i want to lower just the front an inch or so. what size springs and stuff do i need to know?
Get some springs from an SN-95 Mustang (mine are from a '99). They will lower the car a little, but not too much. They can come from a V-6 car or GT, same springs. They are also plentiful at the yards, and cheap. With any lowering you do on the front, have the alignment checked. Here's mine with the SN-95 springs.........
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/DSCF3634.jpg)
Fox body springs put the front tires on the inner fenders on my '83 with 16 X 7 Weld Drag Lites and 225/50/16 Goodyear GSC's. I tried this years ago and ended up ordering new TRW springs for the front and just cut about 3/4 of a coil off each spring and got the drop I wanted. Caster Camber plates would be advisable with the drop though. Since your car is an 87 and Vinnie's looks great with the SN95 springs that may be the way to go in your case.
Darren
If the springs from a sn95 can be used can the shocks be used with out the adapters?
The SN-95 shocks may just work with the spring swap. I use air shocks out back on the Sport. That way, when I'm hauling groceries in the car, I can level it out easily. Plus, they seem to work great in any kind of driving I do. But for the springs, they are great, and the ride quality is still as it should be.
Cool Thanks
As in rear SN-95 shocks?
No, they are too short. Same as the Fox Mustang ones. Tbird rear shocks are almost 3" longer than Mustang shocks fully extended. Even lowering the car is not enough to make it work properly.
Well, there's the answer. I had wondered about that in the past, but decided to just keep the air shocks for now. Eventually, I'll upgrade to some quality Mustang shocks, but I have other things for the Sport pending.
I run fox steeda mustang springs all around. The ride is stiff but it does work.
(http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/50tbrd88/car%20stuff/tbird52410.jpg)
I'll post in here when I get my SN95 springs in...and the engine too, just so we have a fair idea of what the actual stance will be.
Hey, I thought you got rid of your car?
Hey, look at your calendar.
;)
Out of sheer morbid curiosity, did the springs you put in still have the part # tag? You'd be surprised how many different spring setups were available from the factory for a specific body frame with regards to spring rate and height. Much of it depends on how the car was optioned from the factory. A fully optioned V8 with an auto is gonna have different springs then a stripped down manual trans equipped version. I'm discovering just how valuable the info on the door tag actually is.
Yeah, I had wondered myself if there were several different spring rates for various-equipped cars...the springs I grabbed were from a 3.8 '96 Stang hardtop with a t5. I'm expecting a little drop, 1.5" would be great, but I'll take what I can get.
FWIW, compared to the stock V8/TC front springs, the Stang units are roughly an inch and a quarter shorter in uncompressed height...obviously that doesn't mean jack, though I hope once installed and with all the weight on, they do what I want 'em to do.
not to hijack the post but i wonder what lowering springs for the mach 1 would do i was thinking about eibach pro kit 1.1 /1 inch drop
Mach 1 springs will drop a Fox Bird pretty nicely...I think ThunderChicken had a set on his...
I think that means a 1.1-1" drop from the stock Mach springs. Which already drop our cars about 2".
so sn-95 springs will work. can i still use the original struts cuz i put them in 2 years ago? i would hate to have to take them out.
Yep, I'm still using my stock struts. Although I think it's time for new ones. the current struts seem like they may be getting a little soft.
Anytime you lower a vehicle a noticeable amount you should look at using dampers that will put up with more abuse. An inexpensive yet quality option are the Koni STR.T's
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetails.php?PartID=725&CategoryID=0&ModelID=22
I think Chuck may have seen through me...lol
I'm gonna use the SN95 struts I got from Vinnie awhile back...I daresay they came from the same car as the 5 lug stuff, Vinnie?
When they go bad, I'm gonna look into Koni's or the like.
I'm kinda wondering about the rear stance on mine, I have fox Mustang shocks now, and the shock adaptors by Chuck, and the fox shocks are pulled tight, and the rear seems low...hopefully the new springs will help that a bit, but I do realize I need longer shocks out back, all the same.