Front dampers Spit / GT6

[Pat.Catchpole@netc.co.uk (Pat Catchpole)]

     Hello everyone
     
     I came to rebuild the front suspension units of my Spit 2000 project 
     yesterday.  I previously thought that I could re-use the Spax dampers 
     that the Spit 1500 had previously used, but knew that the springs must 
     be changed for GT6 ones to cope with the heavier engine.  I 
     disassembled the old spring/damper assemblies (using the proper tool!) 
     and immediately noticed that the Spit springs were about 1 1/2" longer 
     than the replacement GT6 ones I recently bought (I got stiffened but 
     not lowered ones from John Kipping)
     
     Is this correct?
     
     Are the front dampers different in length between the Spit & GT6?
     
     I can just about reassemble the springs and dampers without the spring 
     compressor - so there is basically no preload on the springs.  This 
     cannot be right can it?
     
     TIA
     
     Pat