Getting lowering springs, I think

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Getting lowering springs, I think

May 02, 2006, 11:48:03 PM

Hey all,

I am pretty much determined to get a custom set of springs for my 88 XR7, they will be stock spring rate but will make the car sit 1.5" lower. Coupla questions:

1. Will this lowering mess up my KYB shocks/struts travel length?
2. What is the stock spring rates front and back for an 88 XR7?

Thanks!

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #1 – May 04, 2006, 01:35:58 AM

Lowering your car will reduce the amount of shock travel by the same amount that you lower it. I.e. 1.5" lower = 1.5" less travel and 1.5" closer to bottoming your strut. Yes, it is possible to destroy your struts if you bottom tham hard. There are 2 things you can do to gain back some of the lost travel. You can use a shorter strut or raise the strut mount with camber plates and spacers or some combination of the two.

Apparently the SN95 strut is slightly shorter than ours and the Fox Mustang strut is a full 1" shorter than that. So for 1.5" lower I'd use a fox mustang strut if you have the right spindle for it.

I've got the Turbocoupe spring rates somewhere... I'll post 'em if I can find them. I think the XR7's had the same springs.

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #2 – May 04, 2006, 08:36:38 AM

I never had an issue on my cars with lowering them and the front struts. I've used Fox, Tbird and SN-95 struts. 1.5" isn't too low really. However, I also up the spring rates at the same time to at least 650#. The stock rate is just too soft.

Front rates are progressive 425-525#, rears on average are progressive 200-300#.

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #3 – May 04, 2006, 11:50:01 AM

Thanks for the info guys, very much appreciated. :)

I'll stick with stock rates, the main reason I'm doing this is for a better handling next time I open track with very little sacrifice in my current pothole soaking abilities.

That, and my 1983 Continental will use my current spings and sit juuuuuust right. Handle well with stock XR7 rate springs and Konis all around.

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #4 – May 04, 2006, 12:06:54 PM

With a good strut the stiffer springs shouldn't hurt your ride too much, and the stiffer springs bring on most of the handling benefits in my opinion. But it will affect ride SOME in harshness, so it's still up to you in the end. If you're looking for lower at a similar to stock rate maybe you should look at the 'E' springs (I think that's the right number) as seen on Damon Cuccia's car here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/539330/1

Maybe that's too much lowering, but they're aren't extremely stiff springs, at least not compared to TC/XR7 springs.

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #5 – May 04, 2006, 10:32:19 PM

Yeah that car is sweet, but sits too low for a Houston Cougar. :)

The car rides firm enough with KYBs, and with those springs and a 1" rear swaybar I think it'll be good enough for autocrossing duty. It just rolls and understeers waaaay too much right now. The roll I can live with, and lowering will help a little.

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #6 – May 05, 2006, 03:47:59 PM

Allrighty, 1.5" drop springs ordered, about $250 including shipping. Also ordered MM's 1" rear swaybar. Hopefully it will all work out as well as planned. The current springs and swaybar will really make my '83 Conti into a beast.

Fingers crossed!:dunce:

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #7 – May 05, 2006, 04:56:59 PM

Just out of curiousity, who did you buy them through? Thanks.

Getting lowering springs, I think

Reply #8 – May 05, 2006, 08:24:36 PM

Got them from Coil Spring Specialties: http://www.coilsprings.com/

My bro got a pair of 2" drop springs for the front of our '78 Mark V, don't have an after picture, but here's before:

Not only does the nose sit where it should now, the handling got a lot better with ZERO change to the Lincoln ride. I'm pretty confident these guys will come through again.