Spring help!

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I am doin a2.3 to 5.0 swap will the car handle ok with the 2.3 springs. i've heard that it will be lowered. but will there be enuff spring rate

if you're planning on autocrossing or something I'd definately swap out springs, but for a DD the 4 banger springs are just fine. They do lower the car a bit but still maintain a nice ride quality.
 
They really aren't fine, they will turn your suspension setup in "drag race only".
That's why guys use 4cyl springs as budget drag springs.
I tried it myself, and IMO is was a big mistake, i only made it a week or so, and i removed them, because i didn't like going around u turns or jughandles at 5 mph.
 
I have four cylinder springs with about 3/4 coil cut off them in the front of my 82 5.0 and they are fine, to me for normal driving. I would not recommend cutting them, if you have a normal weight car. I drive this around a bit, with these springs and no front sway bar, on skinnies, with manual steering, and its fine to me.
 
Ha, ha, ha.
And people wonder why I ignore 90% of the "spring threads".

KT93LXVert:
WHAT do you care about, and WHAT do you want?


If you want a stock setup, you'll need stock VERT springs. Good LUCK finding them! Even if you use car-part.com . For things like springs, the junkyards will give you what was in the car. With springs, there's a "decent" chance that they may have been changed. I know that very well!

With a Vert, you're semi-screwed. IMHO, your best bet to get a stock GT ride height/handling might be with stock GT springs (again, not that easy to get, unless you get them through the classifieds!) AND go with a Steeda 1/4" spacer. You can bey the spacer by itself if you call Steeda (~?$30/pair?). That will get you close to stock GT Vert height and handling.

Since you're in the South, you may want to consider the Mach1 springs and the Steeda spacer. For a Vert, that'll lower your car approx (Note: I said APPROX :)) 1/2"-3/4". IMHO, I don't like that as much with a heavy vert. You're more likely to bottom out the suspension.

Here's what I'm talking about with regards to the Steeda spacer:
Spring install on a Mustang using the OTC spring tool

My car and setup:
Mustang 86 - Mach1 Springs

Have fun! That's my advice. I decide my choices mainly from an engineering point of view (and handling in my case). If you're more concerned about looks, then ignore my advice above. :)
 
Always wondered what the OTC tool looked like. It is described in the Ford service manual, so I made one with some 1/2 in plate and 5/8 threaded rod that works decently.

Used every time, and also use it on my other cars.
 
:rolleyes:

DragRacing15Feb2009002.jpg


LEAVE EM! Not only does it look badass, but it rides nice and if you dont take the sway bar out, it handles nearly identical to the tired V8 springs I had before. Hell, even without the sway bar it handles JUST FINE. Then again Im used to drivin a 66 mustang and a 77 F100 so what do i know :rlaugh:

Matt
 
:rolleyes:

DragRacing15Feb2009002.jpg


LEAVE EM! Not only does it look badass, but it rides nice and if you dont take the sway bar out, it handles nearly identical to the tired V8 springs I had before. Hell, even without the sway bar it handles JUST FINE. Then again Im used to drivin a 66 mustang and a 77 F100 so what do i know :rlaugh:

Matt

66, good looking car, but, that's an extremely misleading post. By no means do 4cyl springs act anything like worn out stock springs. Lets be realistic, you like the drag setup, considering you are using smaller rims in the back than in the front, likely for more straight line traction, so you can let more air out of the rear tires.
It's a well known fact that 4 banger springs act exactly like drag springs, the sway bar changes very little.
KT, do a few searches, and you'll see people here that swap to them for better 60ft times, but make no mistake, they completely ruin the handling of the car.
And i do speak from experience.
 
66, good looking car, but, that's an extremely misleading post. By no means do 4cyl springs act anything like worn out stock springs. Lets be realistic, you like the drag setup, considering you are using smaller rims in the back than in the front, likely for more straight line traction, so you can let more air out of the rear tires.
It's a well known fact that 4 banger springs act exactly like drag springs, the sway bar changes very little.
KT, do a few searches, and you'll see people here that swap to them for better 60ft times, but make no mistake, they completely ruin the handling of the car.
And i do speak from experience.

Thanks for the compliments!!! But maybe the picture was misleading, thats my drag set-up...heres how it looks every day im not at the track (daily driver).

123.jpg



But the post most certainly wasnt...or at least wasnt meant to be misleading. In fact, its pretty staight forward. If you want it low and not ride stiff, the 4 banger springs are FINE. With the sway bar attached, it felt NO different than with the V8 springs I had before. Now, with the sway bar removed, totally different story, but like i said, it still doesnt handle as bad as my 66 Mustang and nowhere near as bad as my 77 F100 :rlaugh: Sayin the sway bar changes very little, and this is from personal experience so it may vary, isnt true at all. I notice a BIG difference in not only the handling but also the amount of lift the front end gets when I punch it all the way to the fact that the front tires will rub fender turning into the driveway without it installed. With it, its nice and tight, no rubbing and handles really well.

NOW...if you want an all out handler, get some lowering springs and thicker sway bars etc. If you just want it low/mean but still ride awesome and handle just as good as before, keep the 4 banger springs in there. If you want to be able to launch better at the track or just like a little bit better weight transfer all around, again...keep the 4 banger springs.

Take the above advice as you please, do not discredit anyone else's advice for its all valid, but im just tellin you how it actually is on my personal car from my personal experiences.

Best of luck whichever way you go!!!
Matt