Lowering Car...Need Opinions

[PureVenom]

*DISCLAIMER*
If you are going to tell me not to cut the stock spings, save the keystrokes. They are linear springs, cutting won't affect them. It fits my budget at the moment and if I don't like them I can put the stockers back on. Plus, I have read up on this a ton and it works just as well as replacing them with aftermarket.
*/DISCLAIMER*

Ok, I am lowering the car hopefully this weekend, if not then next weekend. I have decided to go the budget route since I was able to fall into a complete set of stock 03 cobra coupe springs for free (Thanks a ton Brad ).

So, I am going to cut them instead of the $350 for the steedas I was looking at...or $275 for the H&Rs.

Here are some samples...albeit not a vert.

How does this drop look? Does it seem right or is it still a touch low? I think it is a squidge low...so instead of going 3/4 coil up front and 7/8 coil rear like he did, I am going to start with 1/4 coil front and 1/2 coil rear to try and keep the slight rake the car has. If it doesn't come down enough, I will just keep adjusting till I get it where I want it. I just don't want the slammed effect.

Before:



After:

[Zim]

I guess Ill save my keystrokes.... but, you're wrong. It does affect them.

Have at it though!

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zim I guess Ill save my keystrokes.... but, you're wrong. It does affect them. Have at it though!

But you didn't save your keystrokes...you wasted them telling me you were going to save them.

[Zim]

No, I saved them cause I could go a lot more in depth than that... trust me, I saved them

Why not look for some used H&R's on corral? I see them going for 130-150 all the time, and that would be such a better spring for you. (Assuming this is going in the cobra?)

[Herbstang]

Didn't waste too many strokes I cut and pasted


The first problem is it increases the spring rate at both ends, but usually not by
the same percentage, so frequently the rear spring rates increase more than the
fronts and the rebound frequencies go to hell. A car will *feel* comfortable
even with high spring rates if the rates are matched so that the rebound frequencies
are close, and usually with the rear a little slower. (Whenever you go over a bump
the suspension goes up and down several times before it settles. The rate it which
is oscillates is what I'm talking about.) If the rear oscillates faster than the front it'll
feel HORRIBLE, and will perform badly

[rydog]

Cut em i used to do it to all my cars i think this is my first stang that i actually bought springs for and it is so low i think the guy i bought them from cut them and repainted them

[rydog]

Quote: Originally Posted by Herbstang If the rear oscillates faster than the front it'll feel HORRIBLE, and will perform badly

for sure mine feels that way now

[PureVenom]

Ok, let's try and keep the comments to how the sample car sits. I don't care whether you think I shouldn't cut them or not. 1/2 the people that comment will say it is fine...1/2 will say avoid it like the plague.

Fact of the matter is, I AM cutting the springs. I am not buying replacements at this time. I have a free set of coupe springs (600# vs my stock 470#) that I will be cutting. If I end up not liking them, then I will get the replacements. If I end up liking them...then I saved $300.

So, any comments on the ride height of the car in the first post?

[rydog]

It looks a tad to low i would do what you suggested and do 1/4 and1/2

or maybe 1/2 and 3/4 if the first is not low enough

[Herbstang]

Too Low

[Scut95]

I like the height....maybe go just a tad bit higher if you don't want the slammed look.....in the end it'll probly look like the drop from an Eibach prokit....which definately isn't a bad thing

[lowflyn]

When I cut mine, it took me about 4 times to get the height where I wanted it. Just remember one thing...you can't put the metal back on. I think a little higher than that picture with it slightly raked would look nice.

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn When I cut mine, it took me about 4 times to get the height where I wanted it. Just remember one thing...you can't put the metal back on. I think a little higher than that picture with it slightly raked would look nice.

That's why I think I am going to go 1/2 front and read...check it just to make sure...then go to the 3/4 rear and adjust the front any if needed.

Do you currently have cut springs in there now? Any of this oscillation occur for you that has been mentioned?

[PureVenom]

Also, upon finding a calculation formula and some rough numbers, it appears my spring rate will go from 600# front/rear to ~650 rear and 630 front. I will get a more accurate number when I measure the wire size, spring width, and free coil count so plug into the formula properly.

My rough numbers were gained by solving for N and D in the following formula knowing K = 600 for stock springs.



None the less, the change in rate will still be below what the H&Rs I was looking at getting are (700#)...so I can't see how the ride would be worse.

[Zim]

Im assuming you're changing shocks/struts too right? That will help your ride factor as well if you get some shocks/struts that are valved to the spring rate you'll be having.

As for the stance, I like it... but I like 'em low

[PureVenom]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zim Im assuming you're changing shocks/struts too right? That will help your ride factor as well if you get some shocks/struts that are valved to the spring rate you'll be having. As for the stance, I like it... but I like 'em low

Negative...The stock bilstiens will not need to be swapped out right away with the drop I am after. In the end, I am looking for...at max...a 1" drop...probably closer to 3/4"...it will not be that agressive to get out of the stockers effective range.

[Zim]

That gray car definitely has more than a 1" drop

I keep forgetting those cobras have the bilsteins... you should be good for a while.

[PureVenom]