If I remember right, as I reinstalled the stock spit springs last weekend,
they were indeed 13 coils, counting the ends as the final coils. The
heavier springs will certainly be not detriment to your spits handling,
since the heavier springs will definitely work to decrease some of the
horrible oversteer the spit tends to have at higher cornering loads. You
could even consider using the uprated competition springs (multiple possible
rates) or the GT6 springs (increases spring rate approx. 50 lbs/in. but by
no means bone jarring), since you will have to cut them down anyway, if you
want to maintain stock ride height.
I have found that to be the greatest conundrum in finding new
springs...compensating for the loss of spring sag with loads as the spring
rate is increased. How much shorter do you need to go as the spring rate
increases...
So, finally, I say to use the 1500 or gt6 springs with a friend's press or a
spring compressor. Find the ride height at full length, figure out how much
lower you would like to be and then go and hack off that much spring. It
will sit crooked on the perch, but that should be okay. OR, you could go to
a spring shop and tell them how much needs to be taken off of the spring and
they should be able to cut it at the proper angle to sit flat on the spring
perch.
hope this helps,
jim
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 22:11:47 -0700
From: "MikeC" <mikech@sprynet.com>
Subject: front springs
I just got some new springs for my 64 Spitfire from Spitbits. The car has a
72 1296 cc engine in it, so in talking with Spitbits they suggested I put in
a set of springs from a 1500 model because the 1296 engine is slightly
heavier than the 1147. Looking at the new springs today I can count 13
coils, the old springs have only 10 coils. The coils look like they are
the same diameter. It seems like the front of the car will be raised an inch
or more. Has anyone done this swap before? What were the results? Can
anyone with a 1500 count how many coils your springs have. I don't want to
raise the front height any, in fact I don't want it any lower either. I
guess I could cut the spring but then the cut end will not be flat. Any
suggestions?
MikeC
BTW: the springs are marked "Spitfire 1500 - 75 on".
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