about some lowering springs
Eibachs, Tokicos, RB bar
Last week I also finished installing Prokit springs, Illuminas, and a RB front anti roll bar on my 84SE.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but I can honestly say between these upgrades, and finally getting my 6 port actuators working while using a header, that I've fallen in love w/ my car all over again.
The front end dropped a bit, and the rear stayed at the same height. I set the struts at 3, and the rear shocks at 2, and can this baby ever take a hard corner now, woo hoo! Not as good as an FD, (higher center of gravity, smaller tires, no rack & pinion and has a live rear axle), but I'm confident it will now hang w/, or leave behind lot's of newer cars nonetheless.
One thing though, I told my wife she better wear her sport bra now when she rides w/ me in it.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but I can honestly say between these upgrades, and finally getting my 6 port actuators working while using a header, that I've fallen in love w/ my car all over again.
The front end dropped a bit, and the rear stayed at the same height. I set the struts at 3, and the rear shocks at 2, and can this baby ever take a hard corner now, woo hoo! Not as good as an FD, (higher center of gravity, smaller tires, no rack & pinion and has a live rear axle), but I'm confident it will now hang w/, or leave behind lot's of newer cars nonetheless.
One thing though, I told my wife she better wear her sport bra now when she rides w/ me in it.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area
I have suspension technique springs (baby blue) and tokico adjustible shocks on 15" 195/50/15 rims/tires. I'll post some pics asap after work. There is a slight 1/2"-1" wheel gap but the car doesn't really appear to be lowered so much as it just looks squatty.
I have never felt this was asthetically pleasing as I like the tucked look but it doesn't look bad.
As for people talking about stock springs sagging more than a lowering or race spring, I have to wonder why such **** was ever put on these cars in the first place. Springs should show an initial break in sag period, then that is it. Shocks will sag but you are supposed to replace those.
As for cutting your springs, it's far too complex to calculate the rates/jounce you require to make it worth your time and no fun trying to cut them evenly. At the most, I would consider cutting 1 coil. I had a compact car with cut springs before. It was done by someone who made a living modifying suspension and he offered to cut or heat the spring to achieve desired height. Cutting keeps the strength of the spring but since the spring looses its ENDS, it is subject to fall out of the boot when you go up a driveway diagnol to save your bumper. I also had a bad bounce when traveling over things like bridges, but I went 3-1/2". Again, spring rate is hard to determine when cutting or heating.
Heating the springs, is significantly easier, but weakens the coils (heat tempered) you heat. The spring is still capable of the same length so it will not fall out, but it is subject to break. I have never seen a case where the springs have broken, but that guy I had do my car told me about it. Regardless, our springs are cheap at junkyards. If you have a torch or know someone, I would try this first to see what you are going for. If you plan to buy new springs anyway, you will be taking the old ones off, atleast you can see what it is like and determine the height you want to try and purchase. Then take em off and discard them during the replacement.
PS, I must warn you, my car is probably lowered another 5" than normal due to dirt colleting on it since it is out of commision until my oil cooler hoses arrive. Not sure how much the spider webs add.
I have never felt this was asthetically pleasing as I like the tucked look but it doesn't look bad.
As for people talking about stock springs sagging more than a lowering or race spring, I have to wonder why such **** was ever put on these cars in the first place. Springs should show an initial break in sag period, then that is it. Shocks will sag but you are supposed to replace those.
As for cutting your springs, it's far too complex to calculate the rates/jounce you require to make it worth your time and no fun trying to cut them evenly. At the most, I would consider cutting 1 coil. I had a compact car with cut springs before. It was done by someone who made a living modifying suspension and he offered to cut or heat the spring to achieve desired height. Cutting keeps the strength of the spring but since the spring looses its ENDS, it is subject to fall out of the boot when you go up a driveway diagnol to save your bumper. I also had a bad bounce when traveling over things like bridges, but I went 3-1/2". Again, spring rate is hard to determine when cutting or heating.
Heating the springs, is significantly easier, but weakens the coils (heat tempered) you heat. The spring is still capable of the same length so it will not fall out, but it is subject to break. I have never seen a case where the springs have broken, but that guy I had do my car told me about it. Regardless, our springs are cheap at junkyards. If you have a torch or know someone, I would try this first to see what you are going for. If you plan to buy new springs anyway, you will be taking the old ones off, atleast you can see what it is like and determine the height you want to try and purchase. Then take em off and discard them during the replacement.
PS, I must warn you, my car is probably lowered another 5" than normal due to dirt colleting on it since it is out of commision until my oil cooler hoses arrive.
Not sure how much the spider webs add.
Last edited by Jason Guthrie; Jul 20, 2002 at 01:36 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg,Manitoba
Originally posted by Felix Wankel
RB springs/Tokico blues with 0 miles on them in the pictures.
I think I'd like the back to be lower, however I still have only put like 5 miles on them, so maybe they will compress with driving like my ST springs did on the FC
RB springs/Tokico blues with 0 miles on them in the pictures.
I think I'd like the back to be lower, however I still have only put like 5 miles on them, so maybe they will compress with driving like my ST springs did on the FC
Originally posted by Montrealer
are those externaly ajustable konis? & they fit the stock struts?
are those externaly ajustable konis? & they fit the stock struts?
I like the look of the tokicos, it gives the car a good stance.
Im probably going to order those up soon.
RP has a good package deal for illumina shocks and springs for like $600
Im probably going to order those up soon.
RP has a good package deal for illumina shocks and springs for like $600
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
[For Sale] Scratch & Dent, Used, and Open-Box Sale!
SakeBomb Garage
Vendor Classifieds
5
Aug 9, 2018 05:54 PM