I know this has been beaten to death. But I have to ask. Who makes lowering springs for an '87 TBird 5.0. I've used the search feature here and found references to springs from a Bullitt and a Mach1. Also, I saw a post where someone said they are running Steeda springs. What works? I would like to lower the car about 2 inches. Currently, it looks like a 4 wheel drive.
Thanks in advance
I used stock SN-95 springs and they lowered my Sport about two inches.The V-8 and GT springs are the same from all I've read.My springs came from a '99 Stang.
Thanks for the info. Does the car sit level with these springs or does it nose up a little? Also, did you notice any negative handling characteristics after the swap? Because I know where I can pickup a set of SN95 springs CHEAP. This may be the next project.
It looks pretty level.I have air shocks,and keep just enough air in them to barely put any lift on the rear.As far as handling,it handles great.The springs were a direct swap.I am swapping to Stang shocks eventually (I have ChuckW shock adapters which allow shorter Stang shocks on our cars).But for now,air shocks are it.They work great as well,and come in really handy when I take the Sport to get a lot of groceries.Once you install SN-95 springs,it couldn't hurt to have the alignment checked.I had to,but,I also swapped control arms and strut mounts.Still,it'll probably need to be tweeked a little.
Maybe you can see the difference...........
Before...
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/DSCF0379.jpg)
After....There is a 2 inch drop that I measured....
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/DSCF3635.jpg)
Vin, I like the clean nose on your car...shagy
Wow, that's a great looking car! I like the grey wheels with the green body color, it works well. Thanks for the info and pictures, thats exactly what I'm looking for. The car has new KYB's all the way around, the previous owner installed them. Don't mind putting air shocks on the rear if I need to. But, I'll probably see how it sits with the existing setup first. I already sent an email to a guy who knows a guy that has some springs... So, we'll see what I can turn up.
Thanks again
Jason
You shouldn't need new shocks,I'm just using what I have for the moment.
Thanks a lot.I wanted a stock header panel,but I found this aftermarket replacement panel for $75.00 brand new.Couldn't pass it up.I had a hole busted in the other one.The other day I installed my Turbo Coupe front license plate frame and a new "Thunderbird" tag (black with a chrome Bird and the word "Thunderbird" under that....Nice.).I needed a Bird up front since my header panel doen't have one anymore.
Well, I dug up a set of SN95 springs already. They are from a 98 GT, best part is the price. $50.00 for the set. My Wife and I go to alot of cruise ins and we always hang out with guys in the local Mustang club. So I knew finding the springs wouldnt be a problem. Now the fun part, installing them. BTW, I just noticed the Mach1 chin spoiler on your car. It fits the car so well that I didnt see it at first. Hmmm, I know a guy that has spare one of those also. Guess whats going on the car this weekend?
Thanks again
just be careful removing & installing those springs.
Daminc, very true. Fortunately I have access to a shop and some tools... and expertise. Ya cant put a price on expertise, so hopefully I can have this done this weekend. Or maybe next weekend, we'll see. Heck, after seeing the pictures of your project and your shop.... WOW! I would love to have a space like that. Maybe in the next house, right now all we have is a driveway and borrowed shop space from a few friends. I'll post some before and after pics as soon as I can
I appreciate everyones input, lots of great info here.
Thanks again
it has been said on cool cats thats sn95 convertible car springs are recommended did you use those vinnie? or non convertible you think it would make a difference? Also i assume i should get v6 car sn95 springs since i have the 3.8
Another point i was planning on using kyb shocks did you hear good comments on them vinnie? Ive read about chuck W shock adapter is this very useful or is it not really necessary?
sorry for bombarding you of questions but your discussion gentlemen was leading exactly to what i was wondering
1986Elan, please feel free to jump in. I think everyone can learn something from the discussion here. I have KYB's on the vehicle now, not sure what model they are though. They were put on by the previous owner. The car seems to handle well enough now. I'll post here after I swap the springs to let you know if the ride or handling changes any.
thanks again
Jason
thank you very much Jason do you feel like the car handles better with kyb shpen 15s over the stock ones?
I uses springs from a standard Mustang,not a convertible.I like the way the car rides,and They have been great.
The rear springs took me about 15 minutes to change.The fronts took longer,but not that long.As I stated before,I changed the springs,a-frames,ball joints and strut mounts.That all took about 3 or 4 hours total with a couple of breaks in between.No big deal really.Just to do the springs shouldn't take more than a couple of hours at the most.Remember,align the front end afterwards.The tires sit differently after the car is lowered.It was a week before I could get an alignment and it wore the outer edges of my "like new" front tires.I couldn't care less now that I have new rolling stock,but,at the time I was pretty peeved.Good luck.We're here if you need us.
1986Elan- I wish I could tell you more about the handling characteristics. But the previous owner had just installed the KYB's before I bought the car. So I cant give any useful before and after info. I can say with them the car has a smooth ride and the handling seems fine for what we use it for. But keep in mind, I live 2 miles from work so this is a daily driver. I looked under the car just now and they are the KYB silver. I think that's the middle of the road. I think white is standard and the yellow are adjustable. Like I said, they came with the car. I hope this helps some what, just wish I had a better comparison for you.
Vinnie- The frontend was just rebuilt, so hopefully the spring swap wont be too bad. As in no rusted bolts and busted knuckles. But we'll see. Everyone knows how a minor project goes. I once tried to replace a little bit of rotted siding on our bay window. Well, after we pulled the siding away we realized there was a bit more work to be done. $2000.00 later the siding looks great. AARGH! Water damage, hopefully this goes a bit more smoothly. As for alignment issues, thanks for the heads up. I didnt even think of that. The suspension geometry will change! See, thats why ya cant put a price on experince. Have I said before that this is a great forum? Thanks again Vinnie
I think I got the same springs as Vinnie. My car dropped about 2" in the back..... and the front I won't know until the motor goes back in.
My front springs took about an hr to install. just compressed them to get them seated and jacked the arm up to bolt the strut in.
back took a few min. like Vinnie said. just dropped the rear, seated the springs, and jacked it back up to bolt the arms on.
I would keep the sport springs in the rear and just do the mach-1 springs up front and see how the stance comes out. I'd bet it would give the proper rake. I don't like the typical reverse rake T-Birds seem to have...
Harley, I know what ya mean. Thats the last thing I want, the dreaded reverse stance. So we'll see how it turns out. I can get a few different types of SN95 springs, so maybe I'll play with them to find the best combo. I'm trying not to change the car too much. I didnt buy it from the original owner, but it had been in the family since new. And it was very well taken care of. So, I'm hesitant to change it too much. So far I have added dual exhaust and a K&N air filter. Just rying to take it easy on the mod's for an original car. As for the springs, I may try a few combo's to see what works.
Thanks again for everyone's input
The rear is probably the tiniest bit higher than the front naturally,meaning with no air in the shocks.
I didn't have a spring compressor handy,so,I installed the a=frames and then the struts (at the top),slid the spring behind the strut onto the a-frame and carefully used the floor jack to seat it.No issues.
Thats the way Ive always done mine Vinn, floor jack and pry bar if needed. You just have to be careful.