromises directional stability which gives the driver false feedback, makes the car feel uncertain and obscures the feedback the driver needs to judge traction limits.
Hockey pucks?
Personally, if you "think" you need 1/2" it sounds like plywood is the correct material that way you only have to buy the metal spacers once
I have adjustable coilovers so roll center correction adjustment is fine. Are hockey pucks made from urethane? Plastic will crunch. Aluminum works, I just have to head to the scrap yard. Would square tube work? I have access to it, but worry about its integrity.
Hockey pucks have been done, I remember one of the cars at the Targa Newfoundland used them. They're super-hard rubber and basically indestructible. You could also try UHMW plastic - ie, cheap cutting boards. I have some spring spacers made of that stuff on the van. Over 1/2", I'd have some discs made up by a local plastic shop, it's less expensive than stacking cutting boards.
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