Another needing spring decision help

[svtmc-g]

Hey Gents. I know this is beating a dead horse BUT you all are the best info no matter what the scenario
Trying to pick some lowering springs for my car. here's my details.
-I want to go as low as possible and still have a decent ride
-I plan to have long tube headers soon after!
-who knows clearance facts assoiciated with running LT's(i.e.,you can only go___" on a 99' with LT's)
-I will also be putting on some 18x9 and 18x10 FR500's after the long tubes.
-I don't want junk springs(of course)
-let's see pics of your suggestion?
-will 1.5" drop springs and isolators together not lower that much(considering the isolators being new and stout)
Check out
my gotstang.com spot
To see my photochop's(one of them is SLAMMED but looks EXACTLY how I want!

I drive myself nuts thinking about this and I need real facts and exp., which I know i can get here! Thanks in advance fella's(or lady's if any post)

 

[Bl4ckedoutc0bra]

I would suggest Kenny Brown springs.. I like mine a lot and they give the car a mean stance.

(a crappy pic taken at night with my camera phone.. excuse the quality)

 

[Torch10th]

If you are positive that you are putting long tubes on the car I would get that done and out of the way first. You don't want to put a spring on the car only to find out after you install the long tubes that the spring you chose is too short and you have clearance issues with your long tubes.

Alternatively you could switch to a coil-over setup. Not only would this give you significant'y better handling, but it would also allow for ride height adjustment. You could install the setup now then adjust later after putting in the long tubes.

just a though.

 

[Bl4ckedoutc0bra]

Torch has a very good point..

 

[svtmc-g]

Sounds great...but aren't coilovers like $1000 at least?
Does anyone know if there's a brand of long tubes that tuck up under there a bit better than others? I've heard of this before somewhere. you know, some brand allows you to lower your care further 'cause they aren't as long or some crap?!?!
Mc-G

 

[RED99VASVT]

Everyone here says to avoid Mac LTs, but they give very good power and better clearance than others I looked at. Both those were considerations for me. I have had my Mac's with Pro-Chamber and FlowPaths on for 2 years with no problems at all and the clearance is better than other LTs (80 K miles driving from VA to MD weekly - I know most would criticise that also, but I bought it to drive and enjoy). Just look them over really well and remove any welding slag you see and smooth the inlets. You will be happy. IMHO...

 

[svtcobra2k1]

h&r race springs perfect drop with no isolators all around. Ill try to get some pics later on tomarrow.

 

[svtmc-g]

Pics?

 

[E. Green Cobra]

look for the various Kenny Brown springed cars- its the "just enough drop" that provides a good balance with looks, and ground clearance

 

[viperbluelx]

I'd just cut the stock springs, it will increase the springrate and help with wheel hop from the IRS.

 

[Taz]

I'm a little slow. How does cutting a spring increase its rate?

Thanks in advance.

T-

 

[TheGord]

I'd just cut the stock springs, it will increase the springrate.

Wrong. on a progressive spring you will only remove the spring force from where it is cut, but that will not increase the rate for the remaining spring. the remaining piece will still require the same force to compress it as before.

 

[viperbluelx]

Wrong. on a progressive spring you will only remove the spring force from where it is cut, but that will not increase the rate for the remaining spring. the remaining piece will still require the same force to compress it as before.

Stock springs are not progressive, and therefore when you cut them it increases the spring rate a little. If it didn't the 03/04 Cobra guys wouldn't be doing it to help with wheelhop.

 

[svtcobra2k1]

h&r race springs no iso's all around.

 

[BreBar21]

Stock springs are not progressive, and therefore when you cut them it increases the spring rate a little. If it didn't the 03/04 Cobra guys wouldn't be doing it to help with wheelhop.

Cause if the 03 Cobra guys do it, it must be right. lol.

FWIW, 99.99999999% of them are doing it for looks, not wheelhop.

 

[01yellercobra]

viperblue, how much did you cut off the springs?

 

[TheGord]

Stock springs are not progressive, and therefore when you cut them it increases the spring rate a little. If it didn't the 03/04 Cobra guys wouldn't be doing it to help with wheelhop.

are you serious? please explain how cutting a spring would increase the spring rate. does cutting the spring kill it and then rigormortis sets in THEREFORE making the spring more stiff?

 

[01yellercobra]

are you serious? please explain how cutting a spring would increase the spring rate. does cutting the spring kill it and then rigormortis sets in THEREFORE making the spring more stiff?

It has something to do with removing active coils. I have a buddy that builds suspensions for Baja trucks, he told me why once, but I can't remember the details.

 

[TheGord]

spring rate is an inherant property of the spring. much like molecular mass. so if you take a Kg of an element and remove half of it, it will still have the same molecular mass. Springs however will fade with time/abuse, therefore changing the spring rate

 

[01yellercobra]

Yes, they will fade over time and lose rate, but we're talking about fairly new springs here. I know it has something to do with removing the amount of active coils. And I know they do get stiffer because I cut the springs on my GT and the ride stiffened up. It's not like they go from a 400lb/in spring to 700lb/in. But they do get stiffer. Hopefully someone more awake then me can answer better.